R&D Partnership Fund – Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) and Smart Mobility: Stream 2

The R&D Partnership Fund – Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) and Smart Mobility: Stream 2, administered by the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network

Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)

Overview of the R&D Partnership Fund – Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) and Smart Mobility: Stream 2 program:

This program focuses on advancing Ontario's automotive and mobility sectors by funding projects that develop and demonstrate technologies in key areas, including: Mass light vehicles (cars, trucks, vans) Heavy-duty vehicles (commercial vehicles, trucks, buses, recreational vehicles) Transportation infrastructure Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Transit-supportive systems and vehicles Eligible projects should be at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3-9 and involve collaboration between an applicant and at least one partner.

Benefits of the R&D Partnership Fund – Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) and Smart Mobility: Stream 2 program:

Participants in the program can expect:
Financial support to advance C/AV and smart mobility technology projects.
Opportunities to commercialize Ontario-made technologies.
Demonstration of technologies to potential customers.
Collaboration with researchers to extend company R&D capabilities.
Development of marketable solutions to current industry challenges.
Fostering of public/private partnerships and collaboration.
Societal benefits include increased road safety, improved road condition monitoring, enhanced collection and analysis of transportation-related information, innovative products and services to improve driver performance, and a reduced environmental and carbon footprint.

Eligibility criteria of the R&D Partnership Fund – Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) and Smart Mobility: Stream 2 program:

Eligible applicants must:
Be small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 500 global, full-time employees.
Have operations in Ontario and conduct the project within the province.
Eligible partners include:
SMEs
National and multinational enterprises
Academic institutions (as clients only)
Municipalities
Indigenous communities
Not-for-profit organizations representing industry
Crown corporations
Transit authorities
Additional partners can join the project, with no limit on the number of partners. Partnerships should represent significant potential commercial opportunities for all parties.