Automotive Innovation Challenge
The OVIN Automotive Innovation Challenge (AIC) aims to help students develop industry-relevant skills and explore career opportunities in Ontario’s automotive and mobility sector, while employers gain fresh perspectives, access to emerging talent, and strengthened talent pipelines.
For more on this program’s current status, please visit the Programs Overview.
Program Overview
The Automotive Innovation Challenge (AIC), powered by OVIN, invites Ontario post-secondary institutions and their industry partners to co-design high impact, real-world applied learning opportunities that respond directly to talent and innovation needs in the province’s automotive and mobility sector.
OVIN invites colleges and universities to collaborate with one or more industry partners, select a challenge they are facing, and host a student competition for solutions. The exact structure of the competition, including any benefits for participants or winners, will be determined by the educational and industry partners.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, the program is delivered through two complementary streams:
- Stream 1: Challenge-based learning tied to specific industry problem statements
- Stream 2: Experiential Learning Stream (ELS) with paid placements and direct pathways to employment
Objectives
The goals of OVIN’s Automotive Innovation Challenge are:
- To help post-secondary students develop practical, real-world experience that draws upon their knowledge and skills.
- To connect post-secondary students to the Ontario automotive and mobility sector, provide them with direct access to industry and their talent acquisition teams, and enhance their career and learning development.
- To provide Ontario-based automotive and mobility employers and industry associations access to a developing talent pool with awareness and innovative solutions to specific problem(s) they may be faced with.
- To build a larger, more diverse talent pool for Ontario’s automotive and mobility sector by facilitating collaboration between higher education institutions and automotive and mobility industry stakeholders in the province.
Program Structure
Stream 1: Challenge Based Learning
- Objective: Deliver short-term, team-based problem-solving challenges tied to real industry needs during the Fall or Winter academic terms.
- Key Features:
- Students work in teams on a problem defined by an industry partner
- Programs are co-designed with post-secondary and industry partners
- Use a “knowledge-before-challenge” model, allowing time for problem exploration and solution iteration
- Includes at least one Career Readiness session where industry partners share hiring pathways and workplace insights
- Formats May Include: Hackathons, site visits, sprints, capstones, course-integrated projects
- Timing:
- Fall Term: End by Dec. 1, 2025 | Report due Jan. 15, 2026
- Winter Term: End by Mar. 30, 2026 | Report due Apr. 30, 2026
- Target Participation: Minimum 100 students across all Stream 1 activities
- Funding:
- Up to $100,000 per term
- Requires 1:1 match, with at least 50% from the private sector
- Application Deadlines:
- Fall Term: July 14, 2025 at 12 PM EDT
- Winter Term: September 15, 2025 at 12 PM EDT
Stream 2: Experiential Learning Stream (ELS)
- Objective: Offer structured work-integrated learning placements that align with industry hiring needs, supporting job readiness and potential hired outcomes.
- Key Features:
- Co-op, internship, or embedded placement opportunities
- Jointly developed and executed Learning & Development Plan
- Includes Placement Participation Agreement covering roles, expectations, and safety
- Focused on training, mentorship, real-world deliverables, and career development
- Formats may include: Co-ops, internships, and applied research projects
- Timing:
- Program ends by Mar. 30, 2026 | Final report due Apr. 30, 2026
- Target Participation:
- Minimum 25 students with confirmed placements and hiring pathways
- Funding:
- Up to $200,000 total
- Requires 1:1 match, with 100% from private sector
- Application Deadline:
- July 14, 2025 at 12 PM EDT
Program Requirements:
| Category | Stream 1 | Stream 2 |
| Program Type | Competitive, challenge-based learning experience | Experiential learning with structured placements |
| Program Duration | Fall and/or Winter 2025–2026 term | Full 2025–2026 academic year |
| Eligible Applicants | Ontario-based publicly funded post-secondary institutions with industry partners | Ontario-based publicly funded post-secondary institutions with industry partners |
| Available Funding | Up to $100,000 per term (Fall + Winter possible = $200,000 max) | Up to $200,000 total |
| Matching Requirement | 1:1 match (minimum 50% from private sector) | 1:1 match (100% from private sector) |
| Application Deadline | Fall: July 14, 2025 – 12 PM EDT Winter: September 15, 2025 – 12 PM EDT | July 14, 2025 – 12 PM EDT |
| Student Participation | Minimum 100 students across all challenges | Minimum 25 students with structured placements and potential job offers |
| Industry Commitment | Industry-led challenge + 1 Career Readiness session | Industry-led placements, training, and possible post-program hiring |
| Formats Allowed | Hackathons, sprints, site visits, course-integrated challenges | Co-ops, full-time & part-time roles, internships, embedded capstones |
Eligibility
- All post-secondary institutions applying, and their industry partners, must be based in Ontario
- Industry partners must be Ontario-based automotive and mobility companies or organizations, including but not limited to:
- Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs); and/or
- Tier 1 suppliers; and/or
- Relevant start-ups or SMEs operating in the automotive and mobility space.
How Funding Works:
Stream 1 – Automotive Innovation Challenge (AIC)
| Category | Details |
| Maximum OVIN Funding | Up to $100,000 |
| OVIN Reimbursement | Covers 50% of total eligible project costs |
| Required Match | Minimum 1:1 match to OVIN’s contribution At least 50% of the match must come from the private sector |
| Example | Total Project Cost: $200,000 OVIN Contribution: $100,000 Matching Contribution: $100,000 (min. $50K private sector) |
| Funding Flow | OVIN funds flow to the Applicant only. Applicant is responsible for reimbursing partners (if applicable). |
Stream 2 – Experiential Learning Stream (ELS)
| Category | Details |
| Maximum OVIN Funding | Up to $200,000 |
| OVIN Reimbursement | Covers 50% of total eligible project costs |
| Required Match | Minimum 1:1 match to OVIN’s contribution 100% of the match must come from the private sector |
| Example | Total Project Cost: $400,000 OVIN Contribution: $200,000 Matching Contribution: $200,000 (all of which comes from the private sector) |
| Funding Flow | OVIN funds flow to the Applicant only. Applicant is responsible for reimbursing partners (if applicable). |
| Optional Faculty Role | Faculty or co-op coordinators may support students and ensure placements align with institutional standards. |
Eligible Expenses (for both Streams)
- Operating expenses directly related to program delivery
- Salaries (including program coordination and admin roles)
- Travel related to program execution
- Refer to OVIN’s Eligible Expenses Guidelines for full details
Important Note: If matching commitments are not met, or if the project is underspent, OVIN’s final contribution will be reduced proportionally
Flow of Funds:
- OVIN only reimburses eligible expenses. Refer to the Eligible Expenses Guidelines for details.
- Funding starts once the agreement is signed by all parties.
- An advance payment of up to 75% may be released at OVIN’s discretion once the project begins.
- Applicants must give a progress presentation halfway through the program.; during this progress presentation, applicants will be asked to present on program progress including any successes, challenges, and a budget update to see if any alterations are needed. The budget update will need to include total expenditures of OCI project funding and total industry in-kind contributions.
- The final 25% is paid after OVIN approves the final report, which must include financials, receipts, proof of payment, and confirmation of how funds were used.
How to apply
Full Application Submission Due Dates:
- Stream 1 – Fall Cohort: July 14, 2025, at 12 PM EDT
- Stream 1 – Winter Cohort: September 15, 2025, at 12 PM EDT
- Stream 2 (Experiential Learning): July 14, 2025, at 12 PM EDT
Note: Applicants can apply to both Stream 1 cohorts, but must propose distinct programs (different partners, challenges, and budgets).
For more details about this program, please see the Program Guidelines (PDF).
If you have any questions about the process, please contact Curtis Lundgren, Project Lead on OVIN’s Talent Strategy and Workforce Planning team at clundgren@oc-innovation.ca for further information.
Links to Important Documents:
Proponent Information Session:
Thursday June 26th, 2025 11:00 am
Intake Form
Submit this intake form and see if this program is the right fit for your business!