C/AV and Smart Mobility — Stream 2
Last Update: July 22, 2025
ON, Canada
Funding for autonomous vehicles and smart mobility technologies
At a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $1,000,000
- Up to 66% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : November 7, 2023
- Closing date : December 28, 2023
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Transportation and warehousing
Funds Providers
Unspecified
Program status
Closed
Overview
Receive up to $1 million in co-investment funding and support of strategic partners to develop, test, validate and demonstrate connected and autonomous vehicle (C/AV) and smart mobility technologies. Eligible projects will have to include demonstratio
Financing terms and conditions
This grant facilitates co-investment opportunities to support the advancement of connected and autonomous vehicle and smart mobility projects. The funding model encourages collaboration and resource sharing among diverse partners.
- Eligible projects can receive up to $1,000,000 in co-investment funding.
- All funds from the program must be matched by a minimum 2:1 contribution from applicants and/or private sector partners.
- The funding is designed to support projects over a maximum period of 24 months.
Activities funded
The grant supports projects dedicated to advancing connected and autonomous vehicle (C/AV) and smart mobility technologies. These initiatives aim to commercialize Ontario-made solutions and improve societal benefits such as road safety and environmental impact.
- Development and demonstration of connected and autonomous vehicle technologies for mass light vehicles such as cars, trucks, and vans.
- Technology advancement in heavy-duty vehicles, including commercial trucks, buses, and recreational vehicles used for goods movement.
- Enhancement of transportation infrastructure to support C/AV and smart mobility.
- Implementation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) for improved traffic management and road safety.
- Support for transit-supportive systems and vehicles to enhance public transportation efficiency.
- Validation, testing, and piloting of C/AV technologies to showcase scalable and commercial outcomes.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 600,000
Piloting autonomous shuttle services for elderly
$ 500,000
Testing connected vehicle infrastructure
$ 550,000
Development of a pedestrian safety alert system
$ 500,000
Development of an AI-powered traffic management system
$ 700,000
Validation of a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology
$ 350,000
Demonstration of a smart parking solution
Eligibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and project execution details.
- Applicants must be Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 500 global, full-time employees.
- Applicants are required to have operations in Ontario and must conduct their project activities within Ontario.
Who is eligible?
This grant is available to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 500 global, full-time employees that operate and plan to execute their projects in Ontario. Eligible applicants can partner with SMEs, national and multinational enterprises, academic institutions, municipalities, Indigenous communities, not-for-profit organizations representing industry, Crown Corporations, and transit authorities. Partnerships should aim for significant commercial opportunities and collaborations with a minimum of one partner joining the applicant.
Who is not eligible
This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity. The restrictions aim to ensure that funds are directed toward strategic sectors aligned with the grant's objectives.
- Companies without operations or project implementation in Ontario.
- Enterprises with 500 or more global, full-time employees.
Eligible expenses
The eligible projects for this grant center around the advancement and commercialization of connected and autonomous vehicle (C/AV) technologies. These projects must involve collaboration between at least one applicant and one partner and aim to deliver scalable outcomes with strong potential for marketability.
- Technology development within C/AV and smart mobility sectors.
- Demonstration of products in Ontario, including at events and customer sites.
- Validation of products and services to show commercial ready status.
- Testing of C/AV technologies to ensure reliability and compliance.
- Piloting of innovations related to C/AV and smart mobility.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is available to companies with operations in Ontario, Canada. Eligible applications must ensure that project activities are carried out within this region.
- Companies with operations in Ontario.
- Projects conducted within Ontario.
Selection criteria
The evaluation and selection criteria for the R&D Partnership Fund – Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) and Smart Mobility: Stream 2 grant include aspects related to project feasibility, collaboration, commercialization potential, and alignment with program objectives.
- Feasibility of the project
- Nature and extent of collaboration between the applicant and partners
- Potential for commercialization of Ontario-made technologies
- Degree of technology readiness (TRL 3-9)
- Alignment with intended program benefits such as increased road safety, better road condition monitoring, and reduced environmental footprint
- Demonstration of close collaboration and scalable outcomes
- Strong commercial pull and competitive advantage
- Potential for innovative products and services to improve driver performance
- Eligibility as per project and partner criteria
How to apply
1
Expression of Interest (EOI) Submission
- Complete and submit the client intake form available on the program's website.
- Engage with an OCI Business Development Manager who will contact you after submission.
- Discuss your project with the OCI BD to assess suitability and alignment with program goals.
2
Review and Feedback
- Receive feedback from the OCI Business Development Manager on your EOI submission.
- Make any recommended modifications to your project proposal if necessary.
3
Full Proposal Development
- Access the necessary documentation such as the Program Guidelines, OCI Funding Agreement, and Full Proposal Questionnaire from the OVIN Resource Document Page.
- Develop a comprehensive Full Proposal detailing project objectives, partnership roles, and expected outcomes.
- Include supporting documents such as a budget, timelines, and letters of support.
4
Final Proposal Submission
- Submit the completed Full Proposal and all supporting documents as per the instructions provided by your OCI Business Development Manager.
- Ensure the proposal is submitted in the format requested by the fund provider.
5
Confirmation and Follow-up
- Receive confirmation of submission from the fund provider.
- Follow up with the OCI Business Development Manager if further information or clarification is required during the evaluation process.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- All funds provided by the program must be matched by a minimum 2:1 contribution from applicants and/or private sector partners.
- The projects supported must have scalable outcomes with high potential for commercialization.
- Demonstration of actual products that can be showcased in Ontario is mandatory.
- Aligning projects with program benefits like increased road safety and reduced environmental impact is crucial.
- Applicants are encouraged to explore partnerships that represent significant potential commercial opportunities for all parties involved.
Frequently Asked Questions about the C/AV and Smart Mobility — Stream 2 Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the C/AV and Smart Mobility — Stream 2. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the C/AV and Smart Mobility — Stream 2?
How much funding can be received?
What is the deadline to apply?
Is the C/AV and Smart Mobility — Stream 2 a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Who are the financial supporters of the C/AV and Smart Mobility — Stream 2?
Who is eligible for the C/AV and Smart Mobility — Stream 2 program?
Who can I contact for more information about the C/AV and Smart Mobility — Stream 2?
Where is the C/AV and Smart Mobility — Stream 2 available?
Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the C/AV and Smart Mobility — Stream 2 program?
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