How EVIO Works
With more than a century of experience in automotive manufacturing, Ontario boasts world-leading vehicle assemblers, parts manufacturers, and research centres. As EV firms establish their operations in Ontario, they are looking to build related R&D facilities. However, many firms find significant challenges in staffing these facilities.
EVIO will partner with firms across the EV supply chain to understand the technologies they are seeking to develop. From the roadmaps of these technology development ambitions at EV firms, EVIO’s team of experts will identify the R&D challenges that need to be solved for the next technology to be shaped in Canada and match these to advanced “trainees” – master’s and PhD students and post-doctoral fellows. These highly skilled trainees will support firms in developing and productizing critical technologies through 8-16-month on-site placements with companies.
Each eligible project will be funded as follows:
- $80,000 towards the graduate trainee: $55,000 from EVIO and $25,000 from the industry partner
- + $10,000 towards project management, equipment, and materials required for the project
Eligibility
EVIO supports collaborative R&D projects between trainees and industry partners in Ontario’s EV sector. To participate in EVIO, applicants must meet the following criteria:
For Companies
- Must be a Canadian company operating in or contributing to the EV ecosystem (including mobility, electric infrastructure, semiconductors, etc.)
- Must be willing to co-develop a research project with a post-graduate trainee and provide mentorship and support
- Must align with EVIO’s mission to grow firm capacity, generate IP, and support HQP development
For Trainees
- Must be a graduate student (master’s or PhD) or post-doctoral fellow enrolled at one of EVIO’s partner universities
- Must be engaged in a research project aligned with EVIO’s technology development and commercialization goals
- Must be partnered with an eligible company in the EV space
- Must have an academic supervisor from their home institution
For Supervisors (Academic)
- Must be a faculty member at one of the EVIO partner universities
- Must provide research guidance and oversight for the trainee
- Must support alignment with EVIO’s innovation and commercialization goals
Project Requirements
- Projects must be industry-led and demonstrate potential for innovation, commercialization, and impact in Ontario’s EV sector
- Each project must be approved by EVIO’s Innovation Management Committee (IMC)