Hartford Business Journal

10 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 10, 2026 UConn Provost Pamir Alpay helped lead Connecticut's successful bid for a National Science Foundation award that could bring up to $281 million in federal and state funding to the state's quantum technology initiative. Contributed Photo Next Frontier With up to $281M in public funding, CT bets big on quantum future said Michelle Ormsby, the organiza- tion's vice president of marketing. AdvanceCT now owns the domains and plans to make them a central part of QuantumCT's marketing strategy, which is still in its early stages, Ormsby said. "We do believe we can rightfully own that claim," she said. Rather than trying to compete by manufacturing quantum computers, Connecticut's strategy centers on becoming the place where compa- nies develop real-world applications for the technology. The state's proposal to the NSF focused on industries where Connecticut already has a competi- tive advantage, including aerospace and defense, pharmaceuticals, insur- ance and financial services. "It's a unique combination of three critical sectors — fintech and insur- ance, pharma and life sciences, and national security — concentrated here as immediate users," said Pamir Alpay, UConn's provost and the award's principal investigator. "That's what makes Connecticut special." According to the NSF award announcement, Connecticut compa- nies expected to adopt quantum tech- nologies already account for more than 270,000 jobs and 38% of wages paid statewide. They include some of Connecticut's largest employers, such as Strat- ford-based helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky, East Hartford jet-engine maker Pratt & Whitney, RTX's East Hartford research center, Groton submarine builder General Dynamics Electric Boat, insurer Travelers Cos., Stamford-based consumer financial services company Synchrony, and pharmaceutical companies Boeh- ringer Ingelheim and Pfizer. A statewide corridor Winning the quantum race will require more than research. State leaders say Connecticut must build the infrastructure needed to attract companies, train workers and help businesses begin using the technology. That's where the public funding comes into play. The NSF award By Andrew Larson alarson@hartfordbusiness.com C onnecticut built America's first practical helicopter and the world's first nuclear-powered submarine. Dan O'Keefe believes the state's next technological frontier is quantum computing. "If you zoom in on a quantum computer, what you're really looking at is the intersection of elec- trical engineering, mechanical engineering and material sciences," said O'Keefe, commis- sioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Devel- opment. "And that's actually where Connecticut has real advantage." The state now has federal backing for that ambition. On July 14, the National Science Foundation (NSF) named Connecticut one of 12 regions nationwide to win a Regional Innovation Engines award, selecting the state's quantum proposal from a field of 15 finalists. UConn led the application effort, with Yale as a partner and subrecipient. Between them, the schools count close to 90 faculty specializing in quantum research. The award could bring as much as $281 million in combined federal and state funding over the next decade to support Connecticut's effort to become a national hub for applied quantum technology. That includes up to $160 million from the NSF and $121 million pledged by the state. "This is one of the biggest compet- itive federal grants Connecticut has ever received," O'Keefe said. For state officials, university researchers and corporate partners, the goal extends far beyond winning a research grant. They see quantum technology as the next transfor- mational computing platform and believe Connecticut has a chance to carve out a leadership position by focusing on industries that will be among its earliest commercial users. "I compare this to Silicon Valley in the 1950s and 1960s," said O'Keefe, who before becoming DECD commis- sioner was a technology investor for 25 years. "That was the emergence of the semiconductor industry, and I think this is even more profound than what happened then." Competitive field So what is quantum computing? Quantum computing uses the unique properties of subatomic particles to process information in ways that conventional computers cannot. While it won't replace today's computers for most tasks, it has the potential to solve certain complex problems far more quickly than even the most powerful supercomputers. Although the technology is still in its early stages, researchers believe it could eventually transform industries including aerospace, pharmaceuticals, financial services and cybersecurity. The opportunity is significant. Consulting firm McKinsey & Co. proj- ects the global quantum technology industry could reach $198 billion by 2040. That potential has prompted states to compete to become quantum technology hubs. Massachusetts, Maryland, Illinois and Colorado have launched statewide initiatives, some anchored by major quantum hardware companies. Illinois, for example, has committed $500 million in state funding to develop the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park in Chicago, which aims to become one of the world's largest quantum computing campuses. Connecticut distinguished itself in this year's federal competi- tion, becoming the only state to secure an NSF Regional Innova- tion Engines award focused on quantum technology. The rivalry extends to branding. At the SelectUSA trade show in May, Connecticut officials noticed Illinois' booth proclaimed it the "Quantum Capital of the World." Before the show ended, AdvanceCT, Connecticut's nonprofit business recruitment arm, purchased the quantumcapitalofthe- world.com and .org domain names, BY THE NUMBERS: CT'S QUANTUM FUNDING Potential funding over 10 years: $281 million • National Science Foundation: Up to $160 million • State commitment: $121 million • Funding secured to date: $26 million ($15 million from the NSF and $11 million from the state) How the funding works The NSF has awarded Connecticut an initial $15 million for the initia- tive's first two years. About 18 months into the award, the NSF will review the initiative's progress. If it meets performance benchmarks, Connecticut could receive another $45 million through year five. A second review would determine whether the initiative qualifies for up to $20 million annually during the final five years, bringing total federal funding to as much as $160 million. The state has provided $11 million so far and has committed up to $121 million overall. If Connecticut receives less than the maximum federal award, the state's contribution would be reduced proportionally, according to DECD Commissioner Dan O'Keefe. Dan O'Keefe

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