Connecticut’s efforts to spur economic development around the quantum computing sector got a boost with the National Science Foundation announcing a state-supported initiative won a federal award worth tens of millions of dollars over the next decade.

QuantumCT Initiative

The NSF Quantum Technologies Engine, a collaboration led by the University of Connecticut and Yale University, was announced as one of 12 winners of the latest round of NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines competition. The award recognizes the team’s success in establishing partnerships with industry to accelerate quantum technologies and build a quantum-ready workforce.

As a competition winner, QuantumCT will receive an initial two-year $15 million award to support technology translation, workforce development, and the creation of a quantum incubator and testbed located in New Haven. If the initial phase is successful, the project will be eligible for additional funding, up to $160 million over a 10-year period.

Economic Impact

According to analysts, quantum computing could grow into a $200 billion industry by 2040. Connecticut’s QuantumCT leaders hope their efforts will create a powerful economic engine in the region, supporting more than 270,000 jobs and accounting for 38% of wages in the state.

The federal government is making significant investments into quantum computing and technology, with the goal of turning the science into full-scale commercial products. The NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines competition is one of several initiatives aimed at spurring development at the local level.

Original reporting: The Connecticut Mirror — read the source article.