If you run an AI or machine learning startup, here's every grant you qualify for
Secure deep-tech research funding to offset GPU compute budgets, datasets acquisition, and machine learning PhD salaries. Compare verified federal and provincial programs, verify matching criteria, and model your funding stacking.
Funding Range
$75,000 – $750,000+
Matched Programs
8 programs
Top Program
NSF SBIR + SR&ED Stack
Avg. Timeline
4–14 months
Funding Eligibility Estimator
Calculate potential matching grants and tax credits for your business profile.
Deep-Tech AI Funding Stack
Stacking federal scientific research grants to fund high-risk artificial intelligence algorithm training.
Submit a required Project Pitch to the NSF SBIR (USA) or consult an NRC ITA (Canada) to highlight the high technical risk of your models.
Partner with a university laboratory under STTR or Mitacs Accelerate to access PhD researchers and university-grade GPU clusters.
Isolate data engineering and modeling hours in git logs to claim maximum R&D tax credits.
Utilize regional state/province vouchers to offset third-party model audit and security compliance costs.
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Book a paid 30-minute Funding Audit. Our advisors identify your top 3 programs and build your application roadmap.
Recommended Programs (8)
Latest Update: June 2026Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED)
Agency: Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Canada's largest tax incentive for businesses conducting scientific research or experimental development. Provides a fully refundable investment tax credit (ITC) for eligible R&D expenditures.
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
Agency: National Research Council (NRC)
Provides non-repayable grants and advisory support to help Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) develop and commercialize innovative technologies.
Pairs Canadian businesses with academic researchers (grad students and postdocs) to execute specialized R&D projects, offsetting the cost of hiring advanced researchers.
Helps small and medium tech businesses in Alberta access technical services, prototype development, market feasibility studies, and digital scaling assistance.
Provincial tax incentive that matches federal SR&ED, providing refundable tax credits on wages paid to employees conducting scientific research or experimental development in Quebec.
Known as America's Seed Fund for life sciences, these awards fund early-stage research and development with commercialization potential in biotech, medical devices, and digital health.
Provides non-dilutive funding to early-stage startups developing highly innovative, high-risk technologies with deep commercial market potential.
Provides funding to develop, test, and validate clean energy technologies, carbon capture systems, grid storage solutions, and efficiency improvements.
Frequently Asked Questions
QDo AI model training costs qualify for SR&ED?
Yes — GPU compute costs, data annotation wages, and engineering salaries spent on novel model architectures all qualify. The key is demonstrating "technological uncertainty" — i.e., you didn't know if the model architecture would achieve the target performance before running experiments.
QDoes NSF SBIR fund Canadian AI companies?
No — NSF SBIR is a US-only program requiring a US entity. However, Canadian AI startups can apply for NRC IRAP (Canada) and SR&ED simultaneously. If you have a US subsidiary, you can apply to NSF for work done in the US entity.
QWhat counts as "R&D" in an AI startup?
Experimental model training, novel algorithm development, new data pipeline architecture, and performance benchmarking all count. Routine data cleaning, API integration, and prompt engineering typically do not.
QCan we get Mitacs funding for a PhD working on our models?
Yes. Mitacs Accelerate co-funds PhD/Master's research interns who work on your company's technical problem. You pay 50%, Mitacs covers the other 50% up to $7,500 per 4-month unit.
Related Guides
SR&ED Application & Documentation Guide
Playbook for tracking software development hours and claiming CRA R&D credits.
How to Apply for IRAP Funding Guide
Best practices for contacting ITAs and building project milestones.
Funding Comparison Guides
IRAP vs. SR&ED: Comparing Canada’s Top R&D Funding Options
Compare the NRC-IRAP wage subsidy grant against the CRA’s Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax refund program. Learn how to qualify, calculate yields, and stack them.
NSF SBIR vs. NIH SBIR: U.S. Federal Innovation Grants Compared
Compare the National Science Foundation (NSF) against the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Learn which deep-tech R&D grants fit your startup.
Government Grant vs. Business Loan: Which Non-Dilutive Funding is Right for You?
Compare non-repayable government grants against government-backed business loans (like CSBFP and SBA 7(a)). Understand when to pursue grants vs. debt financing for your business stage.
SBIR vs. STTR: Comparing U.S. Federal Research Grant Programs
Compare the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Learn which U.S. federal deep-tech grant requires a university partner and how funding amounts differ.
Related Programs
Direct application guides for the core funding programs available to ai & machine learning startups:
Funding Eligibility Estimator
Calculate potential matching grants and tax credits for your business profile.
Non-Dilutive Funding Advisory
FSI Digital provides pre-qualification reviews to help ai & machine learning startups match the right programs. We do not charge upfront application fees.
Book a 30-minute paid Funding Audit. An FSI advisor reviews your eligibility, identifies your top 3 programs, and builds your action plan.
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