Open
Source verified August 17, 2026
OVIN Research and Development (R&D) Partnership Fund – Stream 1
Ontario mobility innovation partnership support
Funding available
$ 100,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 500 global full-time employees.
See full eligibility
Overview
OVIN Research and Development (R&D) Partnership Fund – Stream 1 supports Ontario SMEs with up to one-third of eligible project costs, to a maximum of $100,000, for collaborative research and development projects. It funds validation, testing, and piloting in connected and autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and semiconductors and hardware.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- No objectives are currently available
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 33% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 500 employees maximum
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Technology, product, and service validation, testing, piloting, demonstration, commercialization, and deployment.
- Projects must include demonstration of actual products or services that can be showcased in Ontario.
Documents Needed
- Signed Letter of Support from contributing Partner organizations confirming financial commitment, activities, duration, resources, and acknowledgment of the requirement to sign the standard OCI Funding Agreement.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 500 global full-time employees.
- Applicants may be on only one R&D Partnership Fund project at a time.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Clarity of the challenge, market opportunity, expected economic benefit to the companies and Ontario, and contribution to Ontario’s transportation ecosystem.
- Technical merit, novelty, and ability of the innovation to address challenges and market opportunities.
- Expertise and experience of the team, clarity of roles and responsibilities, and evidence of collaboration.
- Potential impact and outcomes for the automotive and smart mobility sector, including social and environmental benefits.
- Clarity, feasibility, and appropriateness of the project plan and budget, plus the strategy and capacity to bring results to market or implement proposed solutions.
How to apply
- Complete a client intake form to begin the EOI submission process.
- Work with an OCI Business Development Manager to develop your Full Application.
- Obtain BDM endorsement for eligibility and suitability before submission.
- Submit the Full Application through OCI’s AccessOCI web portal.
- Include a signed Letter of Support from contributing Partner organizations with the application.
Processing and Agreement
- Full Applications are internally reviewed for eligibility, completeness, and financial compliance before external review.
- Independent external reviewers with domain and sector expertise assess eligible applications.
- ERP makes funding recommendations to OCI’s Internal Review Panel (IRP), and IRP makes the final decision.
- Successful Applicants are notified by OCI and receive the conditions and additional information needed to activate the project.
- Applicants who are not selected are notified by OCI, and feedback may be provided by their BDM.
Additional information
- The program is discretionary, non-entitlement, and has limited funding.
- Intellectual property arising from a project is managed by the project Applicant and Partners, as OCI does not claim or manage IP rights.
Frequently Asked Questions about the OVIN Research and Development (R&D) Partnership Fund – Stream 1 Program
What is the OVIN Research and Development (R&D) Partnership Fund – Stream 1?
OVIN Research and Development (R&D) Partnership Fund – Stream 1 supports Ontario SMEs with up to one-third of eligible project costs, to a maximum of $100,000, for collaborative research and development projects. It funds validation, testing, and piloting in connected and autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and semiconductors and hardware.
How much funding can be received?
OVIN Research and Development (R&D) Partnership Fund – Stream 1 Funds up to 33% of admissible expenses, capped at $100,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the OVIN Research and Development (R&D) Partnership Fund – Stream 1 program?
To be eligible for the OVIN Research and Development (R&D) Partnership Fund – Stream 1 program, you must:
The applicant must be an SME with fewer than 500 global full-time employees.
The applicant must have registered operations in Ontario.
The project must include at least one Primary Partner and be carried out in Ontario.
What expenses are eligible under OVIN Research and Development (R&D) Partnership Fund – Stream 1?
Technology, product, and service validation, testing, piloting, demonstration, commercialization, and deployment.
Projects must include demonstration of actual products or services that can be showcased in Ontario.
Who can I contact for more information about the OVIN Research and Development (R&D) Partnership Fund – Stream 1?
You can contact Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN).
Where is the OVIN Research and Development (R&D) Partnership Fund – Stream 1 available?
The OVIN Research and Development (R&D) Partnership Fund – Stream 1 program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the OVIN Research and Development (R&D) Partnership Fund – Stream 1 a grant, loan, or tax credit?
OVIN Research and Development (R&D) Partnership Fund – Stream 1 is a Grant and Funding