Stream 1 - Collaborative R&D Projects
As a pillar of the Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN), the AV R&D Partnership Fund supports projects related to the development and demonstration of technologies in the Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) sector in the following Priority Areas:
Select a category for detailed program information.
Program Name
AV Research and Development (R&D) Partnership Fund – Stream 1
Program Status and Submission Deadline
Closed for Applications✓ Open for Applications (accepted on a rolling basis)
What it Supports
Projects related to the development and demonstration of technologies
Project Sector
Connected / Autonomous Vehicles
Basic Eligibility Criteria
(A full list of eligibility requirements is available.)
Applicant:
Partners:
Project:
OCE Funding
Up to one-third of eligible project costs up to a maximum of $100,000
Project Duration
Up to 12 months
Matching Requirement
Minimum 2:1 cash match from Applicant and/or Partners. The match MUST come from private sector contributions.
How to Apply
See details on the How to Apply tab.
Contact
Search OCE’s Knowledge Base of Frequently Asked Questions. For further assistance, see details on the Contacts tab.
The AV R&D Partnership Fund (Stream 1) contributes up to one-third of eligible project costs, for approved projects, up to a maximum of $100,000, with the remainder contributed by Applicants and/or Partners. Project funding can be used towards the development and demonstration of technologies in the Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) sector, in the following Priority Areas:
Projects can benefit from additional funding to support qualified interns and /or fellows. For more information on support for internships and/or fellowships, please refer to the AVIN TalentEdge Internships and Fellowships guidelines.
Projects are encouraged to include demonstration of actual products, which can be showcased at events; at the Demonstration Zone in Stratford, Ontario; at one of the AVIN Regional Technology Development Sites with appropriate facilities; on the road, and/or at customer sites.
NOTE: AVIN does not preclude the testing and/or demonstration of C/AV technologies elsewhere in Ontario, subject to Ministry of Transportation’s (MTO's) Pilot Project (0. Reg. 306/15, under Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8) and all other applicable laws and regulations.
Intellectual Property (IP) arising from a project will be managed by project Applicant and Partners as OCE does not claim or manage IP rights.
The Applicant and the Primary Partner must have an arm’s-length business relationship.
Applications that are outside of the scope of the program may be referred to funding partners or other OCE administered programs as appropriate.
Benefits to Applicants and Partners
Benefits to Society
OCE Contribution
One-third (maximum) of total eligible project costs, up to $100,000
Two-thirds (minimum) of total eligible project costs (i.e. minimum 2:1 match to OCE contribution)
Example
Total eligible project costs: $100,000
Funding Recipient
OCE funds flow only to the Applicant. The Applicant is responsible to reimburse Partners, if applicable.
Academic Applicant Option
Application follows VIP II rules. OCE funding goes to the academic institution. OCE funding is matched by 100% cash (minimum) and 100% other contributions from industry partner.
Institutional Overhead
This program is not eligible for overhead payment by OCE. Academic overhead is also not an eligible expense.
This is a reimbursement program. Reimbursements are triggered by the submission and approval of quarterly reports.
NOTE: The maximum level—or stacking limit—of total government assistance (government assistance for the same eligible expenditures) will not exceed 75 per cent of the value of eligible expenditures. Applicants will be required to disclose all sources of funding being applied for and/or received for the project and the full proposal will incorporate a breakdown of all government assistance as required. Government assistance includes OCE administered programs and support from other levels of government in Canada.
NOTE: OCE and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) may partner to support selected collaborative Stream 1 and Collaborative Research and Development (CRD) or Applied Research and Development (ARD) (college only) projects. Partnership may be possible where the two applications are prepared in parallel, the projects are aligned and include unique and complementary milestones, and the industry cash contributions are not already allocated. Potential opportunities must be assessed by an OCE Business Development Manager on a case-by-case basis prior to commencing an application.
An application to Stream 1 can also embed a funding request for interns and fellows from the AVIN Talent Development program.
Partners for academic institution applicants can only be SMEs, NEs, or MNEs.
Wherever applicable, Applicants and Partners must:
Program Status: The Small Business Innovation Challenge is currently closed for applications.Stream 1 applications may be submitted at any time and are evaluated periodically.
To begin the application process, please complete a client intake form.
Start the application process*
Please note: completion of this form does not constitute an application for funding. An OCE Business Development Manager (BDM) will contact you to discuss the opportunity and assist you with developing your application. Your OCE BDM will also maintain oversight responsibility for any approved project.
Please contact your Business Development Manager to discuss potential applications to this program.
Activity
Date
Program Launch
November 8, 2017
Application Intake
Ongoing until December 31, 2021, or until all funds are allocated
Project Start Date Deadline
March 31, 2022
Deadline for the completion of all projects
Within 12-month period of project start date
The AV R&D Partnership Fund is a discretionary, non-entitlement program with limited funding. OCE will fund qualified projects with potential for the greatest economic benefits and contribution to transportation advancements to Ontario. Not all eligible applications can be funded.
All eligible applications are assessed on their merit and reviewed against program objectives and evaluation criteria.
Applications are internally reviewed for eligibility, completeness and financial compliance, prior to evaluation by independent external reviewers with domain and sector expertise. All reviewers are bound by Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). The final funding decision is made by OCE.
Evaluation criteria include, but are not limited to, the following:
NOTE: This program is not eligible for overhead payment by OCE. Academic overhead is also not an eligible expense.
Payments are based on the total OCE award project value (including the Talent Development (TalentEdge) Program, if applicable)
A major component of the AVIN Project is the generation and analysis of data and information to support Ontario’s C/AV ecosystem (e.g., governments, broader public-sector organizations, industry, academia, transportation authorities, etc.).
Copies of detailed reporting instructions and templates will be sent to successful parties at the time of contracting. Reports must be received and approved by OCE prior to release of funds for eligible claims.
The following project reports will be required. Please note that completion of all required reports is a contractual obligation to receive funding from OCE.
Quarterly reports (based on OCE’s fiscal year starting April 1), including progress, project metrics, data and information requirements, proof of expenditures and partnership contributions, financial attestation, and a request for reimbursement must be submitted by the Applicant. Report is accessed directly on the AccessOCE system from the Report Tab.
One Interim Report including progress, project metrics, data and information requirements, proof of expenditures and partnership contributions, financial attestation, and a request for disbursement must be submitted by the Applicant.
A final report, including progress, project metrics, data and information requirements, proof of expenditures and partnership contributions, financial attestation, and a request for reimbursement/disbursement, is required at the end of the project. Forty-five days prior to the scheduled completion date, the Applicant and all contributing Partners will receive an email notification of the project end date from the AccessOCE system, with a link to the Final Progress and Claim Report should the parties wish to begin entering data.
Note: Applicants MUST retain all proof of purchases, receipts, and other relevant documentation relating to eligible expenses. These should be included in all reporting.
If a project continues past an OCE fiscal year end (March 31), the Applicant and contributing Partners will be required to complete an annual metrics survey each April, for the part of the project that has been completed since the previous March 31. This annual report is mandatory for OCE to fulfil its contract with its funders. Required metrics reports must be submitted to maintain good financial standing with OCE.
At one, two and three years after project completion, the Applicant will be sent a link to complete a retrospective survey to collect data on commercial outcomes from the project. This information is required by OCE for assessment of program impact and continuous improvement.
For any variances to the OCE budget of $5000 or greater, or extensions to the project end date, the Applicant must complete a Project Change Request form prior to the project end date, using the Project Administration tab in their Access OCE project file.
For inquiries related to application initiation, please contact:
Martin Lord Senior Sector Manager, Automotive and Mobility Tel: (416) 861 1092 x9-3236 Email: ac.noitavonni-co@droLM
For general, eligibility, contracting and funding disbursement inquiries, please contact:
Shane Daly Coordinator, Automotive and Mobility Innovation Tel: (416) 861 1092 x9-5017 Email: ac.noitavonni-co@ylads
Program Status: ✓ Open for Applications (accepted on a rolling basis)