ABOUT THE ACCELERATION CONSORTIUM:

Funded by a Canada First Research Excellence Fund grant to the University of Toronto, the Acceleration Consortium (AC) will transform the discovery of new molecules and materials. Through the development of self-driving labs that leverage advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, the AC will rapidly design and test new sustainable materials that have the potential to address major social, economic, and environmental challenges. This interdisciplinary initiative will expedite the adoption and commercialization of new technologies while ensuring that they are ethically designed, sustainable, and engage Indigenous knowledges.  

PURPOSE OF INITIATE GRANTS:

Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are fundamental to research and innovation at the University of Toronto and core values of the AC. The University is committed to removing systemic barriers that prevent members of under-represented groups from participating in research.  

EDI Initiate Grants will provide dedicated funding to support faculty members and trainees in launching new projects, programming, or events that address EDI barriers and challenges in the AC’s focus areas (see , below). The grants will support members of the University community in becoming EDI champions and developing new initiatives that lead to positive culture change in the research ecosystem by advancing EDI, accessibility, anti-racism work, and pathways to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and communities.  

Initiatives may include (but are not limited to) workshops or symposia, presentations by invited speakers, the development of resources, community outreach events, and knowledge mobilization initiatives not typically addressed by traditional funding programs.

VALUE:  

Applicants may request up to $20,000.

There is a total of $40,000 available for this round of grants. The number of grants awarded will depend on the total amount requested.  

ELIGIBILITY:

Applications are open to individuals or teams of individuals who hold an eligible academic appointment or who are currently trainees (undergraduate students, graduate students, or post-doctoral fellows) at the University of Toronto.  

Trainee-led projects must identify at least one faculty member who will champion the initiative and will be the administering Principal Investigator on the awarded funds.  

In cases where faculty member has not been identified at the time of the application, the AC and the Division of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, will provide support, when possible, in matching the project team with an appropriate faculty member.

Eligible initiatives must advance EDI and address barriers to participation for current and future researchers and/or community members in one of the AC’s research areas:  

• the accelerated development of self-driving labs, integrating chemistry, materials science, AI, robotics, and advanced computing

• the application of self-driving labs to the development of sustainable products in areas such as renewable energy, recyclable plastics, drug discovery, medical technologies, electronics, building materials, and transportation

• the economic, social, and ethical implications of self-driving labs, including technology and materials adoption, organizational change, and ethical uses of AI co-creation with Indigenous communities and the meaningful integration of Indigenous knowledges in substance creation and chemical management  

For more information about eligibility, please contact acceleration@utoronto.ca.

ELIGIBLE EXPENSES:

Use of the grant funds must comply with the Canada First Research Excellence Fund Administration Guidelines.  

Purchases of small equipment (e.g., laptops) may be eligible, provided they are well justified.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Applications must be aligned with the AC’s research objectives and goals, and will be assessed based on the following equally weighted criteria:

• Quality of the proposed initiative or project, including clarity of the objectives and deliverables, a demonstrated understanding of the systemic barriers that will be addressed, and appropriate engagement with members of under-represented communities;  

• Feasibility of the proposed initiative or project, including consideration of the size or scope of the project, the timelines, the size or capacity of the team, and the justification of the budget; and

• Potential impact of the initiative or project in creating a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive research environment

APPLICATION:  

Submit your application here. Forms must be received by May 16^th, 2025.  

SELF IDENTIFICATION DEMOGRAPHIC DATA SURVEY

The AC requires accurate demographic data to understand the diversity of our community and to monitor our progress toward implementing EDI principles. All applicants to EDI Initiate Grants will therefore be required to complete a brief self-identification survey to be considered for funding; a survey invitation will be sent to you directly. While completion of the survey is mandatory, you may select “prefer not to answer” in response to any of the questions. Any information directly related to you will be held confidentially, and only aggregated, deidentified information will be shared for the purposes of reporting.

ADJUDICATION PROCESS:

Applications will be adjudicated by the AC’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (EDI&B) Committee, using the selection criteria outlined above. Applications will be assessed solely on the basis of the information provided in the application form.  

Grant results will be released by June 2025

DURATION OF AWARD:  

Funds will be made available to successful applicants by July 3^rd, 2025. The expected duration of the grant is one year, with the possibility of a no-cost extension. Requests for extensions must be submitted to acceleration@utoronto.ca at least one month prior to the original award end date.

RENEWALS:

Successful AC Initiate Grant recipients also have the opportunity to submit a request for an award renewal, which would extend the grant term and award an additional year of funding. Renewal requests must be submitted three months prior to the current Initiate award end date, via a form that will be made available upon request. Renewal requests will be adjudicated by the EDI&B Committee, based on the progress and outcomes of the funded projects to date, and updated plans for future impact.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:

Consistent with our responsibilities to the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, the following reports must be submitted at the end of the grant period:

• A fiscal report of all expenditures, submitted by the administering department or division

• A brief progress report, prepared by the grant holder(s), describing the deliverables and impacts.

Representatives from each funded team will also participate in an annual EDI Initiate Grants showcase,  where they will share their project’s objectives and progress.

SPONSOR ACKNOWLEDEMENT

The Canada First Research Excellence Fund and the Acceleration Consortium should be acknowledged in all presentations, events, online or published materials, or publicity for the project. The following text can be used: “This [project/event/workshop] was supported by a grant from the University of Toronto’s Acceleration Consortium, which is funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund.”

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