Apply for a program

OVIN programs support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop, test and validate innovative technologies and connect them with partners to advance the commercialization of products and solutions.

Supporting innovative solutions

Each OVIN program supports the development and demonstration of automotive technologies and mobility solutions such as connected, autonomous, electric, and smart mobility technologies in areas such as: 

  • Commercially ready technologies for application in mass light vehicles (cars, trucks and vans) 
  • Heavy duty vehicles (commercial vehicles, trucks, buses, recreational vehicles, and others used for goods movement) 
  • Transportation infrastructure 
  • Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) 
  • Transit-supportive systems and vehicles 

SMEs must work with an industry partner, or in some cases, an academic partner, to help bring their technology closer to commercialization. 

R&D Partnership Fund – Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) & Smart Mobility

This program is ideal for small- and medium-sized companies that require co-investment and the support of strategic partners to develop, test, validate and demonstrate connected and autonomous vehicle (C/AV) and smart mobility technologies

R&D Partnership Fund – Electric Vehicle (EV)

This program is ideal for small- and medium-sized companies that require co-investment and the support of strategic partners to develop, test, validate and commercialize electric vehicle (EV) and battery-focused technologies, including EV related technologies.

R&D Partnership Fund – WinterTech Development

Ontario’s extreme climate provides a unique test bed for companies to develop, test, validate and commercialize winter weather–related technologies.

Talent Development

OVIN’s talent development program supports post-secondary students and graduates to apply their knowledge and expertise on automotive and smart mobility technology such as Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) technologies, Electric Vehicles (EV), battery technologies, metallurgical (metal & mining) technologies, and other related areas.

Regional Future Workforce Program

The Regional Future Workforce (RFW) Program is designed to encourage students of all ages, across all regions of Ontario, to pursue careers in the automotive and mobility sector.  

The RFW program aims to bridge the gap between all types of students (kindergarten to post-secondary) and the automotive and mobility industry. This work will focus on reducing the stigma associated with skilled trades and automotive industry careers.  

Program Status and Submission Deadline:

  • Talent Development program:
    Open, Rolling Intake
  • Stream 1: Research and Development (R&D) Partnership Fund – C/AV & Smart Mobility and EV
    Open, Rolling Intake

Stream 2: Research and Development (R&D) Partnership Fund – C/AV & Smart Mobility

Round 1 2023/2024

Application StepDate
Open for Expressions of Interest (EOI)April 3, 2023
EOI Submission DeadlineJune 21, 2023
Invitation for Full ProposalJuly 28, 2023
Full Proposal SubmissionSeptember 5, 2023
Decision NotificationWeek of October 23, 2023

Round 2 2023/2024

Application StepDate
Opens for Expressions of Interest (EOI)September 1, 2023
EOI Submission DeadlineNovember 7, 2023
Invitation for Full ProposalDecember 13, 2023
Full Proposal SubmissionJanuary 24, 2024
Decision NotificationWeek of March 18, 2024

Stream 2: Research and Development (R&D) Partnership Fund – Electric Vehicle

Round 2 2022/2023

Application StepDate
Opens for Expressions of Interest (EOI)September 12, 2022
EOI Submission DeadlineNovember 16, 2022
Invitation for Full ProposalDecember 16, 2022
Full Proposal SubmissionJanuary 26, 2023
Decision NotificationWeek of March 6, 2023

Round 3 2022/2023

Application StepDate
Opens for Expressions of Interest (EOI)February 01,2023
EOI Submission DeadlineFebruary 14, 2023
Invitation for Full ProposalFebruary 17, 2023
Full Proposal SubmissionMarch 6, 2023
Decision NotificationWeek of April 3, 2023

Round 1 2023/2024

Application StepDate
Opens for Expressions of Interest (EOI)April 3, 2023
EOI Submission DeadlineJune 21, 2023
Invitation for Full ProposalJuly 28, 2023
Full Proposal SubmissionSeptember 5, 2023
Decision NotificationWeek of October 23, 2023

Round 2 2023/2024

Application StepDate
Opens for Expressions of Interest (EOI)September 1, 2023
EOI Submission DeadlineNovember 7, 2023
Invitation for Full ProposalDecember 13, 2023
Full Proposal SubmissionJanuary 24, 2024
Decision NotificationWeek of March 18, 2024

Research and Development (R&D) Partnership Fund – WinterTech

Round 1 2023/2024

Application StepDate
Opens for Expressions of Interest (EOI)April 3, 2023
EOI Submission DeadlineJune 21, 2023
Invitation for Full ProposalJuly 28, 2023
Full Proposal SubmissionSeptember 05, 2023
Decision NotificationWeek of October 23, 2023

Round 2 2023/2024

Application StepDate
Opens for Expressions of Interest (EOI)September 1, 2023
EOI Submission DeadlineNovember 7, 2023
Invitation for Full ProposalDecember 13, 2023
Full Proposal SubmissionJanuary 24, 2024
Decision NotificationWeek of March 18, 2024

Regional Future Workforce Program

Application StepDate
Opens for Expressions of Interest (EOI)October 20, 2022
EOI Submission DeadlineNovember 30, 2022
Invitation for Full ApplicationDecember 21, 2022
Full Application DeadlineJanuary 16, 2023
Project ActivationFirst week of February 2023