Administered by Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) · Funded by Government of Canada, PacifiCan
Interest-free repayable PacifiCan funding, $200K to $5M at up to 50%, for B.C. firms adopting or commercializing AI. Closes Nov 23, 2026, noon PT.
The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) in British Columbia is PacifiCan's 2026-27 intake for businesses. It has two streams. Adoption supports incorporated businesses operating in B.C. for at least three years with 5 to 500 full-time equivalent employees that are integrating AI with significant customization to meet specific operational needs; routine purchases of off-the-shelf AI software are not the target. Commercialization supports incorporated businesses operating in B.C. for at least one year with 1 to 500 FTE that are developing late-stage products, normally at technology readiness level 7 to 9 (TRL 6 by exception where economic benefits are strong), and demonstrating technology. PacifiCan contributes $200,000 to $5 million per project, up to 50% of eligible costs, as an interest-free repayable contribution: repayment begins one year after project completion, in monthly installments over five years, with no collateral and no early-repayment penalty. This is not a grant. At least 50% of project funding must come from non-government sources and be confirmed at application, and total government support, including SR&ED and other tax credits, is kept at no more than 50%. The business intake is open until 12:00 pm Pacific on November 23, 2026. Future intakes for not-for-profits and SMEs are planned for investments starting after April 1, 2027.
The total program pool, per-organization max, and what your contribution has to be.
This program does not publish an aggregate annual funding pool.
$200,000 to $5 million per project, up to 50% of eligible costs, interest-free and repayable over five years starting one year after completion.
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Find your matches →PacifiCan's RAII is patient, interest-free capital, not free money: model the five-year repayment from the start. Three things decide most files: whether an adoption project is real integration work rather than a software subscription, whether a commercialization product is genuinely at TRL 7 or higher, and whether your 50% is confirmed in writing when you apply. Because SR&ED counts toward the 50% cap on government support, keep uncertain development work in your SR&ED claim and build the RAII budget around deployment, demonstration and scale-up costs. The intake closes at noon Pacific on November 23, 2026.
The practical sequence, from a firm that files these claims every week.
Adoption: incorporated, 3+ years operating in B.C., 5 to 500 FTE, customized AI integration. Commercialization: 1+ year in B.C., 1 to 500 FTE, product normally at TRL 7 to 9.
PacifiCan's Applicant Guide for businesses explains how to set the mandatory jobs, revenue and export targets.
Secure non-government funding and get it confirmed in writing; complete the Detailed Budget Worksheet; keep SR&ED-eligible costs out where possible.
Complete the application in the PacifiCan portal with the RAII Supplemental Form, budget worksheet, Technology Questionnaire (commercialization), financial statements and funding confirmations.
Started but unsubmitted applications are not assessed, and incomplete files cannot proceed. Track status in the portal; commercialization projects may get an NRC IRAP technical review.
What you need ready before you apply.
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No. Businesses receive an interest-free repayable contribution. Repayment begins one year after the project is completed and is made in monthly installments over five years, with no collateral and no penalty for early repayment.
The business intake is open until 12:00 pm Pacific on November 23, 2026, for projects seeking funding beginning in 2026-27.
$200,000 to $5 million per project, up to 50% of eligible project costs. At least 50% of project funding must come from non-government sources and be confirmed at the time of application.
Government assistance received during the project, including SR&ED credits and other federal or provincial tax credits, may reduce RAII funding to keep total government support at no more than 50%. PacifiCan asks applicants to exclude SR&ED-eligible costs where possible.
Not in this intake. PacifiCan says future intakes will be available for not-for-profit organizations and SMEs for investments starting after April 1, 2027, and invites non-profits to contact PacifiCan.RAII-IRIA@pacifican.gc.ca.
Changes to the program tracked by our team.
Business intake open until 12:00 pm Pacific on November 23, 2026. PacifiCan pages modified October 20 and 21, 2026, rechecked October 22.
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