Closed
Source verified July 8, 2026
Research & Development Partnership Fund (R&D PF)
Smart mobility co-investment for Ontario SMEs
Funding available
$ 1,000,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
The Fonds de partenariats en R-D – Véhicules connectés et autonomes (VCA) et mobilité intelligente, volet 2, provides up to $1,000,000 in co-investment for Ontario SMEs working on connected and autonomous vehicle and smart mobility technologies. The program supports development, testing, validation, demonstration, and pilot projects, including real-product demonstrations in Ontario.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 33% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 499 employees maximum
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development, testing, validation, and demonstration of connected and autonomous vehicle and smart mobility technologies
- Development and demonstration of a technology
- Testing and validation of a product or service
- Pilot projects
- Demonstration of real products in Ontario at events, on the road, at CIO and its partners, or with clients
Documents Needed
- Client intake form
- Letter of Support from contributing partners
- Expression of Interest for Stream 2
- Full Application / Full Proposal
- Reference documents such as the Funding Agreement and Eligible Expenditures Guide
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- SMEs with fewer than 500 global full-time employees
- Applicants that operate in Ontario
Who is not eligible
- Companies with 500 or more global full-time employees
- Organizations without operations in Ontario
- Projects limited to basic research or feasibility studies
Eligible expenses
- Technology, product, and service validation costs
- Testing, piloting, and demonstration costs
- Commercialization and deployment-related project costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Basic technology research
- Feasibility studies
- Projects outside Ontario without written approval
- Matching contributions from public entities
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Clarity of the market opportunity and expected economic benefit
- Technical merit, novelty, and ability to address the challenge
- Team expertise, roles, and collaboration
- Project plan feasibility and appropriateness
- Commercialization strategy and capacity to bring results to market
How to apply
- Fill out the client form to start a request and learn whether the program is a fit for your business.
- A Business Development Manager will contact you to discuss your project and help you.
- Submit a Declaration of Interest (DI).
- Submit a detailed proposal.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed in two stages for Stream 2: Expression of Interest and Full Application.
- Eligible submissions are assessed internally and by external reviewers.
- Selected applicants are invited to present before final funding decisions are made.
- Successful applicants receive conditions and must sign the OCI Funding Agreement before project activation.
- Funding is released after approved reports and claims are submitted.
Additional information
- Applicants must read and agree to the Data and Information Sharing Protocol (DISP).
- A signed Letter of Support from contributing partners is required for proposals.
- Project changes require prior approval through the project change request process.
- Public communications about Ontario funding require OCI review and approval before release.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Research & Development Partnership Fund (R&D PF) Program
What is the Research & Development Partnership Fund (R&D PF)?
The Fonds de partenariats en R-D – Véhicules connectés et autonomes (VCA) et mobilité intelligente, volet 2, provides up to $1,000,000 in co-investment for Ontario SMEs working on connected and autonomous vehicle and smart mobility technologies. The program supports development, testing, validation, demonstration, and pilot projects, including real-product demonstrations in Ontario.
How much funding can be received?
Research & Development Partnership Fund (R&D PF) Funds up to 33% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Research & Development Partnership Fund (R&D PF) program?
To be eligible for the Research & Development Partnership Fund (R&D PF) program, you must:
SME with fewer than 500 global full-time employees
Applicant must operate in Ontario
Project must include at least one partner
What expenses are eligible under Research & Development Partnership Fund (R&D PF)?
Development, testing, validation, and demonstration of connected and autonomous vehicle and smart mobility technologies
Development and demonstration of a technology
Testing and validation of a product or service
Pilot projects
Demonstration of real products in Ontario at events, on the road, at CIO and its partners, or with clients
Who can I contact for more information about the Research & Development Partnership Fund (R&D PF)?
You can contact Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) by email at none or by phone at none.
Where is the Research & Development Partnership Fund (R&D PF) available?
The Research & Development Partnership Fund (R&D PF) program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Research & Development Partnership Fund (R&D PF) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Research & Development Partnership Fund (R&D PF) is a Grant and Funding