A coalition led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) has emerged as a finalist in the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) prestigious Regional Innovation Engines program, marking a significant milestone in the drive to harness quantum technology for national cybersecurity. This consortium, known as Quantum Connected, aims to deploy quantum-based solutions to safeguard some of the nation’s most sensitive information against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. The NSF Engines program fosters regional collaborations to accelerate breakthrough research and technology development, and Quantum Connected’s advancement to the final round highlights the Midwest region’s growing prominence in quantum innovation.
Quantum Connected represents an extensive partnership among academic institutions, industry leaders, government entities, and nonprofit organizations, unified in their mission to build a quantum-secure cyber infrastructure. If awarded funding, potentially up to $160 million over a decade, the coalition plans to establish state-of-the-art quantum cybersecurity technologies reflecting the urgency for next-generation solutions that transcend the limitations of classical cryptography. This initiative addresses a critical national priority as advancements in quantum computing pose both risks and opportunities for information protection across all sectors.
David Awschalom, the Liew Family Professor of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago and CQE director, emphasizes that quantum technology is the cornerstone for future defense mechanisms in information security. He points out that traditional cybersecurity tools falter against threats empowered by quantum algorithms, necessitating a paradigmatic shift to quantum-resilient protocols. The region’s unique ecosystem combines cutting-edge research institutions, quantum startups, and physical infrastructure, creating fertile ground for innovation. However, securing NSF Engines funding is pivotal to translate these capabilities into tangible economic and security advantages on a national scale.
The CQE’s Midwest region, often referred to as the Quantum Prairie, spans Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, and has developed into a vibrant quantum technology hub. Home to renowned universities and national laboratories, it hosts over twenty quantum-focused startups actively advancing quantum hardware, software, and algorithm development. Among its assets are commercialization centers such as Purdue University Northwest’s Roberts Impact Lab and Hyde Park Labs, which provide shared quantum equipment and collaborative spaces designed to accelerate technology transfer from research to application.
Integral to the region’s quantum ecosystem is the Chicago Quantum Network, a formidable infrastructure enabling researchers and industry participants to access quantum devices and conduct experiments at scale. Supporting this network is the National Quantum Algorithm Center, tasked with pioneering algorithmic breakthroughs essential for practical quantum advantage. Furthermore, the upcoming Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park will house the DARPA-Illinois Quantum Proving Ground, offering specialized cryogenic facilities and testbeds to validate emerging quantum hardware under realistic operational conditions.
The Chicago Quantum Summit, hosted by the CQE, is an annual congregation of leaders bridging science, government policy, and industry innovation. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, the summit strengthens the regional and national quantum community, aligning efforts toward shared goals. Scheduled for November 3 and 4, this event attracts top talent and decision-makers, signaling the Midwest’s ongoing commitment to quantum leadership.
The NSF Engines initiative itself is a transformative endeavor, designed to scale regional innovation ecosystems through broad coalitions that integrate diverse sectors. It targets emerging technologies with the potential to confer competitive economic and strategic advantages to the United States. Quantum technology exemplifies this goal, with its capacity to revolutionize communication security, optimization problems, and computational science. The NSF Engines’ support enables the maturation of nascent technologies into commercially viable and nationally impactful solutions.
Quantum Connected’s progress benefits from a foundation laid by a prior NSF Development Award received in 2024, which enabled deeper partnership cultivation and workforce development strategies across the tri-state region. Building on this momentum, the coalition is poised to accelerate the translation of quantum research into security solutions that can resist future quantum-enabled cyber intrusions, addressing one of the most pressing challenges in digital defense.
In parallel with NSF support, CQE also leads the US Economic Development Administration-designated Bloch Quantum Tech Hub. This initiative accelerates quantum technology development with a strong emphasis on strengthening the US economic and national security landscape. The Bloch Tech Hub notably facilitated the entry of Bluefors, a global leader in cryogenic measurement systems critical to quantum hardware, into the US market by establishing the first Bluefors Lab services domestically, enhancing local quantum infrastructure capabilities.
The potential impact of the Quantum Connected coalition is substantial, given the rapidly evolving landscape of cyber threats. Traditional cryptographic systems, underpinning global digital communications, are vulnerable to quantum attacks capable of rendering current encryption obsolete. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), post-quantum cryptography, and other quantum-safe protocols under development within this coalition promise to establish new standards for secure information transfer, ensuring the resilience of critical national infrastructure.
Looking forward, the NSF Engines program anticipates announcing awardees by early 2026. Should Quantum Connected secure funding, the Midwest region will receive not only financial resources but also a strategic platform to spearhead innovations that maintain US competitiveness. This vision aligns with national imperatives to lead in emerging technology domains vital to economic growth and security. The coalition’s efforts exemplify how synergistic academia-industry-government collaborations can address complex technological challenges and create economic opportunities.
Ultimately, the progress of Quantum Connected underscores the imperative for sustained investment and coordinated regional innovation ecosystems in the quantum domain. As quantum technologies mature from laboratory curiosities to deployable solutions, initiatives like this will define the trajectory of national cybersecurity capabilities. With cybersecurity threats evolving rapidly, quantum advantage may represent the critical breakthrough needed to secure data integrity, privacy, and trust in digital systems worldwide, affirming the Midwest as a pivotal player in the quantum revolution.
Subject of Research: Quantum technology for cybersecurity and regional innovation ecosystems.
Article Title: Midwest Quantum Coalition Advances to NSF Engines Final Round to Secure National Cybersecurity.
News Publication Date: June 2024.
Web References:
– https://www.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/regional-innovation-engines
– https://chicagoquantum.org/NSFEngine
– https://chicagoquantum.org/midwest-quantum-region
– https://chicagoquantum.org/quantum-economy/quantum-companies-region
– https://whova.com/portal/registration/2qOszmV50Ty8Uh0lAWyH/3hfauzr9
– https://chicagoquantum.org/resources/whatisquantum
– https://chicagoquantum.org/news/chicago-region-designated-us-tech-hub-quantum-technologies-biden-harris-administration
– https://quantumcomputingreport.com/bluefors-opens-cryogenic-lab-facility-in-chicago-to-support-quantum-technology-development/
Image Credits: Chicago Quantum Exchange
Keywords
Scientific community; Quantum information; Applied sciences and engineering; Science careers; Research programs; Geographic regions; North America; Applied physics
