Updated June 2026 · Verified against Scale AI guidelines
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Scale AI Supercluster

Scale AI
Maximum Funding
Varies (project-based funding)
Ongoing
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Hard
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Growing
First-Timers
Co-Funding
40%
Scale AI Supercluster offers funding that varies by project. Canada's AI Global Innovation Cluster, providing non-repayable co-investment funding covering up to 40% of eligible costs (50% in Quebec) for collaborative, industry-led consortia deploying AI across healthcare, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, retail, transportation, and infrastructure. The program covers up to 40% of eligible costs. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

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Program Description

Canada's AI Global Innovation Cluster, providing non-repayable co-investment funding covering up to 40% of eligible costs (50% in Quebec) for collaborative, industry-led consortia deploying AI across healthcare, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, retail, transportation, and infrastructure. Projects require a consortium of at least two companies (including one SME and one technology adopter). A startup-accessible Acceleration stream provides up to $50,000 through certified partner accelerators.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a consortium of at least two Canadian companies (minimum one SME and one AI technology adopter or solution provider)
  • Projects must deploy artificial intelligence solutions — pure research is not eligible
  • Consortium must include at least one Canadian technology provider and one business applying AI in their operations
  • Funding covers up to 40% of eligible project costs (50% in Quebec)
  • Acceleration stream: startups can access up to $50,000 through certified Scale AI partner accelerators
  • Project must have a clear commercial application in an eligible sector (healthcare, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, retail, or transportation)
Provinces
Industries
Technology AI Supply Chain
Business Stage
Growth Expansion

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Hard
Competition
High
First-Timer
Not rated

Funding Details

Amount
Varies (project-based funding)
Type
Grant
Level
Federal
Co-Funding
Up to 40% of eligible costs
Deadline
Ongoing

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
High
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Good
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win Scale AI Supercluster

Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.

$19 covers this one program. $39/mo covers every program, plus the workspace that walks you through each application.

How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

Scale AI has quietly evolved from a supply-chain-only cluster into Canada's broadest applied AI co-investment platform -- if your project uses AI in healthcare, energy, agriculture, manufacturing, or public services, you now qualify.

Premium See what trips up most applicants for this program — and how to avoid it.

Rejection Pitfalls 10

  • Solo applicant without a consortium -- minimum 2 companies (1 SME + 1 adopter) required
+9 more pitfalls
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Success Profile

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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Attend a Scale AI information webinar Register for and attend one of Scale AI's weekly project webinars (Wednesdays and Thursdays at 3:00 PM EST) to validate that your project concept meets the selection criteria and to meet the investment team. This is the mandatory first step before submitting a proposal.

Required Documents 9

Statement of Interest (SOI) with project summary and eligibility confirmation
Full project proposal with detailed objectives, milestones, and timelines

Eligible Expenses 5

Ineligible Expenses 5

Deadline Notes

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Applying for Scale AI Supercluster? Our Grant Proposal Template ($19) mirrors the section structure Canadian reviewers actually score on. Or get all 4 templates in the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27) →

Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

SR&ED Tax Credits NRC IRAP Regional Development Agencies -- FedDev Ontario, CED Quebec, PacifiCan, PrairiesCan, ACOA, CanNor Mitacs DIGITAL -- Canada's Digital Technology Cluster NGen -- Next Generation Manufacturing Canada Provincial innovation programs Pan-Canadian AI Strategy / CIFAR
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Low Risk

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How Scale AI Supercluster Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
Scale AI Supercluster Varies (project-based funding) Hard Reimbursement Ongoing
NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program $100,000–$500,000 Hard Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Ongoing
Mitacs Accelerate $15,000 per internship unit Easy Advance Payment Ongoing
Strategic Response Fund (formerly Str... Minimum $10 million contribution Hard Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Ongoing — continuous...
CanExport SMEs Up to $50,000 Moderate Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Applications accepted...

Related Programs

Other programs you might be eligible for

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Scale AI Supercluster

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Can I apply as a solo founder?
No — requires a consortium of at least two Canadian companies (one SME and one AI adopter). Solo applicants are automatically rejected. The December 2025 round had zero solo projects.
What's the typical grant size for a project?
Industry-led projects average $2.9M total value (Dec 2025), with Scale AI covering 40% ($1.16M). Quebec projects average $4.3M total ($2.15M Scale AI share). Acceleration stream: up to $50,000 for startups.
Do I need to pay upfront for costs?
No — funding is reimbursed after project expenses are incurred. You must provide proof of payment and maintain 60%+ private co-investment (2:1 ratio).
Why do most applications fail?
Most fail due to missing consortium requirements (no SME or adopter), basic research instead of applied AI deployment, or insufficient private co-investment (can't show 60%+ cost share).
Can I stack this with SR&ED?
Yes — SR&ED can cover eligible R&D not funded by Scale AI, as long as costs aren't double-counted. For example, R&D on AI algorithms can be claimed under SR&ED while Scale AI funds deployment.

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