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McGill Partners with Concordia, École Polytechnique, and Aéro

McGill Partners with Concordia, École Polytechnique, and Aéro Montréal to Launch Aerospace Innovation Centre
Government and Industry Backing for New Research Hub
The Quebec Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy has committed $2 million to develop a technical plan for the Centre de collaboration et d’innovation en aérospatiale et mobilité (CCIAM), a new flagship research and innovation centre dedicated to aerospace and mobility. This initiative is led by the Aéro Montréal cluster within the Espace Aéro innovation zone, a provincial government project established in 2024. In addition to government funding, the aerospace giant Boeing has pledged $3 million to support the development of the centre.
Academic Collaboration and Research Focus
McGill University, in collaboration with Concordia University and Polytechnique Montréal, will be responsible for establishing the academic governance framework for CCIAM. The centre, slated to open in 2028, is designed to facilitate large-scale partnerships in aeronautics research, with a particular emphasis on sustainable fuel technologies, decarbonization strategies, advanced materials, and the development of autonomous flying vehicles. A cutting-edge indoor testing facility will be integral to supporting research and development activities in these domains.
Dominique Bérubé, Vice-President of Research and Innovation at McGill, highlighted the significance of the aerospace sector to Quebec’s economy and innovation landscape. He emphasized that the collaboration aims to advance the government’s vision of positioning Quebec as a leader in sustainable, next-generation aerospace engineering through pioneering research and innovation.
Quebec’s Aerospace Industry and McGill’s Role
Quebec’s aerospace sector is a major economic force, employing over 36,000 individuals and generating $15 billion in annual exports. McGill University has a rich heritage in aerospace research, dating back to the establishment of its Institute of Air and Space Law in 1951. The university hosts several specialized institutes and laboratories, including the McGill Institute for Aerospace Engineering. Recently, McGill formalized a strategic partnership with Airbus and remains one of the few Canadian institutions offering a master’s program in aerospace. The university is also an active member of Aéro Montréal, the Comité sectoriel de main-d’oeuvre en aérospatiale, and the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Quebec.
Challenges and Opportunities in Collaborative Innovation
While the partnership between McGill, Concordia, Polytechnique, and Aéro Montréal is expected to enhance Quebec’s leadership in aerospace innovation, it also presents challenges. Coordinating diverse academic and research expertise, aligning institutional objectives, and managing competition for resources and funding will require careful oversight. This collaboration is anticipated to stimulate increased interest in joint research initiatives and innovation opportunities across the aerospace sector. It may also prompt competitors to form similar alliances or intensify their own research and development efforts to maintain a competitive advantage.
Benoit Boulet, Associate Vice-President of Innovation and Partnerships at McGill and a member of the CCIAM advisory committee, underscored McGill’s longstanding commitment to aerospace research. He noted that the new centre will not only elevate Quebec’s status in aviation research but also enhance the training and development of talent essential to the sector’s future.

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