NASHVILLE, Tenn. – September 14, 2026 -- Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Deputy Gov. and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter announced today the launch of the Tennessee Quantum Utilization Buildout Infrastructure and Technology (QUBIT) Grant Program, housed under TNECD’s Office of Innovation.

The program will allocate $43 million, which was included in Gov. Lee’s recommended budget and passed during the 2026 legislative session, to support the physical and digital shared-use infrastructure and support network needed to connect Tennessee’s quantum assets and expand access to quantum technologies statewide.

“Tennessee is uniquely positioned to lead the future of quantum technology because of the extraordinary assets we have across our state,” said Gov. Lee. “By investing in the infrastructure needed to connect those assets, we’re creating new opportunities for innovation, economic growth and high-quality jobs for Tennesseans.”

The projects selected will aim to strengthen regional quantum hubs, expand quantum cloud access, establish open-access testbeds and advance a coordinated statewide quantum infrastructure network.

Eligible projects may include:

• Regional quantum network expansion
• Open-access quantum networking testbeds
• Statewide quantum cloud access
• Institutional and regional access nodes
• Quantum sensing and secure communications infrastructure
• Cybersecurity and interoperability infrastructure
• Supporting infrastructure

“Between Oak Ridge National Laboratory, EPB’s vast quantum network, leading research universities and an ever-growing technology sector, Tennessee has the foundation to become a national hub for quantum innovation,” said Deputy Gov. and Commissioner McWhorter. “TNECD is committed to cultivating a statewide innovation ecosystem that enables researchers, students, entrepreneurs and companies to transform groundbreaking ideas into real-world quantum technologies, creating new pathways for economic growth and long-term competitiveness.”

The QUBIT Grant Program is open to the following Tennessee-based eligible applicants: public or private nonprofit higher education institutions, development districts, Oak Ridge National Laboratory or public utilities. These applicants may lead consortia of project partners including for-profit companies, national or regional laboratories, nonprofit organizations, utilities, educational institutions, economic development organizations and other public or private entities. Applications will be evaluated based on strategic alignment, statewide benefit, technical merit, interoperability, readiness, access, partnerships, economic and workforce impact, cybersecurity, cost effectiveness and sustainability.