Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in British Columbia
We are hosting a Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative information session. Join us to learn more.
- Date: November 5, 2026
- Time: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm PT
- Register by 12:00 pm PT on November 4: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e2c3b5e7-b560-41af-9167-f60222a62f08@807958b8-f64c-4304-ab43-16ddee8ba0bd?source=copyLinkLegacyShareEventDialog
At a glance
| Status | Currently accepting applications from businesses seeking funding beginning in 2026-27. Intake is open until 12:00 pm Pacific time on November 23, 2026. Interested non-profit organizations can contact PacifiCan at PacifiCan.RAII-IRIA@pacifican.gc.ca. Future intakes will be available for non-profit organizations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for investments starting after April 1, 2027. |
|---|---|
| Funding per recipient | Businesses: $200,000 to $5 million in PacifiCan contributions per project. |
| Type of funding | Businesses: repayable contributions of up to 50% of eligible project costs. |
| Eligible organizations |
Adoption projects: incorporated businesses operating in British Columbia for at least three years with 5 to 500 full-time equivalent employees. Commercialization projects: incorporated businesses operating in British Columbia for at least one year with 1 to 500 full-time equivalent employees. |
Overview
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how businesses operate, innovate and compete. Supporting responsible AI adoption and commercialization will improve productivity, grow Canadian companies, strengthen the economy, and help share the benefits and opportunities created by AI across regions and communities.
The Government of Canada is investing an additional $500 million over five years in the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII), bringing the total investment to $700 million. Delivered by Canada’s regional development agencies, RAII is part of AI for All, Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. PacifiCan is delivering RAII in British Columbia.
PacifiCan is focusing early investments on businesses. We are currently accepting applications from businesses seeking funding beginning in 2026-27. The intake is open until 12:00 pm Pacific time on November 23, 2026.
Future intakes will be available for not-for-profit organizations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for investments starting after April 1, 2027.
Objectives
The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) in British Columbia provides funding to:
- help businesses and organizations adopt and integrate AI to improve productivity, competitiveness and resilience
- help Canadian AI companies bring their products and services to market and scale in Canada and globally
- strengthen the organizations and networks that help businesses adopt and commercialize AI
Priorities
The Government of Canada’s national AI Strategy, AI for All, identified five national priority sectors:
- Health and life sciences
- Energy and natural resources
- Transportation
- Agriculture
- Manufacturing and robotics
Additional areas of priority include projects that support Canadian innovation and content through the use of made-in-Canada AI solutions, or that strengthen Canadian AI capabilities and sovereignty and projects that advance inclusive growth by promoting AI adoption among Indigenous peoples and youth.
In addition to these national areas of priority, PacifiCan’s strategic plan describes PacifiCan’s goal to build enduring prosperity for British Columbians and Canadians and identifies three priority areas:
- Invest in B.C.’s Strengths: Projects from businesses in one of the following sectors:
- Oceans and Agriculture Products and Technologies
- Digital, AI, and Quantum Technologies
- Advanced Materials and Manufacturing
- Clean Technologies
- Critical Minerals, Energy, Trade and Logistics
- Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing
- Shipbuilding and Aerospace
- Supply Canada: Projects that help connect businesses and communities to opportunities arising from generational investments in major projects, strategic sectors and domestic trade
- Grow Exports: Projects that leverage B.C.’s position in the Pacific to help businesses diversify markets and increase exports
In addition to alignment with program objectives and these priorities, all projects will be assessed based on economic benefits, capacity to execute, funding leveraged from other sources, and market demand.
Related links
- Canada’s new national artificial intelligence strategy: The AI for All Strategy targets an additional $200 billion of economic growth to create 250,000 new AI-related jobs over the next five years.
