The Quantum Scholars program has garnered support from several new sponsors, leading to an increase in the number of fellowships available for students this fall. Forty undergraduates will receive a $2,500 fellowship next academic year because of the generous external support. 

Earlier this year, SPIE, the society for optics and photonics, committed to matching $100,000 in external gifts to the Quantum Scholars program over the next two years. The substantial commitment from SPIE has spurred action from industry and donors, resulting in a growing list of supporters. 

The sponsors include several CU Boulder alumni and friends, including Tim Valle (PhDPhys’92) in honor of his late wife Jennifer Turner-Valle (EngPhys’92), Tom Bliska (Phys’77) and his wife Gray Boyce, Joe Mitchell (PhDPhys’87) and his wife Cindy Mitchell, Chris Monroe (PhDPhys’92), and Chris Myatt (PhDPhys’97) and his family. 

Chris Myatt commented on his recent commitment, “The physics education at the University of Colorado Boulder is top notch and prepared me for the diverse needs as an entrepreneur.” He added “I have hired dozens of graduates into my companies, and I am proud to support the next generation of researchers and innovators.” 

Industry partners Infleqtion and Vescent have also committed funds to sponsor the program. Both companies are valued partners and have strong connections to CU Boulder.

Infleqtion was originally launched as ColdQuanta in 2007 by Dana Anderson, professor of physics and JILA fellow, based on quantum technologies developed in his lab. The company now focuses on making quantum available everywhere, through scalable devices that allow their technology to expand its reach.

Since its humble beginnings in the Anderson lab, Infleqtion has grown into a worldwide company with a presence in the US, UK, Australia and Japan. “We are ever so proud, though, to have our roots at the University of Colorado Boulder,” said Anderson, who now serves as Chief Strategy Officer.

Infleqtion has contributed to the Quantum Scholars program beyond their funding, with several leading scientists and guests giving talks to the scholars. "The university has a history of equipping students to get things done like no other institution I know of – the hands-on education and training here is the best in the world,” said Anderson. “We are pleased to contribute to the tradition through our support of the Quantum Scholars program.”

Vescent was co-founded by Scott Davis (PhDChemPhys’99) in 2002. Based out of Golden, Colorado, Vescent develops and manufactures precision lasers and electro-optic technologies. Davis now serves as CEO and Cofounder of Vescent, and maintains close ties with the university by serving on the Physics Advancement Advisory Committee and through substantial contributions to the Quantum Scholars program.

“Quantum Scholars is second-to-none in providing education and skills for companies like mine, and our customers and partners,” said Davis. He wishes a program like Quantum Scholars existed when he was a student at CU Boulder, adding “it’s an incredible program!”

The quantum industry itself has seen a large rise in attention and funding recently, and CU Boulder has been at the forefront of significant advances both scientifically and in workforce development.

“As quantum technologies transition from the lab to the field, they are poised to disrupt multiple industries,” said Davis. “Just as CU Boulder led the scientific advances decades ago that set the world down this path – through creation of the Bose-Einstein Condensate, frequency combs, and much more – CU is again leading with training the much-needed quantum workforce.”

These generous gifts from alumni, friends and industry partners directly support fellowships for Quantum Scholars, enabling them to dedicate themselves to research and education in the quantum field.  

Questions about getting involved in the Quantum Scholars Program as an industry partner or supporter can be directed to Keawe Liu.