Institute for Quantum Innovation in Chattanooga

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

EPB’s proven infrastructure and innovation leadership make Chattanooga a uniquely strong platform for quantum advancement. Since launching the nation’s 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 — the nation’s 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’s infrastructure with Vanderbilt’s scientists and engineers to pursue competitive research funding and expand shared efforts. 

According to a peer-reviewed study, EPB’s 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.  
 

To meet rising demand for expertise in quantum and adjacent fields like AI and cybersecurity, Vanderbilt will develop and deliver graduate-level academic offerings that provide students hands-on experience with EPB’s quantum and energy infrastructure. The university will also provide industry-integrated training programs that complement the institute’s 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 
  College of Connected Computing (Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering)
• Justus Ndukaife
  School of Engineering (Electrical and Computer Engineering)
• Kalman Varga 
  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’s 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, Vanderbilt will ensure that students gain hands-on experience with EPB’s 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. 
 

Yes. Pending accrediting agency approval, Vanderbilt will establish an academic research and innovation institute in Chattanooga with access to the EPB Quantum Center—the nation’s only facility that provides commercial access to quantum networking and quantum computing—and have faculty, staff and graduate students on-site.   

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.     

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

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

• U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.): “The quantum innovation partnership between Vanderbilt and EPB will harden our grid, safeguard communications, and advance America’s 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.” 

• U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn., BA’81): “Quantum technology is a pivotal component to keep America at the cutting edge of innovation and tech development. It is also critical to America’s national security. The partnership between Vanderbilt and EPB to launch the Institute for Quantum Innovation is a powerful example of Tennessee’s leadership that put our state at the forefront of technology development.” 

• U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN03), Chair, Energy and Water Appropriations committee: “Tennessee knows how to lead in science and technology. With Vanderbilt 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.” 

• Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee: “Today's announcement demonstrates Tennessee’s commitment to leading the nation in emerging technologies that will shape America’s 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’m grateful for this partnership and the opportunity it will create as Tennessee continues to advance quantum innovation and AI-enabled technologies.” 

• Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly: “Quantum has the potential to define Chattanooga’s economic future, and this collaboration with Vanderbilt University 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 Vanderbilt, EPB, IonQ, the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative and all our critical partners for their hard work that led to this historic day.” 

• Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp: “We’re focused on building an economy where local talent can thrive. EPB’s partnership with Vanderbilt in quantum technology will create new high-skill career pathways and strengthen our innovation ecosystem, driving long-term prosperity for Hamilton County families.” 

The Institute for Quantum Innovation aligns with Vanderbilt’s long-term strategic vision by expanding Vanderbilt’s 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, Vanderbilt 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 Vanderbilt grows in line with our principles and values, we seek to expand opportunity for students, faculty and our community.

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.  

“From cybersecurity to energy distribution to medicine and science of all kinds, the potential for quantum innovation to improve our lives is enormous,” Vanderbilt 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.

“This collaboration brings together Vanderbilt’s deep expertise in quantum research and graduate education with EPB’s unique quantum infrastructure to create an environment where world-class ideas can move quickly from the lab to real-world applications,” said Vicky Gregg, EPB board chair in the announcement. “By working side by side at the EPB Quantum Center, we’re paving the way for innovations that can make energy services more secure, cost-effective and resilient for our customers. At the same time, we’re strengthening Chattanooga’s position as a place where cutting-edge technologies can drive new economic opportunity for our whole community.”