OCE Changes Name to the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)

The Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) is renaming themselves to better showcase their goal of helping the people of Ontario reap the personal and economic benefits of leading-edge research underway at our publicly funded universities, colleges, and research hospitals.

As of 2021, the OCI will now be named the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI).

OCI has provided over $360.7M in funding towards innovative Ontario-made R&D projects, creating over 6,500+ jobs as a direct result of their efforts. You can find some of their active research & development funding programs listed below:

Active OCI Funding Programs

Voucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP)

This research & development funding program helps for-profit businesses collaborating with academic partners to create new products and services, with a preference towards products and services that can be exported to new markets.

Amount of funding: Access up to 50% of project costs to a maximum $20,000-$75,000. Company contribution towards project to be made in cash and in-kind.

Eligible Applicants: Academic/industry collaborations can apply to solve critical industry problems. Must be company’s first project with the academic applicant.

Eligible Activities: Research to develop new innovative products, processes, and services. Projects must be geared towards expanding export markets.

Learn more about the Voucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP).

ENCQOR 5G SME Technology Development Program (5G SDP)

This R&D program supports the development of pre-commercial 5G technologies.

Amount of funding: Access up to $50k to $500k in Government Funding per application.

Eligible Applicants: For-profit SMEs with Ontario operations and fewer than 500 employees are eligible to apply.

Eligible Activities: Collaborative 5G technology development projects that have a technology readiness level (TRL) of 1-7.

Learn more about the ENCQOR 5G SME Technology Development Program (5G SDP).

Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN) WinterTech Program

This program is designed to financially support projects related to the development and prototyping of mobility technologies and services that meet the demands of winter weather conditions.

Amount of funding: Up to one-third of the eligible project costs up to a maximum of $500,000. Minimum 2:1 cash match by applicants and/or partners. The match must come from private sector contributions.

Eligible Applicants: Small-or Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) with operations in Ontario and fewer than 500 employees. Must have a minimum of two partners: an SME and another non-academic partner.

Eligible Activities: Technology/product/service validation, testing, demonstration, and prototyping of mobility products and services in severe winter weather conditions for priority areas: mass light vehicles, heavy duty vehicles, transportation infrastructure, intelligent transportation systems, and transit-supportive systems and vehicles.

Learn more about the Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN) WinterTech Program.

Find More Research & Development Funding Programs

The Canadian federal and provincial governments want to provide grants and loans to Canadian businesses that have innovative projects that will create new products and services for Canada. View the full directory of Canadian R&D funding programs.

Has your business ever considered partnering with a Canadian college or university to take advantage of the resources they can offer your business? If so, download our free Collaborative Research Project Guide to learn about the grants available to you and how the partnership process works from beginning to end.