Funding Programs / RAII
Prairies Economic Development Canada

Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII)

Federal support for AI adoption and commercialization across the Prairies, including applications of AI in energy and agriculture.

Who is eligible
Prairie businesses, organizations, and communities
What it funds
AI adoption, development, and commercialization
Best fit
Applied AI with commercial outcomes
Intake
Continuous EOI intake until December 31, 2028 (or until funds are committed). Contributions $250K to $5M. Projects complete by March 31, 2029.
About the Program

AI funding for projects that leave the lab

RAII rewards applied AI with a business case behind it. Reviewers look for real operational problems, credible technology partners, and a path to commercial use.

Where RAII fits

  • AI systems applied to energy, agriculture, and operations
  • Indigenous-led AI initiatives with data sovereignty built in
  • Research partnerships with institutes and universities
  • Commercialization pathways from pilot to product

From our work. We prepared a RAII expression of interest for an Indigenous-led AI initiative, with research partnership pathways explored alongside leading machine learning institutes.

The sister stream: Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE)

PrairiesCan's Regional Innovation Ecosystems program funds the organizations that build innovation capacity across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Not-for-profits, post-secondary institutions, incubators, and Indigenous organizations are eligible, and projects that support Indigenous entrepreneurs are a stated priority. For a Nation planning an innovation centre, a technology hub, or shared research infrastructure, RIE is the stream built for it.

  • Innovation centres and technology hubs led by Indigenous organizations
  • Shared infrastructure that supports entrepreneurs and community enterprises
  • Programs that grow innovation capacity in underrepresented groups

From our work. We prepared Regional Innovation Ecosystems expressions of interest positioning a First Nation innovation centre as a regional innovation asset.

How We Help

From use case to AI award

Define the use case

A real operational problem with measurable outcomes.

Research pathways

Partnership routes with machine-learning institutes that strengthen the application.

Data sovereignty by design

Ownership and governance of data and models built in from the first draft.

Common Questions

RAII questions we hear most

Does RAII fund first-time AI adopters or only AI companies?

Both, depending on the stream. Adoption projects need a clear operational problem and measurable outcomes, which is exactly how we scope them.

How does Indigenous data sovereignty work in an AI application?

Ownership and governance of data and models are designed in from the start, with OCAP principles shaping the technical architecture and the agreements.

Related Programs
Alberta Innovates PrairiesCan CEDD ISC SPI / SICEI

Have an AI use case that deserves funding?

Tell us what you want to build and we will map the funding path, RAII included or not.

Ask About Funding