Sponsor
Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
Program
Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)
Description
The TalentEdge Internship Program (TIP) stream of the OVIN program provides support for current college and university students and recent undergraduate or Master’s graduates, to work on industry driven research and development projects related to automotive and smart mobility technology such as Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) technologies, Electric Vehicles (EV), battery technologies the metallurgical (metal & mining) sector and other related areas. Companies can tap into world-class talent coming out of Ontario's publicly-funded post-secondary institutions and strengthen their capacity to develop new products, services and processes, while interns receive hands-on industry experience in areas such as software and hardware development, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.
Benefits to Companies
- Gain access to cutting-edge knowledge, new talent, unique facilities, and equipment to extend company R&D capabilities.
- Create solutions to current industry challenges, leading to increased productivity, cost savings, revenue, and job creation.
- Develop and retain top talent in Ontario.
Benefits to Interns and Post-Secondary Institutions
- Gain valuable, hands-on experience.
- Use knowledge and innovative ideas to help solve real-world R&D challenges.
- Establish relationships with industry and within OCI’s networks.
Eligibility
- Or recent graduates from an undergraduate program from an accredited College/University (within three years of graduation).
Graduate level:
- Current Masters and PhD students, (registered at accredited College or University in Ontario).
- Recent Masters graduates from an accredited College/University (within three years of graduation).
- For institution-based internships, the intern must have active status at the academic institution for the duration of the internship.
- For company-based internships, the intern must be eligible to work in Ontario (residence of Ontario) and have employee status at the company for the duration of the internship.
- Consecutive internships may be held.
- The intern may not apply with a company where there is any conflict of interest, including, but not limited to, a company where the intern or relatives have any control as a major creditor or shareholder or governing board member.
- Interns may not apply if they are currently enrolled in a co-op program or other equivalent job placement/employment program.
- The intern may not apply if, at the time of application submission, they are a current or past employee (within the last six months) of the company (including consultants, contract position, part-time, etc.).
Company Eligibility
- For-profit, incorporated in Ontario or Canada, and has a valid CRA business number.
- Is using or developing technology-based innovation related to automotive and smart mobility technology such as Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) technologies, Electric Vehicles (EV), battery technologies, metallurgical (metal & mining) technologies, and other related areas for competitive advantage in provincial, national and/or global markets.
- Has R&D operations in Ontario related to the project.
- Has the intent and potential to apply, exploit and/or commercialize the results of the project for the economic benefit of Ontario o Has the necessary expertise and resources to put the project into effect within an appropriate timeframe.
- Company subsidiaries (organizations with headquarters outside of Ontario) are eligible, provided that the Ontario operations meet all of the above criteria.
- For institution-based internships, the applicant and industry partner MUST have an arms-length relationship.
- All applicants and partners MUST be in good financial and reporting standing with OCI.
Project Eligibility
- Defined project with clear activities, milestones, and outcomes, to be executed within the duration of the internship (not a “first job”-type placement).
- Has an R&D component related to automotive and smart mobility technology such as Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) technologies, Electric Vehicles (EV), battery technologies, metallurgical (metal & mining) technologies and other related areas.
- Interns will receive on-the-job training in areas related to automotive and smart mobility technology such as software and hardware development, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.
- Commensurate with the intern’s experience and expertise.
- Maximum of six units per application/company in a year (i.e., maximum $60,000 in OCI contribution per application).
- Maximum of six units active per company at any given time. (i.e., maximum $60,000 in OCI contribution per company).
- Institution-based internships: the parties are bound by the IP terms of the university or college, unless a separate agreement between the parties is in effect for the duration of the internship.
- Company-based internships: the parties are bound by the IP terms of the company where the intern is an employee for the duration of the internship.
- Participants MUST enter into an agreement with OCI and cooperate in providing project outcomes and metrics, annually at a minimum.
Funding Availability
OCI Contribution
$30,000 for three units (fixed 12-month period) for eligible project costs, up to maximum of $60,000 (six units – fixed 24-month period).
Industry Partner Contribution
$30,000 ($15,000 cash plus $15,000 in-kind) minimum per three units (12-month period) Of the total $60,000internship budget, the intern MUST receive a minimum cash compensation of $30,000 (institution-based internship) or $45,000 (company-based internship). The remainder may be used for direct project costs.
Indirect Costs
0%
Project Duration
Projects can be up to two years in length.
Special Notes
Please note that research activities carried out in the context of COVID-19 need to adhere to the University of Guelph COVID-19 research principles, policies, guidelines and processes as they may be updated from time to time and communicated on the Office of Research web-page.
Additional information can be found in OCI's program guidelines or OCI's Knowledge Base (Frequently Asked Questions).
Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Notes |
|---|---|
Internal Deadline | This program accepts applications on a rolling basis. Please submit your complete application, including budget and OR-5, to research.services@uoguelph.ca one week prior to your intended submission to OCI. |
How to Apply
1. If you are ready to start applying for the OVIN – TalentEdge Internship Program, please submit a Client Intake Form.
2. If the applicant/partner, intern, and project meet the program eligibility criteria, you will be sent a link to OCI’s online application system, AccessOCI.
3. Complete the online application form, in collaboration with the industry partner if applicable, and upload the required supporting documents.
Required supporting documents:
- Company Profile submitted by the applicant company/industry partner, including valid nine-digit CRA business number, incorporation date and number of employees (globally and in Ontario).
- Academic supervisor’s CV or NSERC Form 100/103CV (institution-based internships only).
- Intern’s CV.
- Intern’s official transcript.
4. OCI will internally review the application for eligibility, completeness, and financial compliance. A list of any deficiencies will be sent to the applicant for revision. Applicants will have only two occasions to make all required changes to their application; if outstanding issues remain after the second revision, the application will be withdrawn.
5. Eligible and complete applications will be sent for review by external, subject matter experts. A funding decision will be provided within four to six weeks.
For more information, please review the program guidelines.