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Grants & Funding · Updated July 2026

There may be government money on the table.

There may be government money on the table for your AI project. We structure engagements to align with it and help with the paperwork. Here's what's actually available to Atlantic Canada businesses in 2026 — with dates and sources, because funding programs change and stale advice wastes your time.

ACOA RAII · Atlantic$15.7M

March 2026 round$8.5M · 40 projects

CyberSecure NBup to $3,000

CDAPEnded Feb 2024

Start with the Assessment — $2,000 fixed Book a 15-min Fit Call

01 / THE PROGRAMS

What's on the table right now.

Three places to look, in order. The facts below are dated and sourced — check the links (or ask us) before you plan around a number, because programs open, close, and change.

Federal · ACOA · Active in 2026

ACOA — Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative

A federal program for AI adoption and commercialization, delivered in this region by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). Nationally it's a $200-million, five-year initiative run through Canada's regional development agencies; ACOA is delivering $15.7 million of it in Atlantic Canada. It supports businesses and organizations putting AI to work in real operations — and it's actively writing cheques: in March 2026, the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation announced over $8.5 million for 40 AI projects across Atlantic Canada, from AI-powered sales tools for small businesses to smart automation in rural industries.

Eligibility follows ACOA's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program — businesses, not-for-profits, and other organizations in Atlantic Canada can apply.

Program details — canada.ca March 2026 announcement

$15.7M in Atlantic Canada AI adoption & commercialization Via ACOA / REGI

New Brunswick · via CBDC

CyberSecure NB

Run by the New Brunswick Association of CBDCs (Community Business Development Corporations), backed by a $2-million contribution from ACOA. It reimburses eligible NB small businesses up to $3,000 for cybersecurity and AI work delivered with local expertise. Broad strokes of eligibility: registered and headquartered in New Brunswick, for-profit, at least $30,000 in revenue in your most recent tax year, one grant per business.

Check your eligibility — start the intake Program page — cbdc.ca

Up to $3,000 reimbursed NB businesses only

Provincial · NB · NS · PEI · NL

Provincial digital-adoption programs

Each Atlantic province runs its own digital-adoption and productivity supports, and they change often — names, budgets, and application windows vary from year to year. Rather than list something here that goes stale, we check what's currently open for your province and your specific project as part of the AI Adoption Assessment.

The assessment includes this check

Varies by province Checked per project

Don't chase CDAP. The Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) ended in February 2024. Plenty of articles and advisors still point to it — that information is out of date. The programs above are the ones to look at in 2026.

02 / HOW ZAIPHR FITS

We're not the grantor. Here's what we do.

The money comes from the programs, not from us. Our job is to make sure eligible projects don't miss it — and to be straight with you about the odds.

01 · Check

Eligibility check, built in

The $2,000 AI Adoption Assessment includes a funding-eligibility check: which programs your project could fit, what they expect to see, and what the paperwork involves. You get that read before you spend anything on a build.

02 · Align

Work scoped to align

When a build goes ahead, we scope and document it to line up with program criteria — clear outcomes, defined timelines, skills transfer to your team — and we help you prepare the application materials.

03 · Honest

No approval guarantees

Funding decisions rest with the program administrators, not with us — anyone promising approval is overselling. Every roadmap we deliver is built to make sense with or without funding.

03 / COMMON QUESTIONS

Funding, plainly.

Is there government funding for AI projects in Atlantic Canada?

Yes. ACOA's Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative funds AI adoption and commercialization projects across Atlantic Canada — in March 2026, ACOA announced over $8.5 million for 40 AI projects in the region. In New Brunswick, CyberSecure NB reimburses eligible small businesses up to $3,000 for cybersecurity and AI work. Each province also runs its own digital-adoption programs, and eligibility varies by province and project.

Is CDAP still available?

No. The Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) ended in February 2024. Articles and advisors still point to it, but that information is out of date. The current options for Atlantic Canada businesses are ACOA's Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative, CyberSecure NB in New Brunswick, and provincial digital-adoption programs.

Does Zaiphr guarantee grant approval?

No — and be cautious of anyone who does. Funding decisions rest with the program administrators, not with us. What we do: check eligibility as part of the $2,000 AI Adoption Assessment, scope the work to align with program criteria, and help with the paperwork. Every plan we deliver is built to make sense with or without funding.

04 / STAY CURRENT

Get the funding checklist.

One email with the current programs and what each expects from applicants — then an update only when something on this page changes. Programs open and close; this is how you avoid finding out too late.

Next step

See if funding fits your project.

The eligibility check is part of the assessment — you'll know which programs fit before you commit to a build. We reply within 1 business day.

Start with the Assessment — $2,000 fixed Book a 15-min Fit Call

Responds within 1 business day Moncton, NB · serving Atlantic Canada Honest reads · no approval guarantees