Automotive Innovation Challenge

The OVIN Automotive Innovation Challenge (AIC) brings together industry and post-secondary institutions to provide students with practical, hands-on experiences that will allow them to apply their knowledge and skills in solving real-world problems Ontario’s automotive and mobility sector is facing. 

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.  

• 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. 

• Industry partners and applicants are required to contribute resources such as expertise and other appropriate resources towards the program in a 1:1 match. 

Matching Contribution

Applicant institutions and their industry partners are required to support the program through contributions equal to OVIN’s requested contribution, at least 50% of which must come from the private sector.  

From Applicants that are classified as Post-Secondary Institutions:  

Applicants that are classified as post-secondary institutions must contribute to the program by having at least one full-time employee whose salary for the program’s duration is paid wholly by the applicant. This employee must be dedicated to the development and implementation of the program. This employee’s role within the applicant’s organization and this employee’s expertise must be described in the applicant’s proposal. This employee will also be OVIN’s point of contact.  

Please note: 

1. Matching contributions must be unencumbered from other government grant sources (it cannot be used to leverage other public funds to pay for a portion of the same activity) and must come directly from the applicant institution’s own budget. This must be clear in the applicant’s budget justification.  

2. Applicants are responsible for meeting their commitment to the matching contribution. Underspending will result in an equal amount deducted from OVIN’s final contribution.  

From Industry Partners: 

Applicant institutions’ industry partners are required to support the program through contributions equal to at least 50% of OVIN’s requested contribution and outlined in a Letter of Support. Contributions can include staff time, expertise, opportunities for student participants to engage with industry, and other appropriate resources.