An Industry Task Force guided the development of APC. This included identifying research priorities, grouped under three strategic themes. All research to be supported must fall under at least one of the 10 priority areas listed below.

Improving the Automobile's Environmental Performance and Impact

Lighter Weight and/or Sustainable Materials
Advanced Powertrain
Energy Storage
Application of Alternative Fuels

The Cognitive Car

Vehicular Software
Electronics and Mechatronics for Safety and Performance Enhancement
Wireline and Wireless Communications for Vehicular Application

Next Generation Manufacturing

Manufacturing Processes for Mass Reduction
Manufacturing Processes for Cost Reduction and Quality Improvement
Improving Manufacturing Flexibility and Efficiency

NEW: Research in the Social Sciences and Humanities

APC will consider proposals in social sciences and humanities that fall outside of the 10 research priority areas listed above, as long as they adhere to the following two requirements:

The proposed research must be devoted to maintaining and enhancing the competitiveness of the Canadian automotive sector. Specific subject matter is not defined; rather, academic researchers, in collaboration with their non-academic partner(s), may focus on issues related to understanding, maintaining and enhancing the competitiveness of the Canadian automotive sector.
The research must be carried out in conjunction with a non-academic partner, or partners, that can apply and use the research results. The partner(s) must play an active role in both the development of the proposal and the research throughout the life of the project. Partners may include: private sector corporations; industrial associations or consortia; labour unions; non-governmental organizations; key government departments; or others, as appropriate.

Applicants are reminded to contact the APC Project Office to determine eligibility and submission criteria before developing a proposal.

Research in the social sciences and humanities will be evaluated according to these criteria.