July 14, 2026 -- The National Science Foundation (NSF) will award $15 million over the next two years to the Rochester/Finger Lakes region of New York to establish a national hub for laser science and development. RIT is a key partner in the initiative.

The award, matched by $16 million in New York state support over the next six years, will establish an internationally competitive technology and innovation cluster in the region focused on laser technologies, education, company creation, manufacturing, and workforce development.

An estimated $16 trillion global marketplace depends on lasers for everything from smartphones to national defense but is increasingly based overseas. The STELLAR (Science, Technology and Engineering for Laser and Laser Applications Research) project will bolster laser production domestically.

Along with RIT, the project’s key partners include the Institute of Optics and Laboratory for Laser Energetics at the University of Rochester, the project lead; Monroe Community College, NextCorps Luminate, Greater Rochester Enterprise, AmeriCOM, and New York state. In addition, more than 90 organizations including industry, higher education, startups, state and local government, venture capitals, and not-for-profits have offered collaboration and support of the initiative.

“Laser technology powers everything from advanced manufacturing and communications to national security and healthcare,” said RIT President Bill Sanders. “This award positions the Rochester region to build on its legacy of innovation while strengthening America's competitiveness in one of the world's most important technologies. RIT is honored to join our partners in creating a national hub for laser research, education, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. Together, we are expanding opportunities for students, advancing discoveries that matter, and helping ensure that the emerging technologies shaping the future are developed right here.”

Faculty-researchers involved in the initiative from RIT are Stefan Preble, the Bausch and Lomb Professor in Microsystems Engineering; Linda Bryant, director of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf’s (NTID) Learning Consortium which includes NTID Online Initiatives and NTID Center for Workforce Development; Seth Hubbard, head of the School of Physics and Astronomy; and Jie Qiao, associate professor in the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science.

Preble is on the STELLAR leadership team as a co-principal investigator. He is an expert in photonic integrated circuits. Bryant brings her experience to help bolster the education facet of the project. Hubbard is also a faculty member in the microsystems engineering Ph.D. program and is a lead researcher in the growth, fabrication, and characterization of photovoltaic devices. Qiao leads the Advanced Optical Fabrication, Instrumentation, and Metrology Laboratory at RIT.

“Through STELLAR, we will drive the next era of innovation in laser technologies and their applications,” said Preble. “By leveraging Rochester’s and RIT’s leadership in optics, photonics, imaging, semiconductor, and microelectronic research and education, and working closely with our partners, we will advance transformative laser-enabled technologies and develop the skilled workforce needed to maintain our region’s position as a global leader.

A national investment rooted in Rochester’s strengths

The Rochester and Finger Lakes region is already home to more than 150 optics, photonics, imaging, and laser supply-chain companies, as well as institutions and facilities that are national leaders in the field. These include:

• URochester’s Institute of Optics, the nation’s premier program for education and research in optics, photonics, imaging, and laser science, founded nearly 100 years ago, and URochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics, site of Nobel-prize winning research and home to the largest—and among the most powerful—lasers in academia.
• RIT’s Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science, which created the nation’s first imaging science program, and the Semiconductor Nanofabrication Laboratory, which houses a class 1000 cleanroom facility with a complete equipment set for the fabrication of semiconductor, laser, and photonic devices. RIT is also home to the nation’s first BS and MS degree programs in microelectronic engineering, and the nation’s first Ph.D. program in microsystems engineering.
• Monroe Community College, home to the nation's first community college optical systems technology program and a national leader in helping establish optics programs at other community colleges, including SUNY Corning Community College.
• Companies and organizations such as L3Harris, Corning, Optimax Systems, Inc., TOPTICA Photonics, Inc., and AIM Photonics that manufacture high-precision optics in aerospace, defense, and semiconductor industries.

Laser products are essential in a wide range of fields, including manufacturing, communications, inspection, environment sensing, defense, and security systems. While the laser was first theorized and demonstrated by American scientists and engineers, STELLAR’s organizers say the U.S. risks falling behind China and Europe in the critical technology without serious, sustained attention. 

The manufacturing and packaging of lasers are increasingly being carried out overseas. At the same time, there’s a shortage of skilled workers in the optics and photonics industry, according to SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics. Through the NSF Engines program, STELLAR’s leaders aim to bring New York laser research, development, and manufacturing to a scale that can compete globally. 

“NSF Engines investments in critical technologies and future industries will transform America’s innovation infrastructure for decades to come," said Brian Stone, performing the duties of the NSF director. “The NSF STELLAR Engine will strengthen U.S. competitiveness in global markets by advancing lasers and laser application research for manufacturing, defense, communication and healthcare.

Project leaders began formally planning STELLAR in 2023, when NSF awarded a $1 million Regional Innovation Engines Development Award grant. The project was ultimately selected from a process that began with nearly 300 letters of intent.

The Rochester/Finger Lakes coalition is one of the newest 12 U.S. teams across 20 states to receive NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) funding

The NSF Engines program is intended to build and scale new innovation clusters that accelerate the development of critical technologies and grow regional economies nationwide. The initiative has the potential to eventually receive up to $160 million over the next decade.

“This is a tremendous moment for the University of Rochester, our region, and the American public,” said URochester President Sarah Mangelsdorf. “Through this rigorous proposal process, our regional leaders have demonstrated that we have the talent and the teamwork needed to reposition our nation at the forefront of laser research, development, and manufacturing.

““We are grateful to the National Science Foundation for recognizing this special ecosystem of innovation in Greater Rochester,” said Sanders. “In addition, we thank our congressional delegation and the state of New York. This includes Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, Representative Morelle, Representative Langworthy, Representative Tenney, and Governor Hochul for sharing in this vision and incredible support.”