Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN) WinterTech Development Program

Ontario has had no shortages of severe winters. As this season renews each year, these harsh environments provide many opportunities for businesses to develop and test innovative technologies to help increase road safety for drivers and pedestrians. The Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN) has recently announced the AVIN WinterTech Development Program, which is allocating funding for new products and services to do just that – meet the unique demands of winter weather conditions.

Successful WinterTech applicants may receive up to one-third of eligible project costs up to a maximum of $500,000 in Ontario government funding.

The AVIN WinterTech Development Program will leverage the strengths and innovative abilities of Ontario SMEs and establish the province as a testbed for mobility products and services in severe winter weather conditions. Via the program, Ontario will be a global leader in the commercialization of new winter-ready mobility solutions and technologies. Interested applicants should take note of the upcoming due dates: the expression of interest deadline is September 5, 2019 and the full application deadline is October 17, 2019.

About the AVIN WinterTech Development Program

The Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN) WinterTech Development Program is an Ontario government funding program designed to support projects related to the development, validation, testing, demonstration, and prototyping of mobility technologies and services designed to meet the unique demands of winter weather conditions.

The WinterTech program covers up to 33% of eligible expenses to a maximum of $500k in funding for cold weather technologies.

There is a minimum 2:1 cash match requirement by applicants and/or partners. The match must come from private sector contributions.

Applicant Eligibility: AVIN WinterTech Development Program

Applicant eligibility criteria for the AVIN WinterTech funding includes:

• Small-or Medium-sized Enterprise (SME); and
• Operations (manufacturing, R&D, product management, etc.) in Ontario;
• Fewer than 500 full-time employees; and
• Minimum of two partners: SME and another non-academic partner.

Partner eligibility criteria for the AVIN WinterTech funding includes:

• Small- or medium-sized enterprise (SME);
• National and multi-national enterprises (NEs and MNEs);
• Municipalities;
• Indigenous communities;
• Not-for-profit organizations; or
• Publicly-funded post-secondary academic institutions (as secondary partners only).

Both applicants and partners are to demonstrate, commercialize, and/or implement the results of the project in Ontario and for the benefit of Ontario and be highly innovative businesses developing products or services addressing industry challenges.

Project Eligibility: AVIN WinterTech Development Program

AVIN WinterTech Ontario government funding supports projects related to the development, validation, testing, demonstration, and prototyping of mobility technologies and services designed to meet the unique demands of winter weather conditions. Projects can be up to 24 months in duration.

Projects need to be technology, products, and/or services for severe winter conditions (including, but not limited to snow, freezing rain, hail, and extreme cold) for the following priority areas:

• Mass light vehicles (cars, trucks, vans)
• Transportation infrastructure
• Intelligent transportation systems (ITS)
• Transit-supportive systems and vehicles
• Heavy duty vehicles (commercial trucks, tucks, buses, RVs, and others used for goods movements)

*Projects should be at a Technology Readiness Level of 5-7.

Eligible Costs: AVIN WinterTech Development Program

Eligible expenses for AVIN WinterTech funding includes:

• In-province (Ontario) project-related travel expenses
• Payroll for project-based employees
• R&D costs
• Sub-contractor & consulting fees
• Materials & supplies
• Hardware/software/equipment rental and/or purchase costs
• Logistical cost of moving equipment/prototypes
• Capital lease (not including interest)
• Personnel training & technique development
• Regulatory compliance/legal/accounting/audit/insurance costs
• Leasehold improvement costs (occurring after approval)
• Related sales and marketing costs
• Rental, lease, and utilities cost for research facilities

Apply for AVIN WinterTech Ontario Government Funding

The WinterTech Development Program contains two stages: expression of interest (EOI) and full application. The expression of interest submission deadline is September 5, 2019 and the full application submission deadline is October 17, 2019.

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Mentor Works to discuss the program focus and determine if your upcoming project is positioned to succeed. We can also help optimize the application and reporting process.

Contact Mentor Works to get started with the AVIN WinterTech Development Program.