Vanderbilt University and EPB of Chattanooga have announced the establishment of the Institute for Quantum Innovation, a new center for research, innovation, and graduate-level education in quantum science and technology. The initiative aims to position Chattanooga and the state of Tennessee as a national hub for advancing the quantum economy and addressing critical national priorities.
The Institute will accelerate discoveries by combining Vanderbilt University’s quantum nanophotonics and research programs with collaborative access to the EPB Quantum Center. The EPB Quantum Center is noted as the nation’s first facility to provide commercial access to both a trapped-ion quantum computer and a photonics-based local quantum network.
Pending accrediting agency approval, Vanderbilt will establish an academic research and innovation campus in Chattanooga, locating faculty, staff, and graduate students on-site. This collaboration is designed to accelerate advancements in key sectors—including energy, national security, health, and critical infrastructure—while driving local job creation, startup formation, and broader economic development. The initial research focus will center on quantum communication and sensing, applying these technologies to develop secure and resilient energy networks.
The commitment from the partners is supported by local and federal officials who emphasized the importance of the initiative for U.S. technological competitiveness and securing the nation’s grid and communications infrastructure. The partnership reinforces the strategic value of EPB’s infrastructure, whose quantum initiatives are expected to generate approximately 1 billion in value for the local community between 2026 and 2035.
The Institute will also develop and deliver graduate-level academic offerings, providing students with hands-on experience with EPB’s quantum and energy infrastructure to meet the rising demand for expertise in quantum fields and adjacent technologies like AI and cybersecurity.
Read the full announcement from Vanderbilt University here and EPB here.
December 10, 2025
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