Updated July 2026 · Verified against Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) guidelines
Grant Federal Active

Industrial AI Readiness Program

Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen)
Maximum Funding
Up to $15,000
Applications accepted until funds expire; reviewed on a first-come, first-ser...
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Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
Varies
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Co-Funding
Varies
Industrial AI Readiness Program provides Up to $15,000 reimbursement for professional fees from AI service providers. NRC-IRAP-supported reimbursement program for Canadian manufacturers to engage AI service providers for readiness evaluations and implementation plans. Applications accepted until funds expire; reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis; projects must conclude with final reports by end of December 2026.
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Program Description

NRC-IRAP-supported reimbursement program for Canadian manufacturers to engage AI service providers for readiness evaluations and implementation plans. Covers up to $15,000 in professional fees.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Be an NRC-IRAP-eligible small or medium-sized manufacturer incorporated and operating in Canada
  • Have fewer than 500 employees
  • Obtain a reference from a local NRC-IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor
  • Select an AI partner from Canada's AI4Manufacturing cluster
  • Focus on feasibility studies and implementation plans rather than direct AI system deployment
Provinces
Industries
Business Stage
Growth Established

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
Low
First-Timer
Not rated

Funding Details

Amount
Up to $15,000 reimbursement for professional fees from AI service providers
Type
Grant
Level
Federal
Deadline
Applications accepted until funds expire; reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis; projects must conclude with final reports by end of December 2026

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Low
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Varies
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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Insider Tip

Obtain a reference from your local NRC-IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor and select an AI partner from Canada's AI4Manufacturing cluster before applying; funding is reimbursement after completion, not upfront.

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Application Playbook

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Required Documents 5

NRC-IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor reference
AI4Manufacturing partner agreement
Readiness evaluation and implementation plan
Proof of incorporation
Invoices or fee estimates for reimbursement

Deadline Notes

Applications are received until funds expire and reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Projects must conclude with final reports filed by the end of December 2026, which effectively caps how late a project can start. Apply via an Expression of Interest, with a reference email from an NRC-IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor.

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Funding Stack Strategy

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How Industrial AI Readiness Program Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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