NGen AI for Manufacturing Challenge

NGen AI for Manufacturing Challenge

Supports Canadian consortia of manufacturers and AI companies advancing production innovation.

⚠ This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.

The NGen AI for Manufacturing Challenge (AI4M) 2025 intake funded Canadian industry consortia combining at least one manufacturing company and one AI company to apply artificial intelligence and machine learning in manufacturing operations. Administered by Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen), the program reimbursed up to 40% of eligible project costs, with a per-project NGen contribution cap of CAD $3.2 million and a total program pool of CAD $13 million for the 2025 round. Eligible project total costs ranged from CAD $1.5 million to $8 million. Funded themes included commercialization of AI and ML in manufacturing, systems optimization within facilities or supply chains, autonomous manufacturing solutions such as robotics and automation, and rapid prototyping and testing of materials, products, and processes.

Eligible applicants were Canadian for-profit organizations, research-focused privately funded nonprofits, non-federal Crown corporations, and Indigenous organizations in manufacturing or technology. Universities and publicly funded institutions were excluded as funded partners. Each consortium required a minimum of two industry partners — one manufacturing company and one AI company — with at least one being an SME with fewer than 500 global employees. Subcontracting and consultancy costs were capped at 40% of total project costs, and equipment costs at 45%. A mandatory 5% administrative fee on total project cost applied, and NGen withheld 15% of its contribution until all claims and final reporting were completed.

The 2025 intake closed July 17, 2025, with project completion required by January 31, 2027. Applications were evaluated through a five-stage process: eligibility screening, expert peer review scored out of 100, gateway assessment, notification, and contracting. NGen membership was mandatory for all consortium contributors. For future intake announcements, applicants should monitor ngen.ca/funding and contact ai@ngen.ca.