AI Compute Access Fund

Overview of the AI Compute Access Fund program:

The AI Compute Access Fund is part of Canada's broader Sovereign AI Compute Strategy led by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). The fund is designed to bolster Canada’s position in artificial intelligence (AI) innovation by ensuring access to the computational infrastructure required to train and deploy advanced AI models. Many Canadian organizations—particularly start-ups, researchers, and smaller AI developers—lack the computing capacity needed for large-scale model development. This program addresses that gap by subsidizing access to AI-focused computing infrastructure (such as high-performance computing, cloud GPU capacity, and AI accelerator hardware) through trusted partners. The fund aims to promote AI projects that contribute to Canada's economic prosperity, technological sovereignty, and responsible AI development. Applications must align with Canada’s AI goals, including safety, transparency, and alignment with ethical principles. Funding is prioritized for projects focused on socially impactful AI, scientific research, industrial transformation, or Canadian competitiveness in the AI domain. Applicants can access compute resources through partners like the Digital Research Alliance of Canada (DRAC), and other designated providers. The program supports efforts in machine learning model development, training, and evaluation, across academic and commercial sectors.

Benefits of the AI Compute Access Fund program:

• Access to high-performance compute resources (GPU clusters, cloud-based platforms, AI accelerators)
• Reduces development barriers for Canadian AI start-ups, researchers, and innovators
• Supports advancement of socially beneficial and competitive AI technologies
• Encourages responsible and sovereign AI development in line with national interests
• Promotes collaboration with computing resource providers and national infrastructure networks

Eligibility criteria of the AI Compute Access Fund program:

• Eligible applicants must be:
• Based in Canada
• A researcher, academic institution, start-up, or scale-up involved in AI development
• Focused on AI model training, research, deployment, or commercialization
• Demonstrate need for compute access and alignment with Canadian AI objectives
• Additional expectations:
• Projects should align with responsible AI principles
• Must articulate how compute access will accelerate innovation or economic value
• Priority given to projects with high compute intensity and national interest relevance