COLLEGE PARK, Md. – A University of Maryland-led proposal that aims to harness advanced sensing and computing technologies to accelerate the growth of regional quantum and neurotech ecosystems and equitably direct the economic benefits of those sectors to where they’re needed most, is advancing to the next stage of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) program.
Entitled “The Chesapeake NeuroTech: Equitech's Quantum Leap (CN-EQL) Engine,” the UMD-led team is knitting together the region’s world-class hubs in quantum science and neurotech, focused around College Park and Baltimore, respectively. Neurotech is a field that uses technology to understand, visualize, and control the brain and nervous system, while quantum technologies use features of quantum mechanics to enable sensitive sensors and a new type of computer that could dramatically outperform classical supercomputers for certain complex problems. The CN-EQL will help to transition quantum and other advanced technologies into neurotech to deliver breakthroughs in understanding, evaluating, diagnosing and treating brain traumas and neurological disorders. Nearly half of all people across their lifetimes are affected by these medical conditions, making them the leading driver of the global cost of disease.
“A unique feature of our proposal is that it aims to create an inclusive regional innovation ecosystem founded on Equitech, a cultural framework developed in Baltimore, Md., to broaden participation in economic benefits by supporting innovators from communities that have traditionally been inequitably represented and/or resourced, creating pathways for better careers and wealth creation, and prioritizing tech that meets the needs of and is accessible to these communities,” said Dean Chang, PhD, UMD’s Chief Innovation Officer and lead investigator on the NSF Engines proposal.
NSF announced that 71 teams spanning nearly every state and territory in the nation are invited to submit a full proposal to the NSF Engines program, which is in its second year. Developed as part of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, the program seeks to catalyze and foster innovation ecosystems across the United States to advance critical technologies; address pressing national and societal challenges; cultivate partnerships across industry, academia, government, nonprofits, civil society and communities of practice; promote and stimulate economic growth and job creation; and spur regional innovation and talent.
"The breadth and depth of preliminary proposals submitted to the NSF Engines funding opportunity demonstrates both the very real need for and the potential of harnessing the full geography of innovation across our nation," said Erwin Gianchandani, NSF assistant director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships. "The teams invited to submit a full proposal have shown through their preliminary proposal submissions how they will knit together innovative ideas, talent and resources in their respective regions to accelerate the development of key technologies. Collectively, they are well positioned to directly contribute to strengthening our nation's competitiveness and security for the mid-21st century."
As a part of this next stage in the NSF Engines competition, the CN-EQL team will convene more than 70 regional industry, academic, government and non-profit partners to refine proposed efforts around critical technology research and development, building flexible and equitable talent pipelines, and improving commercialization and translation to clinical use of advanced sensing and computing technologies. Core partners include the Greater Baltimore Committee, which runs the Baltimore Tech Hub to grow its cutting-edge predictive healthcare ecosystem; Connected DMV, which is helping to grow the globally-connected quantum ecosystem in and around Greater Washington, DC; and TEDCO, the State of Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, including through its newly launched Equitech Growth Fund.