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The University of Toronto Accelerate Grant Program 2025 is a globally inclusive research funding opportunity aimed at accelerating the pace of scientific discovery by integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, robotics, automation, and high-performance computing. The program is administered by the Acceleration Consortium (AC) at the University of Toronto, and it welcomes applications from researchers around the world, including those based in Africa and Nigeria, provided there is collaborative engagement with institutions affiliated with the AC or similar networks.

The core idea behind the program is the development and deployment of self-driving laboratories (SDLs)—automated, AI-powered research environments capable of autonomously designing, executing, and analyzing experiments. These SDLs are transforming how materials and molecular discoveries are conducted, drastically reducing the time, cost, and resource inputs required in traditional research processes. The program supports both the creation of new SDLs and advancements in AI and automation tools that enable their efficient function. Additionally, it is open to projects that use SDLs to solve critical problems in sustainability, environmental preservation, energy, health, and advanced manufacturing.

In line with its commitment to interdisciplinary innovation, the Accelerate Grant encourages proposals from a wide range of scientific fields, including physical sciences, life sciences, data science, computer science, social sciences, and humanities. Proposals that include Indigenous perspectives, engage with equity-deserving groups, and emphasize community-involved research are highly encouraged. This promotes inclusive innovation that reflects a diversity of voices, experiences, and cultural knowledge systems.

The University of Toronto Accelerate Grant Program 2025 features three distinct funding streams:

1. Accelerate Seed Funding – This funding stream provides up to CAD 125,000 over a one-year period to early-stage projects that demonstrate high innovation potential and alignment with AC objectives. It is ideal for research teams looking to explore or validate new concepts related to self-driving labs or their applications.

2. Joint CRAFT-AC Seed Funding – Offering up to CAD100,000 for one year, this stream supports collaborative initiatives between the Acceleration Consortium and the Centre for Research and Applications in Fluidic Technologies (CRAFT). Eligible proposals should address challenges at the intersection of automation, fluidics, and materials discovery.

3. Joint IVADO-AC Seed Funding – In collaboration with the Institute for Data Valorization (IVADO), this funding provides up to CAD $250,000 over two years. It is targeted at projects that fuse cutting-edge data science approaches with automated scientific research to develop novel discovery processes.
Projects that span across any of these streams are expected to clearly articulate their societal and global impact, including contributions toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as climate action, clean water, affordable energy, and health equity. Strong preference is given to projects that outline scalability, long-term sustainability, and real-world applicability.

Moreover, successful applicants will benefit from access to AC’s extensive academic and industry network, mentorship opportunities, technology-sharing platforms, and research dissemination channels. They will also gain visibility at global research events and benefit from open innovation platforms and collaboration hubs established by the University of Toronto and its partners.

This grant program is not only a financial boost but a launchpad for transformative scientific discovery, offering a robust foundation for high-risk, high-impact ideas that could redefine how we approach some of the world’s most pressing scientific and social challenges.

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Requirement/Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be affiliated with an academic or research institution, or part of a research collaboration involving such institutions.
Submit a project proposal that directly relates to the development or use of AI, automation, self-driving labs, or accelerated discovery technologies.
Demonstrate the feasibility, innovation, and societal impact of their proposed work.
Include an interdisciplinary research team with diverse skill sets.
Projects involving Indigenous knowledge systems, equity-deserving groups, or underrepresented communities are especially encouraged.
Open to Canadian and international researchers, including those from Nigeria, provided there is collaboration with University of Toronto-affiliated faculty or partners.