FAU Receives $3 Million Award for Quantum Workforce Development

Building a Quantum‑Ready Workforce at FAU

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has been awarded a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Strengthening Institutions Program. Over the next five years, the university will create a comprehensive education pathway that moves students from early‑college exposure to graduate‑level expertise in quantum sensing and communications.

A Structured Curriculum from the Ground Up

The initiative, titled Building Florida’s Quantum‑Ready Workforce, will develop new coursework, hands‑on labs, and research projects. Early‑college students will receive foundational quantum theory, while upper‑level undergraduates and graduate students will engage directly with cutting‑edge hardware, including Rydberg‑atom radio‑frequency sensing equipment and an optical atomic clock supplied by Infleqtion.

Hands‑On Training with Real Quantum Hardware

FAU will become the first university in the nation to host Infleqtion’s Rydberg‑atom RF sensing platform and Tiqker optical atomic clock. These tools will support laboratory courses and research projects, giving students practical experience in quantum‑enabled sensing and communications. The university also plans to host a D‑Wave Advantage2™ quantum annealer, further expanding on‑campus quantum resources.

Expected Impact and Reach

The program aims to serve more than 100 students throughout the grant period, preparing them for careers in emerging quantum industries. Faculty from the Center for Connected Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (CA‑AI) will lead curriculum development and mentorship, ensuring that graduates possess both theoretical knowledge and engineering skills demanded by the quantum economy.

Broader Significance for Florida

By linking federal funding, industry partnership, and academic expertise, FAU’s effort positions Florida as a hub for quantum talent development. The grant not only strengthens the state’s educational infrastructure but also creates a pipeline of skilled workers ready to support quantum‑related startups, research labs, and established technology firms.

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FAU’s $3 million award underscores the growing recognition that a quantum‑ready workforce is as critical as the hardware itself. As more institutions adopt similar models, the collective impact could accelerate the commercialization of quantum sensing, communications, and computing technologies across the United States.