archived
Ontario Automotive Investment Strategy (OAIS)
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Ontario, Canada
Funds innovative auto manufacturing projects creating or retaining jobs
Partnering and Collaboration
Grant and Funding
Overview
The Ontario Automotive Investment Strategy (OAIS) offers up to $500 million to support advanced auto manufacturing projects that involve investments over $300 million or create/retain more than 300 jobs. Eligible activities include advanced skills training, innovation in environmental and energy technologies, public infrastructure, and research and development in the automotive sector.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop employee skills
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Archived
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Activities funded
- Advanced skills training programs for automotive workers.
- Implementation of new or improved environmental and energy technologies in manufacturing processes.
- Development and adoption of innovative manufacturing techniques.
- Automotive research and innovation projects, including the testing and marketing of new products.
- Upgrades to public infrastructure to support advanced auto manufacturing operations.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 4,995,000
Construction of hydrogen refueling infrastructure for automotive fleets
$ 4,975,000
Retooling stamping line for lightweight aluminum auto body panels
$ 4,980,000
Expansion and automation of electric vehicle battery components line
Eligibility
- The applicant must be an automotive company operating in Ontario.
- The proposed project must involve leading-edge auto manufacturing initiatives.
- The project must demonstrate the creation or retention of a significant number of jobs.
- The application must show a significant financial investment and focus on innovation, skills training, or environmental and energy improvements.
Who is eligible?
- Automotive manufacturing companies proposing projects in Ontario
- Auto parts manufacturers
Eligible expenses
- Advanced skills training for workers in the automotive sector.
- Implementation of improved environmental and energy technologies.
- Investment in public infrastructure supporting manufacturing upgrades.
- Research and innovation activities within the auto manufacturing industry.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Demonstration of significant financial investment.
- Capacity to create or retain a significant number of jobs.
- Strategic skills training initiatives to keep pace with new technologies and techniques.
- Innovation initiatives focused on developing, testing, and marketing new products, including adoption and improvement of new and more efficient technologies.
- Projects contributing to improved energy efficiency and environmental technologies, as well as enhancement of public infrastructure to support new manufacturing techniques.
How to apply
1
Verify project eligibility
- Review eligibility by verifying if your project involves leading-edge auto manufacturing
- Ensure project meets the minimum requirements of $300 million investment or creation/retention of over 300 jobs
- Confirm alignment with areas such as skills training, environmental technologies, or public infrastructure
2
Prepare and document proposal
- Prepare a detailed proposal outlining the scope and objectives of your project
- Include details on investment amount, expected job creation or retention, and areas targeted for funding
- Highlight innovation components, advanced skills training, and infrastructure improvements
3
Submit the proposal to MEDT
- Submit the proposal to the Investment Division of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT)
- Follow the submission guidelines provided by the Ministry
- Ensure all required documentation is included
4
Wait for evaluation results
- Wait for the evaluation of your proposal by MEDT and relevant ministries
- Provide any additional information or clarification if requested
Additional information
- The program aims to leverage up to $5 billion in private-sector investments over five years.
- Automotive companies must submit proposals through the Investment Division of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.
- The program emphasizes public investment's role in supporting skills training and innovation for a globally competitive workforce.
