Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) in the Prairie provinces
Place Digital Adoption in the project budget through the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) in the Prairie provinces. This note covers who files, what the contribution covers, and which Begine Fusion offers sit on the consultancy line.
The Prairie for-profit or nonprofit files. Begine Fusion delivers the work as Canadian implementation partner.
The problem
Digital Adoption, and what that means here, is a sequence: map how the work runs, fix the system of record and the data path, then place AI where it earns its keep.
The pattern underneath a weak RAII file is AI Adoption by Convenience. The model is chosen before anyone has mapped the work. RAII funds the sequence above when that sequence is the project.
The applicant files
Key Point: The Prairie for-profit or nonprofit files the expression of interest and owns the project. Begine Fusion is named as the Canadian implementation partner, paid from the consultancy, subcontracting, or specialized services lines.
The solution
Map how the work runs. Fix the system of record and the data path. Place AI where it earns its keep. That sequence is what belongs in the project budget.
These five offers are the set. Published bands live on each offer page. Price for an RAII project comes from a scoped statement of work after discovery. There is no RAII package price.
| Budget need | Begine Fusion offer |
|---|---|
| AI readiness, adoption strategy, sequenced roadmap | FusionMap |
| Responsible AI rules when staff already use AI on data that matters | FusionGuard |
| Systems of record, data, automation, then AI on top | FusionBuild, through the systems build entrance and the AI build entrance |
| Team capability to supervise AI-assisted work | AI Systems Mastery |
| One business function rebuilt as a governed operating layer | AI Operating System / FusionOS |
One parent lane
Key Point: Digital Adoption is the category this budget sits in. FusionMap, FusionGuard, FusionBuild, AI Systems Mastery, and FusionOS are the five offers inside it.
The process
Discovery decides whether Begine Fusion is named in the expression of interest, and which offer sequence fits.
- Confirm the applicant path: for-profit adoption, nonprofit operations, or nonprofit ecosystem.
- Confirm the Prairie province of staffed operations, the sector, and the timeline.
- Name the operational problem that must improve in the next 12 to 36 months.
- Test project size and confirmed match funding against the CAD $250,000 floor.
- Decide whether Begine Fusion is named in the expression of interest as Canadian implementation partner.
The short version of this page for applicants is the PrairiesCan RAII page.
What the funding covers
RAII is a PrairiesCan program for Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. It funds AI adoption, commercialization of Canadian AI, and ecosystem enablement. Contributions run from CAD $250,000 to $5,000,000 over a maximum of three years. Projects must be completed by 31 March 2031.
Eligible costs include consultancy fees, subcontracting, and specialized services. Digital Adoption and systems design work sit on those lines. Priority adoption sectors: health and life sciences, energy and natural resources, transportation, agriculture, manufacturing and robotics, and clear regional strengths.
| For-profit | Nonprofit | |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution | Interest-free, repayable | Non-repayable for non-commercial projects |
| Share of eligible costs | Up to 50 percent | Up to 90 percent |
| Project size | CAD $250,000 to $5,000,000 | CAD $250,000 to $5,000,000 |
| Complete by | 31 March 2031 | 31 March 2031 |
For-profit. Incorporated businesses with staffed operating facilities in the Prairies. Preference may be given to organizations under 500 FTEs. The work is operational AI adoption or commercialization above basic research. TRL 1 to 5 research is ineligible.
Nonprofit. Industry associations, incubators, accelerators, consortia, post-secondaries, municipalities, and similar organizations with a Prairie operating presence. They adopt AI in their own operations or enable members under the ecosystem pillar. Commercial nonprofit projects are normally repayable, and PrairiesCan gives preference to projects with leverage. Confirm your classification with PrairiesCan before the expression of interest.
Ecosystem projects. The ecosystem applicant must be a nonprofit or other listed non-commercial entity. Begine Fusion is for-profit, so the nonprofit applies and Begine Fusion delivers through consultancy, subcontracting, or specialized services inside that project.
Intake is continuous. The official pages disagree on the intake end year: 2029 on the application page, 2030 elsewhere. Confirm the application page before you submit. Bring non-PrairiesCan funding that is already confirmed. Forecasted revenue and receivables are not accepted as that confirmation.
Every figure above was read from these pages. Confirm them before you file.
Confirm the application page
Key Point: Official pages disagree on the intake end year: 2029 on the application page, 2030 elsewhere. Confirm that page before you submit. Bring non-PrairiesCan funding that is already confirmed.
Next steps
Bring a draft purpose, the Prairie province of operations, the sector or member base, a timeline, and a funding sketch against the CAD $250,000 floor. We will name whether Begine Fusion fits, which offer sequence fits, and what belongs in the consultancy budget line.
Common mistakes
Naming the partner as the applicant. The Prairie organization files the expression of interest and owns the project. Put Begine Fusion on the consultancy, subcontracting, or specialized services lines.
Starting at the model. The process, the system of record, and the data path are the work AI runs on. Map that work, then place AI where it earns its keep.
Using a forecast as match funding. Confirmed funding on the apply page is non-PrairiesCan funding already in hand. Forecasted revenue and receivables are not accepted as that confirmation.
A for-profit filing the ecosystem project. The ecosystem applicant is a nonprofit or other listed non-commercial entity. The nonprofit applies. Begine Fusion is for-profit and delivers through consultancy, subcontracting, or specialized services inside that project.
Choosing 2029 or 2030 in the draft. The official pages disagree on the intake end year: 2029 on the application page, 2030 elsewhere. Confirm the application page before you submit.
Putting one RAII price in the budget. Published bands sit on the offer pages. The project price comes from a scoped statement of work after discovery. There is no RAII package price.
Filing basic research as adoption. For-profit work on this program is operational AI adoption or commercialization above basic research. TRL 1 to 5 research is ineligible.
Frequently asked questions
Who files the RAII application?
The Prairie for-profit or nonprofit organization. Begine Fusion is the Canadian implementation partner inside the project budget.
Can consultancy and systems design sit in an RAII budget?
Official program information lists consultancy fees, subcontracting, and specialized services among eligible costs. Confirm your specific activities with PrairiesCan before the expression of interest.
Can a nonprofit name Begine Fusion on an ecosystem project?
Under published eligibility the ecosystem applicant is a nonprofit or other listed non-commercial entity. Begine Fusion is for-profit, so the nonprofit applies and Begine Fusion delivers through consultancy, subcontracting, or specialized services inside that project.
When does intake close?
Intake is continuous until funding is committed. The official pages disagree on the intake end year: 2029 on the application page, 2030 elsewhere. Confirm the application page before you submit.
What counts as confirmed funding?
Confirmed funding is non-PrairiesCan funding already in hand at the expression of interest. Forecasted revenue and receivables are not accepted as that confirmation.
What should we bring to discovery?
A draft purpose, the Prairie province of operations, the sector or member base, a timeline, and a funding sketch against the CAD $250,000 floor.
Where are Begine Fusion prices?
Each offer page publishes its band. An RAII engagement is priced from a scoped statement of work after discovery. There is no RAII package price.
Book a discovery conversation when the draft purpose, sector, timeline, and funding sketch are ready. Book RAII discovery. Confirm the program on the official RAII hub.
Glossary
Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII). The PrairiesCan program for AI adoption, commercialization of Canadian AI, and ecosystem enablement in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
PrairiesCan. Prairies Economic Development Canada, the funder.
Expression of interest. The application the Prairie organization files.
Digital Adoption. Map how the work runs, fix the system of record and the data path, then place AI where it earns its keep.
Confirmed funding. Non-PrairiesCan funding already in hand when you file.
Ecosystem project. Member or innovator enablement. A nonprofit or other listed non-commercial entity files it.
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