A public-private research initiative that aims to put Connecticut at the forefront of quantum technology is now a finalist for a major federal grant.
QuantumCT, a collaboration between the University of Connecticut and Yale University, was named Thursday as a finalist for a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant through the agency’s Regional Innovation Engines program.
The initiative’s proposal, “NSF Engine: Advancing Quantum Technologies (QuantumCT),” is among 15 projects selected nationwide. Winners will receive up to $15 million in initial funding over two years, and could qualify for as much as $160 million over a decade, NSF officials said.
NSF previously awarded QuantumCT a $1 million development grant, which helped launch projects now underway at UConn, Yale and partner institutions across the state.
“This recognition affirms the promise of QuantumCT to accelerate breakthroughs that will shape our state, region, and country’s scientific and economic future,” Yale President Maurie McInnis said. “An award of this scale would strengthen Connecticut’s leadership as a hub for discovery and knowledge exchange.”
Quantum technologies harness principles of quantum mechanics to process information in fundamentally new ways and have the potential to transform industries ranging from computing and communications to aerospace and health care. They could improve products and services used every day, such as navigation systems, smartphones and cybersecurity tools.
Pamir Alpay, UConn’s vice president for research and the proposal’s lead investigator, said being a finalist highlights the state’s growing reputation in the field.
“We are already seeing great collaboration among UConn, Yale and our vast network of partners,” he said.
That partnership includes state officials, major cities, the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, private colleges, and the Connecticut Business and Industry Association. Innovation organizations such as Connecticut Innovations are working to speed the transfer of new technologies into commercial use.
The NSF is expected to announce the winning proposals early next year.
