Southern Connecticut State University (Southern) will serve as a central leader in shaping Connecticut’s future quantum workforce through QuantumCT, a statewide initiative selected to receive a two-year, $15 million award through the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines program.
QuantumCT was one of only 12 innovation engines selected nationwide to accelerate critical technologies and strengthen U.S. competitiveness.
The award positions QuantumCT for potential future investment of up to $160 million over the next decade and reinforces Connecticut’s growing leadership in quantum science, technology, workforce development, and commercialization. The State has also pledged $121 million to support the initiative, including the development of a quantum incubator in New Haven and other ecosystem investments.
The NSF Quantum Technologies Engine in Connecticut (QuantumCT Engine), led by the University of Connecticut in partnership with Yale University, Southern Connecticut State University, ConnCORP, CT Innovations, and the State of Connecticut, aims to advance American quantum innovation and secure the domestic quantum supply chain by accelerating the commercialization of quantum technologies for national defense, biotechnology, and financial services. Through innovation, applied research leading to new technologies, support for inventors and entrepreneurs, and workforce development, the QuantumCT Engine will advance quantum sensing, secured communications, computing, and materials through shared testbed, deep-tech incubator and translation pathways.
The initial two-year award will support technology translation, workforce development, incubator operations, and industry and community engagement to accelerate commercialization while delivering broad societal benefits.
As a key partner, Southern will receive $2 million during the initial two-year phase of the award, including support for statewide workforce development activities through the CSCU Center for Quantum and Nanotechnology (QNT).
Through longstanding collaborations with Yale, UConn, Connecticut State Community College, industry, and community partners, the QNT serves as a statewide connector for quantum education, workforce development, and applied research across Connecticut’s innovation ecosystem.
“Southern is more than ready to take the lead on workforce development in Connecticut’s quantum ecosystem,” said Dr. Sandra Bulmer, interim president of Southern. “We are proud to be part of Connecticut’s ‘research triangle,’ alongside Yale and UConn, providing foundational support for the talent pipeline. Our mission is grounded in access and opportunity, and the workforce component of this effort enables us to open new frontiers in research and innovation to countless students across Connecticut.”
As Connecticut’s first and only Carnegie-designated Research 2 (R2) university—and one of just 139 nationwide—Southern is uniquely positioned to connect research, workforce development, innovation, and industry engagement. This is particularly significant for prospective students interested in research-driven careers. Yale University and the University of Connecticut are the only institutions in the state to receive a higher ranking, both Research 1 (R1).
“Southern Connecticut State University has been our valued and critical partner to meet QuantumCT’s goal of a highly skilled workforce in quantum technologies,” said UConn Provost Pamir Alpay, project leader for the QuantumCT Engine. “They have been tireless in their efforts to cultivate quantum-literate communities that meet industry workforce needs, while also strengthening K-college curricula, partnerships, teacher support, and training.”
Through initiatives led by the QNT, the Southern Innovation Hub, the Peter J. Werth Industry Academic Fellowship, and the nationally recognized BioPath workforce model, the university has created scalable pathways connecting students, faculty, employers, entrepreneurs, and researchers to Connecticut’s innovation economy.
Located in the heart of New Haven’s innovation ecosystem – including hubs such as 101 College Street, BioLabs New Haven, QuantumCT’s planned incubator, and Yale’s growing network of research and startup enterprises – Southern has connected hundreds of students with paid use-inspired research experiences, internships, and careers in high-demand STEM fields.
“This NSF Engines award underscores that workforce development is essential to sustained quantum leadership,” said Dr. Christine Broadbridge, co-PI on the NSF Engines proposal, physics professor and Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Southern. “We are proud to partner with QuantumCT on their use-inspired research and workforce strategy—building hands-on, industry-aligned pathways that prepare a diverse and job-ready talent pool to meet Connecticut’s growing quantum economy.”
“With campuses and satellite locations across Connecticut, CT State is the state’s largest workforce driver, serving the most diverse student population and offering more entry and exit points than any other higher education institution in the state,” said CT State Community College Interim President Dr. Christina Royal. “That reach is what makes us uniquely positioned to turn this NSF Engines investment into real, on-the-ground impact. We will be at the forefront of preparing the next generation of quantum talent by connecting students from every corner of our state to opportunity and helping power innovation across Connecticut’s economy.”
The $2 million investment will support the implementation of the Quantum Academic and Career Pathway Initiative, known as QuantumPath, QuantumCT’s comprehensive workforce development strategy. Designed to serve learners from elementary school through professional careers, QuantumPath will build a statewide talent pipeline by expanding access to quantum education, strengthening industry partnerships, and creating pathways into quantum and quantum-adjacent fields.
To accomplish this goal, QuantumCT will leverage Southern’s successful BioPath model, housed within the university’s Innovation Hub. For more than a decade, BioPath has advanced awareness of STEM careers, expanded access to skill-building programs, internships and experiential learning opportunities, and connected students with employers throughout Connecticut’s biotechnology and life sciences sectors. Building on that proven framework, QuantumPath will help expand access to quantum education, use-inspired research, experiential learning opportunities, workforce training programs, and employer partnerships across Connecticut.
Quantum technologies are expected to transform industries ranging from aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing to healthcare, pharmaceuticals, finance, and cybersecurity. Industry analysts project the global quantum technology market could exceed $200 billion by 2040.
Connecticut is already recognized as a national leader in quantum technology adoption. Companies across aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, finance, insurance, and pharmaceuticals are actively exploring quantum applications, creating demand for a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting this rapidly evolving sector.
For Southern, the award represents an opportunity to leverage its strengths in research, workforce development, and industry engagement to help ensure Connecticut workers have the education and skills needed to support the state’s growing quantum economy for decades to come.
“As the largest public higher education system in New England, CSCU’s colleges and universities are where Connecticut’s workforce is trained and takes shape,” said CSCU Interim Chancellor Natalie Braswell. “Southern Connecticut State University and Connecticut State Community College will be key partners in advancing the NSF Engines Proposal, helping position our state as a national leader in quantum technology and workforce development. This investment is about more than building a quantum-ready workforce, it’s about expanding access and creating inclusive pathways so more students can connect to opportunity and the jobs of the future.”
Together with UConn, Yale, CT State Community College, industry leaders, and state partners, Southern will help ensure that Connecticut not only develops breakthrough quantum technologies but also builds the workforce needed to sustain them. The NSF Engines award positions Connecticut to become a national model for connecting research, education, innovation, and economic growth through quantum technology.
Read UConn’s announcement of this transformative award on UConn Today.
