FAU's CA-AI Receives $3M to Build Florida's Quantum-Ready Workforce

FAU Will House Nation's First University-Based Rydberg-Atom Quantum RF Sensing Technology

BOCA RATON, Fla., Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Atlantic University's Center for Connected Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (CA-AI), within the College of Engineering and Computer Science, received a $3 million award from the U.S. Department of Labor's Strengthening Institutions Program to develop a quantum-ready workforce in Florida through education and research training in quantum-enabled sensing and communications.

The project, "Building Florida's Quantum-Ready Workforce: Quantum-Skilled Pathways in Integrated Sensing and Communications from Early College to Graduate Studies," is led by George Sklivanitis, Ph.D., associate director of CA-AI, Charles E. Schmidt Associate Research Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and fellow of the Institute for Smarter Cities, Spaces, and Health; and Dimitris Pados, Ph.D., director of CA-AI, Charles E. Schmidt Eminent Scholar in Engineering, professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and fellow of the Institute for Smarter Cities, Spaces, and Health.

The initiative will establish educational pathways that introduce students to quantum technologies beginning at the early-college level and continuing through graduate education. The program will combine foundational quantum education with advanced coursework and hands-on research work and training in quantum sensing and communications, preparing students with skills applicable to emerging quantum technologies.

Working with Infleqtion Inc.'s Colorado Quantum Innovation Center in Louisville, Colorado, FAU plans to acquire Rydberg-atom quantum radio-frequency (RF) sensing and communications equipment paired with an optical atomic clock, making FAU the first university in the nation to house this technology. The equipment will support a new research and training program for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students.

CA-AI researchers will develop and deliver a new course in quantum sensing and communications, giving students direct experience with the new equipment and its applications. The educational program is expected to reach more than 100 students during the five-year grant period.

"Developing the workforce to support quantum technologies is just as important as investing in the technology itself," said Stella Batalama, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. "This $3 million award builds on the expertise we have established through CA-AI in advanced communications, sensing and artificial intelligence while preparing students to contribute to the rapidly evolving quantum landscape. This initiative is an important step in developing the highly skilled talent Florida will need to advance quantum technologies and strengthen its leadership in this emerging field."

CA-AI conducts research spanning networked AI, robotics and autonomous systems, advanced wireless communications and sensing technologies. The new initiative builds on that expertise by extending the center's work into quantum sensing and communications education and workforce development.

"Quantum technologies are changing the way we approach sensing, communications and information processing, and preparing the workforce requires more than introducing students to quantum theory," said Pados. "By giving students direct access to emerging quantum sensing and communications technologies, we can connect fundamental concepts with hands-on engineering experience and prepare them to contribute to this rapidly developing field. With this grant, FAU completes the quantum trifecta: quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum communications research and training."

The award comes as FAU continues to expand its capabilities in quantum science and engineering. The university is preparing to host a D-Wave Advantage2™ quantum computer, providing faculty and students with on-site access to advanced quantum computing infrastructure and making FAU Florida's first quantum university.

"Our goal is to connect quantum education directly to the engineering skills students will need as these technologies move from research environments into practical applications," said Sklivanitis. "By creating a pathway that begins at the early-college level and continues through graduate education, we can help students build increasingly advanced knowledge and skills as they prepare to enter the quantum workforce."

Infleqtion is a global leader in quantum technology, delivering neutral-atom solutions for quantum computing, networking, sensing and security.

"As a quantum technology company, building a quantum-ready workforce is essential, and that starts with getting the latest technology in the hands of future quantum innovators," said Matthew Kinsella, CEO of Infleqtion. "By bringing our quantum RF sensing technology and Tiqker optical atomic clock to Florida Atlantic University, we're giving students the opportunity to develop practical skills and explore new applications in quantum sensing. FAU is leading the way to help prepare the next generation of engineers and researchers to turn quantum capabilities into real-world solutions."

The award is funded through the U.S. Department of Labor's Strengthening Institutions Program (Title III, Part A of the Higher Education Act), which supports eligible institutions in strengthening academic quality, institutional management and fiscal stability. The five-year project runs from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2031.

FAU continues to advance its position as Florida's first quantum university, making strategic investments in research, education and infrastructure to drive innovation in next-generation computing. Through the FAU Center for Quantum Technologies, the university brings together faculty, students and industry partners to advance quantum research and prepare the workforce for the emerging quantum economy. FAU's investment includes the installation of a D-Wave Advantage2 annealing quantum computer on its Boca Raton campus, giving researchers and students access to leading-edge quantum technology and helping position Florida at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field.

About Florida Atlantic University:

Florida Atlantic University is one of the nation's fastest-rising public research universities, serving more than 32,000 students in South Florida. Ranked among the Top 100 Public Universities by U.S. News & World Report, Florida Atlantic is also one of only 13 institutions nationwide to hold Carnegie Foundation designations for R1 research, opportunity and community engagement. Guided by its strategic plan, "2031FAU: Where Tomorrow Begins," the university is focused on delivering career-ready education and experiential learning, driving scholarly inquiry that creates healthier, safer and more prosperous communities, strengthening institutional excellence, and elevating its impact across South Florida and beyond. Florida Atlantic continues to advance its position as Florida's first quantum university, integrating research, education and industry partnerships around next-generation computing technologies. Through other signature strengths in neuroscience and healthy aging, environmental, ocean and coastal innovation, and national defense and autonomous systems, Florida Atlantic expands knowledge, fuels economic opportunity and fulfills its mission as South Florida's hometown university.

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SOURCE Florida Atlantic University