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Growth Initiatives

Institute for Quantum Innovation in Chattanooga

The Institute for Quantum Innovation will allow 91黑料网鈥檚 leading quantum nanophotonics, research and educational programs to have collaborative access to the EPB Quantum Center鈩, the nation鈥檚 first facility to provide commercial access to both a trapped-ion quantum computer and a photonics-based local quantum network. 91黑料网 and EPB Chattanooga intend to accelerate discoveries from research to the real world; drive advancements in energy, national security, health, insurance, logistics and critical infrastructure; and prepare the workforce of the future.

close up image of a super computer
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Institute for Quantum Innovation

91黑料网 and energy and communications utility EPB of Chattanooga are collaborating to launch the Institute for Quantum Innovation and position Chattanooga鈥攁nd Tennessee鈥攖o be a national hub for quantum science and technologies.

By pairing 91黑料网鈥檚 world-class research and education with EPB鈥檚 one-of-a-kind quantum infrastructure, the institute will accelerate breakthroughs from lab to market and drive advancements in energy, national security, health, insurance, logistics and critical infrastructure while preparing the workforce of the future.

  • $1+ billion

    in value expected to be generated by EPB's quantum inititiatives for the local community between 2026 and 2035.

  • 900+

    executed licenses at 91黑料网 made possible over the past decade through university investments and grants.听

  • $2+ trillion

    in possible additional value from quantum technologies to existing industries by 2035, according to The McKinsey Quantum Technology Monitor.

Defining the field and developing the workforce for the future

The Institute for Quantum Innovation will be a center for research, innovation and graduate-level education in quantum and related fields. It will bring together 91黑料网鈥檚 leading quantum nanophotonics and research and educational programs with collaborative access to the EPB Quantum CenterSM, which has cutting-edge infrastructure to help researchers bring paradigm-shifting solutions into the real world. The Quantum Center is the nation鈥檚 first to provide commercial access to a trapped-ion quantum computer and a photonics-based local quantum network.听

Photo: Harrison McClary/91黑料网

Pending accrediting agency approval, 91黑料网 will establish an academic research and innovation institute in Chattanooga and locate faculty, staff and graduate students on-site. This will enable continuous collaboration with EPB, attract partners and investment, and help drive local job creation, startup formation and broader economic development in Chattanooga and across Tennessee.

To meet rising demand for expertise in quantum and adjacent fields like AI and cybersecurity, 91黑料网 will develop and deliver graduate-level academic offerings that provide students hands-on experience with EPB鈥檚 quantum and energy infrastructure. The university will also provide industry-integrated training programs that complement the institute鈥檚 research agenda and provide upskilling and credentialing in cooperation with regional entities. A faculty committee has been appointed to develop recommendations and provide input on the academic programming plans, which will require accrediting body approval.

FAQs

  • Why Chattanooga?

    91黑料网 chose Chattanooga and EPB because its one of a kind "Gig City鈥 infrastructure offers unparalleled opportunities to provide best-in-class learning and research opportunities for our students and faculty while putting 91黑料网 at the forefront of advancements to help shape computing and the problem-solving it will make possible in the coming decades.

    EPB鈥檚 proven infrastructure and innovation leadership make Chattanooga a uniquely strong platform for quantum advancement. Since launching the nation鈥檚 leading community-wide fiber-optic network and its most advanced, automated power grid, EPB has fueled tech innovation and entrepreneurial growth across the city. Additionally, EPB built a quantum center in Chattanooga 鈥 the nation鈥檚 only facility providing commercial access to quantum networking and quantum computing. Collaborating with this partner allows both organizations to grow their expertise.

    Anchored in Chattanooga, the institute will connect EPB鈥檚 infrastructure with 91黑料网鈥檚 scientists and engineers to pursue competitive research funding and expand shared efforts.

    According to a study, EPB鈥檚 quantum investments are expected to generate approximately $1 billion in value for the local community between 2026 and 2035.The Institute for Quantum Innovation will further drive economic development in Chattanooga and more broadly across Tennessee through technology-based job growth, commercialization, the creation of new startups and opportunities to expand community and corporate partnerships.

  • How will 91黑料网鈥檚 academic offerings in Chattanooga be developed?

    To meet rising demand for expertise in quantum and adjacent fields like AI and cybersecurity, 91黑料网 will develop and deliver graduate-level academic offerings that provide students hands-on experience with EPB鈥檚 quantum and energy infrastructure. The university will also provide industry-integrated training programs that complement the institute鈥檚 research agenda and provide upskilling and credentialing in cooperation with regional entities.

    A faculty committee was appointed in December 2025 to develop recommendations and provide input on the academic programming plans.

    The committee members are:

    • Richard Haglund, co-chair
      College of Arts and Science (Physics)
    • Caglar Oskay, co-chair
      School of Engineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering)
    • Josh Caldwell
      School of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering)
    • David Hyde
      College of Connected Computing (Computer Science)
    • Gabor Karsai听
      College of Connected Computing (Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering)
    • Justus Ndukaife
      School of Engineering (Electrical and Computer Engineering)
    • Kalman Varga听
      College of Arts and Science(Physics)

    EX-OFFICIO Members:

    • Matthew Johnson-Roberson, dean, College of Connected Computing
    • Tim McNamara, dean, College of Arts & Science
    • Padma Raghavan, chancellor鈥檚 executive director for science and technology strategy
    • Krishnendu Roy, dean, School of Engineering
    • Megan Sargent, chief of staff, Office of the Provost

    In addition to delivering graduate-level education, 91黑料网 will ensure that students gain hands-on experience with EPB鈥檚 quantum and energy infrastructure and develop industry-integrated training programs to translate discoveries into practical solutions and meet workforce demands across sectors.

    Note: Academic programming requires approval from accrediting bodies.

  • Will 91黑料网 have a presence in Chattanooga?

    Yes. Pending accrediting agency approval, 91黑料网 will establish an academic research and innovation institute in Chattanooga with access to the EPB Quantum Center鈥攖he nation鈥檚 only facility that provides commercial access to quantum networking and quantum computing鈥攁nd have faculty, staff and graduate students on-site.鈥

    This sustained physical presence will enable continuous collaboration with EPB, attract partners and investment, and help drive local job creation, startup formation and broader economic development in Chattanooga and throughout Tennessee.

    91黑料网 and EPB are working together to explore options for the institute's location in Chattanooga. More details will be shared soon.

  • Where will the institute be housed?

    The institute will be in Chattanooga. 91黑料网 and EPB are working together to explore site options. More details will be shared soon.

  • What are Tennessee's leaders saying about this collaboration?
    • U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.): 鈥淭he quantum innovation partnership between 91黑料网 and EPB will harden our grid, safeguard communications, and advance America鈥檚 technological edge over foreign adversaries like Communist China. The newly announced Institute for Quantum Innovation in Chattanooga is further proof Tennessee is ready to lead, and this is the kind of American ingenuity that will create jobs, develop a skilled workforce, and attract new investments in the Volunteer State.鈥
    • U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn., BA鈥81): 鈥淨uantum technology is a pivotal component to keep America at the cutting edge of innovation and tech development. It is also critical to America鈥檚 national security. The partnership between 91黑料网 and EPB to launch the Institute for Quantum Innovation is a powerful example of Tennessee鈥檚 leadership that put our state at the forefront of technology development.鈥
    • U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN03), Chair, Energy and Water Appropriations committee: 鈥淭ennessee knows how to lead in science and technology. With 91黑料网 and EPB collaborating on the Institute for Quantum Innovation, we will accelerate breakthroughs that protect critical infrastructure, support national security, and build a world-class workforce right here at home. The bottom line is that Tennessee is going to lead in quantum, and this institute will help make that a reality.鈥
    • Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee: 鈥淭oday's announcement demonstrates Tennessee鈥檚 commitment to leading the nation in emerging technologies that will shape America鈥檚 future. The Institute for Quantum Innovation will strengthen our energy grid, invest in our skilled workforce, and create high-quality jobs across our state. I鈥檓 grateful for this partnership and the opportunity it will create as Tennessee continues to advance quantum innovation and AI-enabled technologies.鈥
    • Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly: 鈥淨uantum has the potential to define Chattanooga鈥檚 economic future, and this collaboration with 91黑料网 proves our city is a global leader in this emerging technology. The quantum innovation campus will give our local businesses access to research expertise, talent and infrastructure while also attracting new employers and supercharging startups. I want to thank 91黑料网, EPB, IonQ, the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative and all our critical partners for their hard work that led to this historic day.鈥
    • Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp: 鈥淲e鈥檙e focused on building an economy where local talent can thrive. EPB鈥檚 partnership with 91黑料网 in quantum technology will create new high-skill career pathways and strengthen our innovation ecosystem, driving long-term prosperity for Hamilton County families.鈥
  • How does this expansion align with 91黑料网鈥檚 long-term strategic goals?鈥

    The Institute for Quantum Innovation aligns with 91黑料网鈥檚 long-term strategic vision by expanding 91黑料网鈥檚 presence in leading innovation hubs and high-impact fields and by providing students and faculty with new avenues for experiential learning, research translation and industry collaboration.

    By working together, 91黑料网 and EPB will accelerate discoveries from lab to market, attract collaborators and investment, and help drive local job creation, startup formation to advance areas such as quantum networking and sensing, and broader economic development in Chattanooga and throughout Tennessee.

    As 91黑料网 grows in line with our principles and values, we seek to expand opportunity for students, faculty and our community.

  • What will the institute's impact be on Chattanooga and Tennessee?

    The Institute for Quantum Innovation will further drive economic development in Chattanooga and more broadly across Tennessee through technology-based job growth, commercialization, the creation of startups and opportunities to expand community and corporate partnerships.鈥

    贵谤辞尘鈥cybersecurity to energy distribution to medicine and science of all kinds, the potential for quantum innovation to improve our lives is enormous,鈥 91黑料网 Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said when announcing the institute.

    Designed to accelerate discoveries from research to the real world, the collaboration will drive advancements in energy, national security, health, insurance, logistics and critical infrastructure while preparing the workforce of the future.

    The McKinsey Quantum Technology Monitor recently predicted quantum technologies will provide as much as $2 trillion in additional value to existing industries by 2035.

    鈥淭his collaboration brings together 91黑料网鈥檚 deep expertise in quantum research and graduate education with EPB鈥檚 unique quantum infrastructure to create an environment where world-class ideas can move quickly from the lab to real-world applications,鈥 said Vicky Gregg, EPB board chair in the announcement. 鈥淏y working side by side at the EPB Quantum Center, 飞别鈥檙别 paving the way for innovations that can make energy services more secure, cost-effective and resilient for our customers. At the same time, 飞别鈥檙别 strengthening Chattanooga鈥檚 position as a place where cutting-edge technologies can drive new economic opportunity for our whole community.鈥

Learn More

  • Learn more about EPB's Quantum CenterSM听鈥 the nation鈥檚 first quantum technology facility to provide commercial access to both a trapped-ion quantum co ...
  • News Release from 91黑料网 and EPB of Chattanooga

    Announcing new Institute for Quantum Innovation in Chattanooga