QEW Innovation Corridor - Partnerships Stream

📋 Eligible Entities - Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) as primary applicants - Businesses must be registered in Ontario - Companies operating in advanced mobility and smart technology sectors - Technology providers and automotive-related businesses - Potential partnerships with research institutions or post-secondary organizations - Consortiums of eligible businesses (for collaborative projects) - Excludes: large corporations, non-profits without commercial operations, sole proprietors without established business registration ### 💰 Funding Details - Maximum Grant Amount: $150,000 per project - Funding Type: Non-repayable grant (contribution) - Matching Requirements: Typically 40-50% cost-sharing expected from applicant (verify with program administrator) - Total Project Budget: Minimum ~$250,000-$375,000 (depending on matching ratio) - Disbursement: Staged payments tied to milestones and deliverables - Currency: Canadian dollars - Eligible Costs: Direct project costs; ineligible costs typically exclude land acquisition and loan repayment ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses - Pilot Project Development: Design and testing of smart mobility solutions - Technology Integration: Hardware and software for connected vehicle systems - Research & Development: Feasibility studies and proof-of-concept work - Equipment & Infrastructure: Installation of supporting technology on QEW corridor - Personnel Costs: Salaries for project staff and dedicated resources (typically capped at percentage of budget) - Professional Services: Engineering, consulting, and technical expertise - Testing & Validation: Data collection, analysis, and performance evaluation - Commercialization Planning: Market assessment and deployment strategy development ### ⚠️ Conditions & Milestones - Pilot Location: Project must be implemented on the designated 40km QEW corridor section (Burlington to Toronto) - Technology Focus: Must align with smart mobility or connected vehicle advancement - Project Timeline: Typically 18-24 months from funding approval to completion - Reporting Requirements: - Quarterly progress reports - Final project report with results and learnings - Data