Google earth image of the Midwest region, encompassing Wisconsin, Illinois, and the Great Lakes.

Quantum Economy

NSF Engine: Quantum Connected

A cross-sector coalition led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange is among 15 finalists for a US National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) award that could bring as much as $160 million to the Quantum Prairie over 10 years. If funded, the coalition, Quantum Connected, will build critically needed quantum-based cyber security. 

In doing so, Quantum Connected will grow the Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana region into one of the world’s foremost quantum innovation and economic zones.

The project builds upon cross-sector, CQE-led work that was part of the $1 million NSF Engines Development Award that was granted in 2024 to deepen partnerships and strengthen workforce and economic development plans for the Midwest's growing quantum ecosystem.

A program that unleashes ideas

Over the coming decade, the NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) program — led by the NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) — envisions supporting multiple flourishing regional innovation ecosystems across the US, spurring economic growth in regions that have not fully participated in the technology boom of the past few decades.

A project that will protect US economic and national security

If funded, Quantum Connected will build critically needed cyber security by leveraging cutting-edge quantum technologies to do what classical technologies can not.

A region that is ready

The Illinois-Wisconsin-Indiana region is uniquely suited to drive the essential development of quantum-enabled security. It is already a key driver of US leadership in quantum technologies and is home to leading universities and national labs; more than two dozen quantum startups; a growing roster of critical facilities; one of the nation's longest quantum networks; and deeply collaborative institutions that have invested years in building the relationships needed to deliver results.

Text "QUANTUM CONNECTED" over an Earth-from-space background overlooking the Great Lakes.

CQE-led coalition advances to final round in NSF Engine competition

The cross-sector Quantum Connected team is working to secure the nation’s information using cutting-edge quantum technologies. An NSF win could bring up to $160 million to the Quantum Prairie over 10 years and boost national and economic security at a critical time.

 “Quantum technology is our best long-term bet for securing our nation’s information, which faces escalating threats that classical technology is not equipped to address,” said David Awschalom, the University of Chicago’s Liew Family professor of molecular engineering, the director of the CQE, and Quantum Connected principal investigator. “Our region has all of the key elements — leading scientists and engineers, quantum startups, physical facilities — to deliver quantum-based security. The key gap is NSF funding support. An NSF Engine award would be an economic boost for the Illinois-Wisconsin-Indiana region. More crucially, though, it would be a critical win for US economic and national security — one we cannot do without.”

Advancing quantum technologies in the Midwest

Two key areas of focus

Join Us

Regional and CQE community organizations are invited to join monthly meetings on the first Friday of each month.

If interested in getting involved or joining a meeting, please email quantum@uchicago.edu.

For more information on getting involved, please send us an email.