Quantum Research Interdisciplinary Science and Education (QRISE) Center

Advancing Quantum Innovation that Empowers the Future

Middle Tennessee State University’s QRISE is a world-class hub for advancing quantum discovery, innovation, education, workforce, and economic development. QRISE is dedicated to driving breakthroughs that will shape the next generation of technology and transform how we understand and harness the quantum world.

Through pioneering research, collaborative partnerships, and hands-on learning, QRISE prepares students to become leaders in the rapidly evolving quantum world and prepares them for the careers of the future. The center serves as a catalyst for innovation by connecting academia, industry, and government to strengthen Tennessee’s role in the national quantum ecosystem, expand economic opportunity positioning MTSU as the driving force of scientific and technological progress.

About Research and Funding

QRISE’s research spans quantum materials and devices, AI-accelerated and quantum-assisted simulation for faster materials discovery, and quantum photonics, including squeezed-light/entangled-photon sources, on-chip quantum sensors, and light–matter interaction studies for emerging communication and sensing platforms. These efforts are supported by NSF (National Science Foundation) and DOE (Department of Energy) awards and carried out with collaborators at ORNL (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) regional industry partners, giving students hands-on experience through MTSU’s QRISE curriculum, research placements, and outreach. By connecting faculty in physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, and engineering with government and industry, QRISE turns cutting-edge science into practical tools and prepares students for high-demand careers in the rapidly evolving quantum economy.

MTSU is the leading quantum institution in Middle Tennessee, with a long-standing and active portfolio in quantum research, education, and workforce development that closely aligns with SQC’s mission to advance quantum capabilities for defense, energy, aerospace, and space-related applications.

QRISE highlights include:

• Flagship partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, led by MTSU through a $2.2M DOE RENEW award (TN-QuMat Consortium) focused on quantum materials, high-performance computing, and federally aligned quantum workforce pipelines.
• More than $8.5M in active and recent federal funding in quantum and quantum-adjacent research, spanning DOE and NSF programs in quantum materials, quantum information science, AI-enabled simulation, and workforce development.
• First institution in Tennessee to launch an undergraduate Quantum Information Science concentration, in physics established in Spring 2023, providing the state’s earliest formal undergraduate quantum curriculum.
• Comprehensive undergraduate and graduate quantum training pathways, embedded across physics, computer science, mathematics, and AI-enabled computational science programs.
• The first in Tennessee NSF ExpandQISE Track-1 award supporting interdisciplinary quantum education and inclusive workforce development.
• QISE Graduate Program via NSF-funded NRT program in Quantum Information Science and AI designed to prepare PhD-level talent for national laboratories, defense contractors, and federal mission agencies.
• Statewide Train-the-Trainer programs and K-12 quantum outreach, supporting teachers, faculty, and students across Tennessee and strengthening long-term workforce readiness.
• Internationally recognized research leadership, with active collaborations in Europe and North America, including sustained partnerships with Germany-based quantum research institutions.
• Partnerships with ORNL, MTE, EPB, XANADU, Un. of Michigan, Virginia Tech, LSU, FSU, Un of Colorado Boulder, Duke, TnTech, Fisk, TSU, Meharry, Un of Buffalo.