OVIN — TalentEdge Fellowship ### 📋 Eligible Entities - Private sector companies operating in Ontario - Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) prioritized - Organizations across all industry sectors (manufacturing, technology, services, etc.) - Companies with demonstrated capacity to mentor and supervise fellows - Businesses seeking to build internal innovation and product development capabilities - Organizations must be registered and operating in Ontario ### 💰 Funding Details - Grant Amount: Covers a portion of fellow salary/stipend costs (exact amounts vary by cohort) - Matching Requirement: Employer contribution required (typically 50% or more of fellow costs) - Repayability: Non-repayable grant (not a loan) - Duration: Typically 4–12 months per fellowship placement - Number of Positions: Single or multiple fellows per organization (subject to program capacity) - No Direct Cash Payment to Fellow: Funds flow to employer to offset employment costs ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses - Fellow salary or stipend - Mentorship coordination and supervision time - On-the-job training and skill development programs - Tools, software, or equipment directly supporting the fellow's project work - Project-related materials and resources - Reasonable administrative costs directly tied to fellowship management ### ⚠️ Conditions & Milestones - Recruitment: Organization must hire a recent graduate or current student from Ontario's publicly-funded post-secondary institutions - Mentorship Requirement: Dedicated mentor or supervisor must be assigned; regular check-ins and skill-building activities required - Project Scope: Fellow work must focus on developing new products, services, or processes - Reporting: Progress reports and milestone documentation required at set intervals - Employment Standards: Fellow must be treated as regular employee; all employment and tax obligations apply - Outcome Tracking: Organizations must track and report on innovation outcomes and fellow competency development - Timeline Adherence: Funds must be utilized within specified program period; extensions subject to approval - Intellectual Property: Clear agreements required regarding IP ownership between employer and fellow