In a partnership between state leaders and leaders from both the University of Connecticut and Yale University, Connecticut has announced it is committing up to $121 million to develop quantum technology. The project could not only advance quantum technology research and development but also transform the state’s economy, according to state officials.
The new initiatives to support quantum technology will be overseen by the nonprofit QuantumCT. This group is the result of a UConn-Yale partnership and was launched in response to the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines (RIE) program.
The project includes constructing an incubator described as a “first-of-its-kind facility.” The building will be constructed to combine co-working lab space with engineering and materials characterization capabilities, quantum testbeds, and onsite technical expertise, according to state officials.
This planned incubator will function in conjunction with separately funded quantum infrastructure investments. These facilities include the Science 1 building on UConn’s main campus and more than 600,000 gross square feet to be developed across several buildings on Yale’s Upper Hill Science Development.
The funding focused on quantum technology will be separated for specific goals. $50 million will be used to expand the state’s quantum infrastructure. $10 million will be allocated for QuantumCT as part of Connecticut’s Innovation Clusters initiative. An additional up to $60 million of state funding could be provided as an allotment to support potential federal funding. The federal funding could come from a QuantumCT proposal that is a finalist for grant funding through the RIE program.
If chosen as a recipient, the endorsement would unlock the additional $60 million in state funds. Winning proposals for the grant are expected to be announced in the first quarter of 2026. Further funding could come from the city of New Haven, which has qualified for about $40 million in other Innovation Clusters funds to support life sciences and quantum projects.
Photo by ajay_suresh, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, from Wikimedia Commons
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