Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII)?

The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) helps businesses and organizations adopt and integrate artificial intelligence (AI), commercialize Canadian AI technologies, and strengthen the organizations and networks that support AI adoption and commercialization. As part of Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy: AI for All, RAII supports responsible AI adoption to improve productivity, competitiveness, resilience, and economic growth.

2. What is artificial intelligence (AI)?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to machine-based systems that perform tasks that would ordinarily require human intelligence, such as understanding language, learning from information, solving problems, generating content, making recommendations, or supporting decisions. AI includes technologies such as machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and generative AI.

3. What is not considered AI?

AI is often confused with automation. Automation relies on predefined configurations and rules to perform repetitive tasks and cannot learn or adapt. Technologies such as robotics, automation, data analytics, and rule-based systems are not considered AI on their own. However, these technologies may form part of an eligible project where AI capabilities are a central component of the proposed solution.

4. What is Responsible AI?

Responsible AI refers to the ethical design, development, deployment, and use of artificial intelligence systems. It emphasizes fairness, transparency, accountability, privacy, security, and inclusiveness to ensure AI technologies are trustworthy and beneficial.

5. What is this Call for Proposals intended to support?

ACOA is accepting Expressions of Interest through an Atlantic-wide Call for Proposals under RAII. The Call for Proposals is intended to identify high-impact AI projects with the strongest potential to improve productivity, competitiveness, commercialization outcomes, and business growth across Atlantic Canada.

The Call for Proposals focuses on:

• Stream 1: AI Adoption: Supporting Atlantic Canadian SMEs in adopting and integrating AI technologies to improve productivity, competitiveness, growth, and business performance.
• Stream 2: AI Commercialization and Scale-Up: Supporting the development, commercialization, market expansion, and scale-up of Canadian-developed AI products and services.

Eligible Applicants

6. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants are Atlantic Canadian small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) that meet existing eligibility requirements under the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program.

The Call for Proposals is open to both existing and new ACOA clients.

7. Do I need to be an existing ACOA client to apply?

No. The Call for Proposals is open to both existing and new ACOA clients that meet program eligibility requirements.

8. Are start-ups eligible?

Yes. AI start-ups may be eligible under the AI Commercialization and Scale-Up stream if they are developing, commercializing, or scaling Canadian AI products and services. Projects are generally expected to involve technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or higher.

9. Are Indigenous businesses eligible?

Yes. Indigenous-led businesses are eligible under RAII. Indigenous recipients may also be eligible for enhanced levels of support under program authorities.

10. Are not-for-profit organizations eligible?

This Call for Proposals is focused on Stream 1: AI Adoption and Stream 2: AI Commercialization and Scale-Up projects for SMEs.

Not-for-profit organizations are not eligible applicants under this Call for Proposals. Organizations with AI-related projects are encouraged to consult their program officer or, if they do not have a program officer, contact ACOA's Contact Network to discuss other potential ACOA funding opportunities.

Eligible Activities

11. What types of projects are eligible under Stream 1: AI Adoption?

Examples include:

• Adoption and integration of AI technologies to improve productivity, competitiveness, growth, and resilience
• AI implementation initiatives
• AI-enabled automation and predictive analytics projects
• Operational improvements
• Data modernization and process optimization
• Organizational readiness activities, including change management and workforce awareness
• Cybersecurity and responsible AI measures that support successful AI adoption

12. What types of projects are eligible under Stream 2: AI Commercialization and Scale-Up?

Examples include:

• Technology validation and demonstrations
• Pilot deployments
• Product refinement
• Customer validation
• Market readiness activities
• First commercial sales activities
• Customer acquisition and procurement readiness
• Intellectual property development
• Supply chain integration
• Scaling Canadian AI firms

13. What sectors are a priority?

Projects from all eligible sectors may be considered. Opportunities for AI adoption may be particularly relevant in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and agri-food, transportation and logistics, health and life sciences, energy and natural resources, oceans and aquaculture, seafood processing, clean technology, and other sectors important for economic growth in Atlantic Canada.

14. What projects are not intended for support?

The Call for Proposals is not intended to support:

• Routine software purchases
• Standard Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementations
• General IT modernization projects
• Training-only initiatives
• Projects where AI is not central to the proposed outcomes

15. What is Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6?

Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are used to assess the maturity of a technology.

TRL 6 means that a prototype or system has been demonstrated in a relevant environment and has moved beyond basic testing and validation.

16. What makes a strong project?

Strong projects typically demonstrate:

• A clearly defined business problem or market opportunity
• An identified AI solution
• Access to the data, expertise, and resources required to successfully implement the project
• Management commitment
• Implementation or commercialization capacity
• Measurable business outcomes

Financial Assistance

17. What financial support is available through the RAII Call for Proposals?

Support is available for high-impact AI projects that align with the objectives of the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative. Funding levels will vary based on project scope, applicant circumstances, available funding, and program requirements.

Funding requests will be assessed competitively, and support will be determined based on factors such as project merit, readiness, expected outcomes, risk profile, and alignment with program objectives. Contribution terms will be determined in accordance with RAII authorities and applicable program requirements.

18. What type of financial assistance is available?

Funding under this Call for Proposals is provided as a repayable contribution, subject to program terms and conditions. Repayment provisions will be discussed with applicants as part of the application and due diligence process.

19. Will all eligible projects receive funding?

No. This is a competitive Call for Proposals. Expressions of Interest will be assessed and ranked against common evaluation criteria. Only selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application.

20. How will projects be assessed

Projects will be assessed based on factors such as:

• Strategic alignment with RAII and Canada's AI Strategy
• Productivity, competitiveness, and business growth potential
• AI readiness and organizational capacity
• Commercialization and scale-up potential
• Financial viability and market validation, where applicable
• Operational efficiency and resilience benefits
• Responsible AI, privacy, cybersecurity, and data governance considerations
• Expected economic and ecosystem benefits to Atlantic Canada

Assessment criteria may be weighed differently depending on whether a project is submitted under the AI Adoption stream or the AI Commercialization and Scale-Up stream.

21. Is there a minimum project size?

Yes. Projects must request a minimum funding contribution of $1 million and demonstrate how AI will deliver measurable business outcomes.

Examples of measurable outcomes may include productivity gains, revenue growth, cost reductions, increased production capacity, successful commercialization, workforce augmentation, or improved business resilience.

Call for Proposals Process

22. What is the Call for Proposals process?

The Call for Proposals uses a two-stage competitive process. Organizations must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). Selected organizations will then be invited to submit a full funding application.

Step 1: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

Interested organizations must complete and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) during the intake period. Information about the Call for Proposals will be available on ACOA's website. Applicants will be directed to an online submission form where they can download the EOI template, complete it, and upload the completed form along with any supporting documents.

Step 2: Competitive Assessment

Following the submission deadline, all Expressions of Interest will undergo a competitive assessment against established evaluation criteria. Only selected organizations will be invited to proceed to the next stage of the process. Receipt of an EOI does not constitute approval for funding.

Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee that a project will be invited to submit a full application.

Step 3: Invitation to Submit a Full Application

Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full funding application through MyACOA.

23. What are the key dates?

Milestone	Date
Call for Proposals Launch	October 13, 2026
Expression of Interest Deadline	November 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (ADT)

24. Where can I get more information?

If you think your project may be eligible, complete the Expression of Interest form through ACOA's Call for Proposals process. Additional information is available through ACOA's website and regional offices.