OVIN — C/AV and Smart Mobility — Stream 1
ON, Canada
Funding for autonomous vehicles and smart mobility technologies
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateMay 24, 2022
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Transportation and warehousing
grant_single|grantors
- Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Receive up to $100,000 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.
grant_single_labels|projects
There are several eligible projects or activities for this grant.
- Technology proof-of-concept development
- Demonstration of connected and autonomous vehicle (C/AV) and smart mobility technologies
- Product/service validation
- Testing of new technologies
- Piloting scalable solutions
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$80,000
Ottawa
Pilot testing a scalable smart traffic management system
$70,000
Vancouver
Validating an AI-based ride-sharing platform for rural areas
$70,000
Calgary
Development and testing of a real-time pedestrian safety alert system
$50,000
Toronto
Developing a proof-of-concept for an autonomous delivery robot
$65,000
Montreal
Testing a new smart parking solution in a busy downtown area
$75,000
Halifax
Demonstration of autonomous bus technology in a public transit system
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The eligibility criteria for the R&D Partnership Fund – Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) and Smart Mobility: Stream 1 are as follows:
- Applicants are Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 500 global, full-time employees.
- Applicants must have operations in Ontario and carry out their project in Ontario.
- Eligible partners include SMEs, national and multinational enterprises, academic institutions (as clients only), municipalities, Indigenous communities, not-for-profit organizations representing industry, Crown Corporations, and Transit Authorities.
- The project must involve at least one applicant and a minimum of one partner.
- The project must support a total budget of up to $300,000 over 12 months.
- Projects should be at Technology Readiness Level 3-9 and focus on activities like technology proof-of-concept development, demonstration, product/service validation, testing, and piloting.
- Applicants and partners should demonstrate close collaboration, scalable outcomes, high commercialization potential, strong commercial pull, competitive advantage, and alignment with intended program benefits.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Yes, there are specific eligible types of companies for this grant. Here is the list of eligible applicants and partners:
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 500 global, full-time employees
- National and multinational enterprises (NEs and MNEs)
- Academic institutions (as clients only)
- Municipalities
- Indigenous communities
- Not-for-profit organizations representing industry
- Crown Corporations
- Transit Authorities
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
There are specific eligibility criteria for this grant, and certain types of companies do not meet these requirements.
- Companies with more than 500 global, full-time employees
- Companies that do not have operations in Ontario
- Companies undertaking basic technology research or feasibility studies
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
There are no eligible expenses mentioned for this grant.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zone for this grant is Ontario, Canada. Applicants must have operations in Ontario and carry out their projects within the province.
- Ontario, Canada: Applicants must operate in this province
- Projects must be executed within Ontario
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Complete the client intake form. This will determine if the program is the right fit for your business.
- Step 2: An OCI Business Development Manager (BD) will contact you to discuss the opportunity and assist you with your application.
- Step 3: Work with your OCI BD to prepare and submit a full proposal. This stage includes filling out the Full Proposal Questionnaire and securing Letters of Support as required.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The R&D Partnership Fund – C/AV and Smart Mobility – Stream 1 provides up to $100,000 in funding for projects related to connected and autonomous vehicle technologies, with a 12-month duration. Eligible projects must have a minimum of one applicant and one partner, and demonstrate significant commercial opportunities and scalability.
- Applicants must match the funding with a minimum 2:1 contribution from themselves and/or private sector partners.
- Eligible projects should be at Technology Readiness Level 3-9.
- The program is not intended for basic research or to prove feasibility.
- Applicants must complete a client intake form and be contacted by an OCI Business Development Manager for the Full Proposal stage.
- The program supports activities like technology proof-of-concept development, demonstration, product/service validation, testing, and piloting.
- The program aims for commercialization, road safety, improved transportation data analysis, and reduced environmental impact.
Apply to this program
R&D Partnership Fund – Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) and Smart Mobility: Stream 1 Grant Summary
The R&D Partnership Fund – C/AV and Smart Mobility – Stream 1 provides up to $100,000 in funding to support the development, testing, validation, and demonstration of connected and autonomous vehicle (C/AV) and smart mobility technologies in Ontario. Eligible projects focus on areas such as mass light vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles, transportation infrastructure, and intelligent transportation systems.
Detailed Explanation of the R&D Partnership Fund – C/AV and Smart Mobility: Stream 1 Grant
The R&D Partnership Fund – Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) and Smart Mobility: Stream 1 is an innovative financial support program aimed at enhancing the development and commercialization of Ontario-based technologies related to connected and autonomous vehicles as well as smart mobility. This initiative, supported by the Ontario government, offers SMEs an unparalleled opportunity to bring their cutting-edge technologies from concept to market. Here is a comprehensive look at this grant program, including its purpose, eligibility criteria, funding specifics, and the application process.
Objectives of the R&D Partnership Fund – C/AV and Smart Mobility: Stream 1
The R&D Partnership Fund is designed with several key objectives in mind, both for the benefiting entities and society at large:
- Commercialization of Ontario-made technologies: Focuses on bringing innovative technologies developed within Ontario to market, ensuring economic growth and global competitiveness.
- Demonstration to potential customers: Enables companies to showcase their technologies to attract potential customers and investors.
- Extending company R&D: Facilitates collaboration with researchers to drive additional innovation and development within companies.
- Marketable solutions: Aims to create practical solutions for current challenges in transportation and mobility.
- Public/private partnerships: Encourages collaboration between private enterprises and public entities to foster shared growth and innovation.
For society, the objectives include:
- Enhanced road safety
- Improved road condition monitoring
- Better data collection and analysis related to transportation
- Development of innovative products and services that elevate driver performance
- Reduction in environmental and carbon footprints
Eligibility Criteria
The R&D Partnership Fund maintains strict eligibility criteria to ensure that the benefits are received by those best positioned to leverage them for technological advancement and commercial success.
Eligible Applicants:
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 500 global, full-time employees.
- Applicants must operate in Ontario and ensure that their project activities are conducted within the province.
Eligible Partners:
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- National and Multi-national Enterprises (NEs and MNEs)
- Academic institutions (acting as clients)
- Municipalities
- Indigenous communities
- Not-for-profit organizations representing industry
- Crown Corporations
- Transit Authorities
Additional partners are welcome to join a project, and there is no limit to the number of partners involved. Partnerships should ideally present significant commercial opportunities for all involved parties.
Eligible Projects
To qualify for this program, projects must:
- Include at least one applicant and one partner, as defined in the eligibility criteria above.
- Have a total budget of up to $300,000 over a 12-month period.
- Focus on technology readiness levels 3-9, meaning projects should not be in the basic research phase or merely proving feasibility.
- Engage in activities such as technology proof-of-concept development, demonstration, product/service validation, testing, and piloting.
- Demonstrate close collaboration, scalable outcomes, strong commercial potential, competitive advantage, and alignment with the program’s intended benefits.
Funding Details
The R&D Partnership Fund – C/AV and Smart Mobility: Stream 1 offers up to $100,000 in funding for approved projects. This funding is provided on a matching basis, requiring a minimum 2:1 contribution from the applicants and/or private sector partners. For example, to receive the full $100,000 from the program, the applicant and partners must contribute at least $200,000, bringing the total project budget to at least $300,000.
How to Apply
The application process for the R&D Partnership Fund is straightforward but involves several critical steps and the submission of detailed documentation. The following is an overview of the key steps:
Step 1: Submit a Client Intake Form
Prospective applicants begin the process by completing a client intake form available on the program’s website. This form serves as an initial expression of interest and helps determine if the program is a suitable fit for the business.
Step 2: Business Development Manager Contact
Once the intake form is submitted, a Business Development Manager (BD) from the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) will reach out to discuss the opportunity. The BD will provide guidance, assist with the application process, and maintain oversight for the OCI components of any approved project.
Step 3: Preparation of Full Proposal
The program has a single Full Proposal stage. Applicants must prepare a comprehensive proposal that includes all necessary documentation, such as the Program Guidelines, OCI Funding Agreement, Eligible Expenditures Guide, Full Proposal Questionnaire, Letter of Support Template, and Data and Information Sharing Protocol (DISP) documents.
Step 4: Proposal Submission and Review
Submitted proposals undergo a thorough review process to assess eligibility, the potential for commercialization, alignment with the program’s objectives, and the overall impact on society and the economy. The review will also examine the strength of the collaboration between the applicant and partners.
Step 5: Funding Agreement
Successful applicants will enter into a funding agreement with OCI, detailing the terms and conditions of the funding, the responsibilities of the parties, the project timeline, and specific deliverables.
Step 6: Project Implementation
With the funding agreement in place, the project moves into the implementation phase. Regular updates and reports may be required to ensure the project stays on track and achieves the intended outcomes.
Conclusion
The R&D Partnership Fund – Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) and Smart Mobility: Stream 1 provides a robust platform for SMEs in Ontario to innovate, collaborate, and bring their technologies to market. By offering significant financial support and fostering partnerships, this program not only boosts technological advancements but also contributes to economic growth, improved road safety, and reduced environmental impact.
For more details and to begin the application process, applicants are encouraged to complete the client intake form and engage with an OCI Business Development Manager.
