University of Illinois and IBM Renew AI and Quantum Accelerator

The expanded Discovery Accelerator Institute will focus on AI, quantum computing, and quantum-centric supercomputing research and training.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:05am

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A visually striking 3D illustration of glowing, futuristic quantum computing hardware and data infrastructure, conveying the advanced technological capabilities that will drive the institute's research initiatives.The renewed Discovery Accelerator Institute will leverage advanced quantum and AI computing to power breakthroughs in materials, climate, and health research.Chicago Today

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and IBM have renewed and expanded their Discovery Accelerator Institute, a public-private partnership focused on advancing artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and quantum-centric supercomputing research and training. Over the next five years, the institute will scale research, strengthen industry ties, and provide hands-on experience for students and Illinois companies.

Why it matters

The renewed institute is seen as the next chapter of quantum-AI supercomputing research that will have benefits across Illinois and the world. It builds on existing campus computing power and regional quantum and microelectronics initiatives to accelerate materials, climate, and health discoveries that are difficult or impossible with classical computers.

The details

The refreshed institute will co-locate industry labs with campus research teams to speed up breakthroughs. It is organized around three technical thrusts: a Platform for AI, Quantum-Centric Supercomputing Software, Algorithms and Applications, and New Algorithms Discovery. Faculty have been invited to submit proposals, and selected teams will receive funding to begin projects in August 2026.

  • The Discovery Accelerator Institute was first announced in 2021 as a ten-year collaboration.
  • The recent RFP set a March 2, 2026 submission deadline, with selected teams notified on April 15, 2026.
  • Funded projects are expected to begin in August 2026.

The players

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

A public research university and one of the founding partners of the Discovery Accelerator Institute.

IBM

A multinational technology and consulting company that is the other founding partner of the Discovery Accelerator Institute.

J.B. Pritzker

The Governor of Illinois, who is billing the renewal as 'the next chapter of quantum-AI supercomputing research'.

National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA)

A campus computing resource that already boosts AI work and will provide additional HPC, GPU, and quantum capacity to researchers through the renewed institute.

Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE)

A regional initiative that is expanding testbeds, industry partnerships, and lab space to feed into campus collaborations like the Discovery Accelerator Institute.

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What they’re saying

“The renewed institute will expand research programs, strengthen industry partnerships and broaden hands-on training across Illinois over the coming five years, a plan university and state leaders describe as a workforce and economic priority.”

— CBS Chicago

What’s next

With award notices issued this spring and projects slated to begin later this summer, campus researchers and IBM teams are expected to move quickly from proposals to production-scale computing experiments as the program ramps up.

The takeaway

The renewal of the Discovery Accelerator Institute represents Illinois' continued commitment to positioning itself as a hub for cutting-edge quantum, AI, and supercomputing research and development. By strengthening industry partnerships and providing hands-on training for students and local companies, the institute aims to drive innovation and economic growth across the state.