IVADO, the Acceleration Consortium and the Institut Courtois Announce Recipients of Their Joint Funding Programs for AI-Accelerated Materials Discovery

This initiative is supported by the Acceleration Consortium’s and IVADO’s Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) grantsand the Université de Montréal’s Institut Courtois   

Continuing its efforts to advance the emerging field of accelerated discovery, the Acceleration Consortium (AC) has partnered with IVADO and the Institut Courtois at the Université de Montréal (UdeM) to award two new grants that expand the scope and depth of research using self-driving labs (SDLs).  

Joint IVADO-AC Collaboration Funding program  

The Joint IVADO–AC Collaboration Funding program supports projects driving the transition to accelerated materials and molecular discovery. It funds the development and deployment of AI-enabled automation workflows, advances the AC’s network of self-driving labs, and explores the broader social and economic impacts of these technologies.  

Project proposals were required to align with molecular discovery and have a strong AI component. This funding program is designed to expand the accelerated discovery ecosystem, enabling new researchers to enter the field of accelerated discovery while strengthening collaboration across institutions to tackle shared challenges.  

To qualify, projects had to be led by at least two principal investigators: one from the University of Toronto and one from an IVADO partneruniversity (Université de Montréal, Polytechnique Montréal, HEC Montréal, Université Laval, or McGill University).  

The award recipients are:  

Audrey Laventure, Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal and Helen Tran, Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto   

$250,000 over two years  

Machine learning driven structure-property prediction of peptoids for accelerated discovery of biocompatible molecules  

Peptoids are lab-created “cousins” of peptides, designed to be more stable and perform functions in the body that peptides cannot. This project aims to accelerate the discovery of safer drug and formulation ingredients using peptoids, with a focus on replacing polyethylene glycol (PEG), a widely used ingredient now linked to allergic reactions. To better understand how different peptoids behave, researchers will combine machine learning with self-driving lab (SDL) technology to rapidly design, test, and refine new candidates. Data from these automatedexperiments will build a growing database of peptoid properties, helping to speed up innovation and position the teams as leaders in thisemerging field.  

Joint Institut Courtois-IVADO-AC Impact Grant  

The Joint Institut Courtois-IVADO-AC Impact Grant supports high-risk, high-reward research that advances the development and application of SDLs. Delivered in partnership across three organizations, the program is designed to strengthen Canada’s accelerated discovery ecosystemand catalyze bold approaches to the field’s most pressing challenges.  

Project proposals were required to focus on materials discovery, include the use of AI, and foster new collaborations between the AccelerationConsortium, Institut Courtois, and IVADO.  

To qualify, teams were required to include at least three co-investigators: a member of Institut Courtois, an AC professor from the University of Toronto, and a researcher from an IVADO partner university.  

The award recipients are:  

Alán Aspuru-Guzik, Departments of Chemistry, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Materials Science, and Engineering, University of Toronto; Carlos Silva Acuña, Departments of Physics and Chemistry, Université de Montréal; Stéphane Kena-Cohen, Department of Engineering Physics, Polytechnique Montréal; and Han Hao, Acceleration Consortium, University of Toronto  

$400,000 over two years  

Automated generation of multi-fidelity dynamics databases for Organic Lasers and coherently coupled Super-Emitters  

Organic materials can produce bright, energy-efficient light for applications ranging from displays and sensors to medical imaging and emerging quantum technologies, but their performance depends on tiny molecular vibrations that can either enhance or limit light emission. This project aims to better understand and control these vibrations to design more effective light sources. Researchers will combine machine learning with SDL technology, integrating automated synthesis, advanced spectroscopy, and device testing into a coordinated, AI-guidedsystem. By analyzing how molecular structure and environment influence brightness and coherence, the team will rapidly design and test new materials, building a shared database and establishing new design rules to accelerate innovation in organic photonics.  

The AC opens its next Accelerate grant funding competition in summer 2026.     

About IVADO  

IVADO is an interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral research and knowledge mobilization consortium whose mission is to develop and promote a robust, reasoning and responsible AI. Led by Université de Montréal with four university partners (Polytechnique Montréal, HEC Montréal, Université Laval and McGill University), IVADO brings together research centers, government bodies and industry members to co-build ambitious cross-sectoral initiatives with the goal of fostering a paradigm shift for AI and its adoption. 

About the Acceleration Consortium  

Based at the University of Toronto, the Acceleration Consortium (AC) is a global community of government, academia, and industry that uses AI and automation to accelerate the discovery of materials and molecules needed for a sustainable future—such as life-saving medications, biodegradable plastics, and renewable energy.  

About Institut Courtois   

The Institut Courtois was born of a simple idea and an unabashed dream: to transform scientific research by pursuing non-oriented basic research in state-of-the art facilities. The Institute is therefore dedicated to ambitious open research.  

At the intersection of new materials, quantum physics and artificial intelligence, the Institut Courtois explores the frontiers of matter by bringingtogether the latest advances in information technology with research in chemistry and physics.  

The Institute offers a space for interchange between cutting-edge theoretical and experimental approaches to material properties research. Itsinnovation ecosystem embraces both distinguished and promising young researchers who have come together at the University of Montreal’sMIL campus to push back the limits of knowledge.