This program is currently paused. Rolling submissions with no fixed deadline (when program is accepting applications). As of March 2026, the Customized AI Training program is NOT currently accepting new applications.
Updated March 2026 · Verified against Scale AI (Global Innovation Cluster) guidelines
✓ First-Timer Friendly Reimbursement Est. 2018
Grant Federal Paused

Scale AI — Training Program

Scale AI (Global Innovation Cluster)
Maximum Funding
Up to $1,000,000
Paused — not currently accepting applications
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
100%
Scale AI — Training Program provides Up to $1,000,000 per project. Non-repayable contributions up to $1M for Canadian companies to train employees in AI and machine learning for supply chain applications. Paused — not currently accepting applications. (As of March 2026, verified against Scale AI (Global Innovation Cluster) program guidelines)

Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

Free

Program Description

Non-repayable contributions up to $1M for Canadian companies to train employees in AI and machine learning for supply chain applications. Covers custom training including lectures, coaching, workshops, ideation. Reimbursement-based. Minimum project cost $5,000.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Canadian companies training employees in Canada
  • Training in AI/ML for supply chain applications
  • Must include at least one SME (<500 employees)
  • Minimum project cost $5,000
  • Training must be incremental AI knowledge
Provinces
All Provinces
Industries
Technology Manufacturing Retail Services Healthcare
Business Stage
Growth Established Expansion

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
Moderate
Est. Hours
20h
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
Up to $1,000,000 per project
Type
Grant
Level
Federal
Co-Funding
Up to 100% of eligible costs
Deadline
Paused — not currently accepting applications

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Hybrid
Competition
Moderate
Effort
~20 hours
Approval
Moderate
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
Premium See how this program compares on approval odds, difficulty, and competition — so you know if it’s worth your time.
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Approval likelihood, realistic amounts, competition level, and what winners look like
Consultants charge $500–$2,000 per program. This Playbook is $19.
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win Scale AI — Training Program — $19

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

Consultants charge $2,000–$5,000 per program. This Playbook is $19. Yours forever.
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Applying for Scale AI — Training Program? 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) →

How to Win

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

Premium
Insider Tip

Training spanning multiple companies in a supply chain scores higher than single-company programs. 30% of evaluation is strategic alignment.

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

Success Profile

Mid-to-large Canadian company with AI adoption roadmap, training 20-200 employees; collaborative projects with SME supply chain partners.

Premium See what successful applicants for this program actually look like.

Evaluation Criteria

Projects evaluated by Scale AI selection committee on: (1) Strategic alignment with Scale AI roadmap and AI for supply chain mission (30% weight), (2) Training content quality — must be custom-developed AI/ML training, not generic, (3) Ecosystem impact — collaborative multi-company projects scoring highest, (4) SME participation — projects must include at least one SME (<500 employees), (5) Incremental AI knowledge — training must advance participants beyond current capabilities. No pre-approved provider list; companies choose their own training provider.

Premium See exactly what reviewers score on — so you know where to focus.
Don’t waste 20 hours on a preventable rejection
Common rejection pitfalls, what winners look like, and exactly what reviewers score on
Paid grant writers quote $2,000–$5,000 per program. Start with the $19 Playbook first.
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Application Playbook

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

Premium 8 steps 5 docs

Application Steps

1 Attend Information Webinar Join Scale AI's weekly information webinar (Thursdays at 3 PM ET) to understand program requirements, eligible training, and the application process.
2 Select Training Provider and Design Curriculum Choose a training provider (no pre-approved list) and collaborate on designing a customized AI/ML training program specifically for your company. Get a course plan or service offer.
3 Submit Eligibility Request Fill out the eligibility request form on Scale AI's website. Include the course plan or service offer. Submit via the Scale AI portal.
4 Await Qualification Decision Scale AI reviews your eligibility request and contacts you. If your project qualifies, you receive instructions for the full application.
5 Complete Full Application Submit the detailed application with training curriculum, participant roster, project management plan, budget breakdown, and impact assessment.
6 Selection Committee Review Scale AI's selection committee evaluates the application. Timeline: 6-10 weeks total from initial submission to decision.
7 Contract Signing and Training Execution If approved, sign a contract with Scale AI confirming the grant amount. DO NOT begin training before receiving formal approval. Execute the training program as planned.
8 Submit Reimbursement Documents After training completion, pay the provider invoice in full. Submit final service offer, invoice, participant list, and final amount to Scale AI for reimbursement.

Required Documents 5

✓ Training curriculum design
✓ Participant roster
✓ Project management plan
✓ Budget breakdown
✓ Impact assessment

Eligible Expenses 6

  • Training preparation costs (curriculum design and customization by the training provider)
  • Training delivery costs (instructor fees, materials, platform/venue costs)
  • Training follow-up costs (assessment, evaluation, post-training coaching)
  • Associated project expenses directly connected to the training (e.g., datasets for hands-on exercises)
  • Customized course development adapted specifically for the company
  • Facilitation and coaching costs for applied learning components

Ineligible Expenses 6

  • Publicly available off-the-shelf training programs not customized for the company
  • Training focused on how to use existing AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot) rather than building AI capabilities
  • Employee salaries and wages during training hours
  • Travel and accommodation for participants
  • Hardware and software purchases
  • General business consulting not classified as training

Intake Periods

Rolling submissions with no fixed deadline (when program is accepting applications). As of March 2026, the Customized AI Training program is NOT currently accepting new applications. Program updates will be posted on the Scale AI website. Monitor for reopening announcements.

Deadline Notes

The Customized Artificial Intelligence Training program is not currently accepting applications. Program updates will be posted on scaleai.ca. Attend weekly info webinar (Thursdays 3 PM ET) to stay informed about reopening.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

  • Municipal, provincial, or federal government departments and agencies
  • Organizations not based in Canada or not training employees working in Canada
  • Companies with no Canadian operations
Premium Get the step-by-step application guide — documents, timeline, and what to prepare.

Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

Premium 3 partners

Compatible Programs

Canada Job Grant (provincial variants: OJEG, Canada-Alberta JTG, etc.) NRC IRAP — Skills Development Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) — Workforce Development Programs
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Low Risk
Premium See which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get.
See your total funding potential across 3 programs
Stacking amounts, clawback details, government stacking limits, and tax implications
One avoided clawback typically outweighs the $19 Playbook cost by 50–100×.
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How Scale AI — Training Program Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

Free
Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
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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 — Training Program

Free
Can I apply if I'm a sole proprietor?
No. Must be incorporated Canadian company with at least one SME (under 500 employees) in your training cohort. Sole proprietors don't qualify as legal entities for this grant.
What's the typical award amount?
Most awards range $50,000-$500,000. The $1M max is rare — only for large-scale, multi-company supply chain training programs with strategic alignment.
Is the program currently open for applications?
No — applications are paused. Check scaleai.ca for updates. Weekly info webinars (Thurs 3 PM ET) provide the latest program status.
Do I need matching funds?
No matching required. The grant is reimbursement-based — you pay upfront for training, then get reimbursed for eligible costs.
Why do most applications get rejected?
Common rejections: training not AI/ML for supply chain, single-company focus without SME partner, or general business skills instead of AI-specific training.

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