Canada and Quebec are deepening their commitment to research, innovation and talent development with a combined investment of more than $200 million for Phase II of the Université de Montréal Science Complex.

Announced on June 15 in Montréal, the funding will allow the university to move ahead with the next stage of development at its MIL Campus, adding two new buildings beside the existing Science Complex. The project is supported through the Canada–Quebec agreement and the Build Communities Strong Fund, which backs major infrastructure and university construction initiatives.

Once completed, the expansion will bring together the natural sciences, data science and the Courtois Institute in one location. Previously spread across multiple sites, researchers and students working in these disciplines will now share purpose-built facilities designed to encourage collaboration and accelerate discovery.

The initiative represents a broader strategy to position Quebec and Canada as leaders in advanced materials research. By combining expertise in chemistry, physics and materials science with emerging capabilities in computing and artificial intelligence, the project aims to push the boundaries of understanding the fundamental and functional properties of matter.

The expanded complex is expected to accommodate nearly 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students, along with approximately 300 professors, researchers and staff members already connected to the growing scientific community at the MIL Campus.

“Supporting the development of the Université de Montréal infrastructure, particularly through the Build Communities Strong Fund, means making a direct contribution to our collective future. The construction of new facilities will provide the university with learning and research spaces that meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. This investment supports the education of the next generation, the advancement of new knowledge and the institution’s scientific leadership and influence,” said The Honourable Rachel Bendayan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Outremont.

Caroline Desrochers, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, highlighted the project’s role in strengthening Canada’s research ecosystem:

“I am proud of the completion of Phase II of the Université de Montréal Science Complex, a major project that strengthens our leadership in research and development. With state-of-the-art facilities dedicated to artificial intelligence, quantum sciences, robotics and high-performance computing, these new spaces will foster interdisciplinary collaboration and help advance science for the benefit of the community.”

For Quebec’s higher education sector, the project represents a long-term investment in talent and expertise.

“The creation of Phase II of the Science Complex is excellent news for the Universite de Montréal, its researchers, its student community and the entire Quebec higher education ecosystem. Developing expertise in critical scientific fields is essential to Quebec’s prosperity. I am proud of this major investment,” expressed Martine Biron, Minister of Higher Education and Minister responsible for the Status of Women.

Quebec’s contribution includes $111 million toward the project.

“Our government is investing $111 million in Phase II of the Université de Montréal’s Science Complex to support the construction of new buildings, which will house the Courtois Institute, among other facilities. This investment will enable the Université de Montréal to continue its development as a centre of excellence in research and innovation. I am delighted that this announcement is the first to result from our new agreement with the federal government on infrastructure for higher education,” stated Eric Girard, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for Infrastructure.

For Université de Montréal Rector Daniel Jutras, the project reflects the combined power of public investment and private philanthropy:

“This announcement illustrates everything that can be achieved when government and philanthropy work together in the service of the common good. We are strengthening the scientific hub of Quebec’s largest research university. We are providing our students and researchers with a world-class environment. Above all, we are investing in what remains our greatest collective asset: knowledge, talent and the capacity to innovate. I thank the Government of Quebec for its decisive support and its renewed confidence in our university.”

That philanthropic support includes the Courtois Foundation, whose president, Jacques Courtois, emphasized the importance of long-term scientific inquiry:

“Over the years, it has become clear to me that my commitment to the Université de Montréal would serve the advancement of fundamental research. For the simple reason that long-term science, without immediate tangible results, is not highly valued by society. Yet it is precisely this kind of research that, often after many trials and errors, helps change the world. I have no doubt that a major discovery will take place at the Courtois Institute and I am pleased to think that my act of philanthropy will have made a real difference.”

With new facilities dedicated to AI, computing and advanced materials research, Phase II of the Science Complex is set to reinforce Montréal’s position as one of Canada’s leading centres for scientific discovery and innovation.