Skip to main content

OVIN Automotive Innovation Challenge

Sponsor/agency: Ontario Center for Innovation

Program: OVIN Automotive Innovation Challenge

Description 

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. 

This program 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. 

Ontario post-secondary institutions are 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.  

While there are two streams for the 2025-2026 academic year, only Stream 1 is currently open. 

  • Stream 1: Challenge-based learning tied to specific industry problem statements 

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 Summary 

Deadlines:

  • August 25, 2025: ORS notification of intent to apply 
  • September 2, 2025: Mandatory internal administrative review and RGA deadline
  • September 15, 2025: Agency submission deadline

Value: $100,000 (Note: Requires 1:1 match, with at least 50% from the private sector)

Indirect Costs: 35% on any cash contributions from external partners

Duration: Winter 2025–2026 term (Winter Term: End by Mar. 30, 2026; Report due Apr. 30, 2026)

How to Apply:

  1. Notify Joanne Hui of your intent to apply by August 25, 2025.
  2. Applicants must work with an OCI Business Development and Commercialization Manager (BDCM) to begin an application. ORS will facilitate the connection to the appropriate OCI BDCM. 
  3. Submit application and RGA form signed by your Dean to Joanne Hui for an administrative review. 

Contact: Joanne Hui 

Program information:

OVIN Automotive Innovation Challenge Program Website 

Eligibility 

Subject Matter 

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 o 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 

Target Participation: Minimum 100 students across all Stream 1 activities

Program Administration Requirements 

Applications must include a logistics plan covering: 

  • Staffing and roles, including matching contribution contacts
  • Materials and eligible expenses (see OVIN guidelines)
  • Timeline of activities
  • Student-industry engagement initiatives
  • Letter(s) of support from industry partners defining their role and contributions 

Marketing & Outreach Requirements

  • Must include a student engagement and recruitment strategy
  • All communications referencing OVIN require prior approval and must adhere to OVIN branding requirements
  • Any program images or videos must include documented informed consent

Required Industry Commitment: Industry-led challenge + 1 Career Readiness session 

Applicant 

Ontario-based publicly funded post-secondary institutions   

Partner Organization (required)

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. 

Resources