Program
Provincial
Between Intakes
IVADO Scientist in Action — AI Intern Subsidy for Startups
IVADO (Institut de valorisation des données) — Montreal, co-funded with Mitacs
Maximum Funding
$3,750 startup cost for 4-month intern (valued at $15,000);...
Between intakes — 2026 cohort closed January 12, 2026; next call expected Q4 ...
Difficulty
Easy
Payment
In Kind
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
75%
IVADO Scientist in Action — AI Intern Subsidy for Startups provides up to $3,750 startup cost for 4-month intern (valued at $15,000); $11,250 for 6-month intern (valued at $30,000). IVADO and Mitacs co-fund master's-level AI interns placed at Quebec-based startups, reducing the startup's cost to $3,750 for a 4-month intern (valued at $15,000) or $11,250 for a 6-month intern (valued at $30,000). The program covers up to 75% of eligible costs. Between intakes — 2026 cohort closed January 12, 2026; next call expected Q4 2026 or Q1 2027.
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Eligibility & Details
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Program Description
IVADO and Mitacs co-fund master's-level AI interns placed at Quebec-based startups, reducing the startup's cost to $3,750 for a 4-month intern (valued at $15,000) or $11,250 for a 6-month intern (valued at $30,000). Startups must have fewer than 20 employees, belong to a recognized accelerator or incubator, and propose an AI-focused applied research project.
Eligibility Requirements
- Quebec-based startup at any stage (no revenue minimum stated)
- Fewer than 20 employees
- Must be part of or have completed a program from a recognized entrepreneurship support organization (accelerator or incubator) — OR demonstrate equivalent entrepreneurial maturity
- Must define a qualified AI-focused applied research project for the intern (machine learning, deep learning, NLP, computer vision, generative AI, data science, business intelligence)
- Must have qualified supervision capacity for the master's-level intern
- Must be able to pay the invoice upon receipt before the internship starts
- Must host a master's-level AI intern for the chosen duration — either 4 months full-time or 6 months part-time
Provinces
Industries
Business Stage
Quick Assessment
Difficulty
Easy
Competition
High
First-Timer
Friendly
Funding Details
- Amount
- $3,750 startup cost for 4-month intern (valued at $15,000); $11,250 for 6-month intern (valued at $30,000)
- Type
- Program
- Level
- Provincial
- Co-Funding
- Up to 75% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Between intakes — 2026 cohort closed January 12, 2026; next call expected Q4 2026 or Q1 2027
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Competition
High
Deadline
Between Intakes
Approval
Varies
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook
Everything you need to win IVADO Scientist in Action — AI Intern Subs...
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 6 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 4-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 6-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 3-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
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Insider TipThe project description is the application.
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Rejection Pitfalls 6
- More than 20 employees — startup is too large for this program
+5 more pitfalls
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Success Profile
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Evaluation Criteria
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
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6 steps
4 docs
Application Steps
1
Subscribe to IVADO newsletter Sign up at ivado.ca to be notified when the next call for projects opens — the window is typically only 6 weeks.
Required Documents 4
✓ Project description — AI focus area, specific research question or product challenge the intern will address
✓ Startup profile — stage, team, accelerator/incubator affiliation
Eligible Expenses 1
Ineligible Expenses 4
Intake Periods
Deadline Notes
Ineligible Organizations
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
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3 partners
Compatible Programs
Combined Funding Potential
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Clawback Risk
None Risk
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How IVADO Scientist in Action — AI Intern Subs... Compares
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about IVADO Scientist in Action — AI Intern Subs...
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How many startups are selected per cohort?
Only 15 startups are selected per annual cohort — 10 funded by IVADO/Mitacs and 5 additional spots funded by Squarepoint Capital. This is a highly competitive, limited-seat program.
Does my startup need to be incorporated?
Yes — you must be an operating Quebec-based startup, which typically implies incorporation. Unincorporated sole proprietors are not eligible for this program.
What if my startup has no accelerator affiliation?
You must demonstrate 'equivalent entrepreneurial maturity' — IVADO assesses this on a case-by-case basis. Having completed a well-known program (e.g., Founder Institute, Startup Weekend, a university-linked program) or having institutional backing may suffice. Contact IVADO before applying if uncertain.
Which universities does the intern come from?
Interns are master's students from IVADO-affiliated universities: Polytechnique, HEC Montréal, McGill (4-month option), Université de Montréal, or Université Laval (6-month option). You cannot bring an external candidate — the university matches a student to your project.
Can a startup in any industry apply?
Yes, any sector — including healthcare, manufacturing, finance, or retail — as long as the AI project itself is technically substantive (ML, NLP, computer vision, GenAI, data science) and requires master's-level expertise.
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Full Playbook: IVADO Scientist in Action — AI Intern Subs...
6 steps · 4 docs · reviewer insights