Obtaining the NSERC CREATE grant for the creation of the Advanced Materials Academy (AMA)

We are pleased to announce that the RQMP has obtained a grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) CREATE program (Training oriented towards novelty, collaboration and research experience).

This grant will support a new initiative, the Advanced Materials Academy (AMA), whose objective is to train the next generation of researchers and professionals in the field of advanced materials. The Academy will offer students an innovative, interdisciplinary training path that complements the curriculum of the study programs, which will focus on exploring advanced instrumentation, sustainable development, artificial intelligence and big data, but also business and entrepreneurship, communications, project management, knowledge transfer, ethics and the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion.

This project is made possible through the collaboration of various industry partners, RQMP members, and the four participating institutions: Université de Montréal, Université de Sherbrooke, McGill University, and Polytechnique Montréal.

The program is aimed at graduate students in chemistry, physics, or engineering in the advanced materials sector who wish to deepen their knowledge in the field, develop new professional skills, and better prepare for the job market.

The Academy will offer a comprehensive recruitment approach, hands-on workshops in state-of-the-art facilities, immersive international or industry experiences, diversified training covering technical and professional skills, an annual international summer school, as well as mentoring and inclusive networking activities.

The NSERC CREATE grant will contribute to:

  • Offer scholarships to students to facilitate their participation in the program;
  • Establish a training structure aimed at developing interdisciplinary and professional skills;
  • Facilitate collaboration between academic and industrial researchers;
  • Support student mobility nationally and internationally.

We are extremely excited to receive this funding from NSERC. It will allow us to create a stimulating and innovative environment where our young researchers can develop the skills needed to excel in the field of advanced materials and will be better equipped to begin their careers in the professional world.” – Delphine Bouilly, Head of the Advanced Materials Academy.

We would also like to thank the members of the RQMP who actively worked to set up this project, namely Delphine Bouilly (UdeM), Andrea Bianchi (UdeM), Paul G. Charrette (UdeS), Ion Garate (UdeS), Audrey Laventure (UdeM), Ludvik Martinu (Polytechnique), Tami Pereg-Barnea (McGill), Yves-Alain Peter (Polytechnique), François Schiettekatte (UdeM), Lena Simine (McGill), Bradley Siwick (McGill), Thomas Szkopek (McGill) and Louis Taillefer (UdeS), as well as all the members who contributed to it.

We acknowledge the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).