FedDev Ontario Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) for Southern Ontario Organizations
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
The non-repayable side of FedDev Ontario's Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative funds established southern Ontario organizations up to 90% of project costs. The AI Adoption stream ($125,000 to $5 million) helps incorporated not-for-profits, charities, First Nations, Metis or Inuit not-for-profits and municipal governments integrate AI into their own operations; the AI Ecosystem stream ($125,000 to $10 million) funds incorporated not-for-profits that help southern Ontario businesses adopt, commercialize and scale AI. Applicants need at least 5 FTEs and $1 million in annual revenue or operating expenses. Applications close January 19, 2027 (November 24, 2026 for projects starting before March 31, 2027).
Eligibility Requirements
- Located and operating in southern Ontario at the time of application
- AI Adoption stream: an incorporated not-for-profit organization (including charities), a First Nations, Metis or Inuit not-for-profit organization, or a municipal government
- AI Adoption stream: annual revenue or operating expenses of at least $1 million, at least 3 years of operations as a legal entity, and at least 5 FTE employees
- AI Ecosystem stream: an incorporated not-for-profit organization or a First Nations, Metis or Inuit not-for-profit organization, with at least 5 FTEs and $1 million in annual revenue or operating expenses
- AI Ecosystem stream: a strong track record of serving multiple businesses or ecosystem participants in southern Ontario, the capacity to lead a multi-stakeholder project, and an IP policy
- Demonstrate a commitment to the responsible development and use of AI and not infringe IP rights
- Apply to one stream only; an organization cannot be funded at the same time to adopt AI internally and to deliver an ecosystem project
- FedDev says smaller-scale, volunteer-based or community-focused organizations are not the intended recipients
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- $125K to $10M by streamNon-repayable. AI Adoption stream: $125,000 to $5 million per project. AI Ecosystem stream: $125,000 to $10 million per project. FedDev Ontario covers up to 90% of costs and the applicant and other sources at least 10%; preference may go to projects where FedDev's share is 50% or less.
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 90% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- January 19, 2027 at 4:59 p.m. EST (apply by November 24, 2026 if the project and costs start before March 31, 2027)
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Difficult — significant preparation needed
High competition — many applicants
Complex — detailed documentation needed
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipCheck the size floor first: 5 FTEs and $1 million in annual revenue or operating expenses, and three years as a legal entity for adoption.
Rejection Pitfalls 7
- Under 5 FTEs or under $1 million in annual revenue or operating expenses
Success Profile
Evaluation Criteria
Everything you need to win RAII
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 7 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 10-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- Your Application Game Plan — the print-ready PDF the preview below describes
- 5-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 10
Eligible Expenses 9
Ineligible Expenses 6
Intake Periods
Deadline Notes
Ineligible Organizations
- 4 more application steps
- 8 more required documents
- 9 eligible expenses
- 6 ineligible expenses
- Intake periods
- Deadline notes
- Ineligible organizations
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Stacking partner data not yet available.
Clawback Risk
Low RiskHow RAII Compares
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about RAII