Community Impact Pilot Program

Advancing Quantum. Together.

Made possible by the support of the Department of Economic and Community Development and Connecticut Office of Innovation, the QuantumCT Community Impact Pilot Program aims to establish and strengthen partnerships with local community organizations in support of QuantumCT’s community engagement, education, and workforce development goals.

QuantumCT intends to award up to 3 grants of $5K to $25K for each grant category (up to 6 awards total) to support projects that raise public awareness and upskill individuals in quantum technologies and related fields. We invite proposals for projects that can be completed within 1 year of the award.

Program Timeline

  • Program opens: April 29, 2025
  • Application deadline: May 20, 2025
  • Award announcements expected: Early-mid June 2025

Review Criteria

Applications will be assessed on the project’s alignment with this call, the quality of the content the applicants propose to deliver, the reach of the project (number of encounters / touchpoints with the target audience), and the applicant’s ability to complete the project as proposed.

Reporting

Applicants will be required to submit progress reports to QuantumCT six months after the award begins and at the conclusion of the project. Progress reports should describe project activities and significant outcomes / milestones reached.

Application Process

Applications must consist of a single PDF document that includes all required materials. Please see the guidelines for applications materials below for full details.

Applications may be submitted by email to: community@quantumct.org.

Quantum Public Awareness & Outreach Award

Program Overview

QuantumCT invites proposals from Connecticut-based nonprofits, educational institutions, and civic organizations to support projects that amplify public understanding of quantum technologies and their impact on local economies and everyday life. Programs could include public education campaigns, interactive exhibits, or outreach initiatives that simplify and communicate quantum concepts to the general public.

Quantum Workforce Innovation Award

Program Overview

QuantumCT invites proposals from Connecticut-based workforce development boards, technical training institutions, and educational nonprofit organizations to support projects that will upskill individuals in quantum technologies and related fields. Applicants must propose training programs or internships that prepare workers for jobs in quantum, aligning with industry needs and future job markets in next-generation technologies.

Guidelines for Application Materials

Cover page:

  • Project Title
  • Name of QuantumCT award for which you are applying
  • Lead organization, point of contact, contact information
  • List of partnering/participating organizations, if any.

Organizational Readiness

1 page max (1-inch margines, 11-point font or greater)

Must address the following:

  • Resources – please describe any existing resources available for use in completing the project. Please indicate if those resources are controlled by your organization, have been committed by a partner, or if access has yet to be granted.
  • Track record – please describe any past projects completed by your organization or team that are similar to what you are proposing or that demonstrate your ability to complete the proposed project.

Budget

Please provide a 1-page basic budget that lists costs required for the completion of the project. Please include direct costs only.

 

Proposal Narrative

2 pages max (1-inch margins, 11-point font or greater)

Must address the following:

For the Quantum Public Awareness and Outreach Award

  • Your content/messaging goals. What are you trying to convey and why?
  • Your proposed activities for achieving those goals and the methods/approaches you plan to utilize.
  • What audiences do you plan to reach? How many “touchpoints” or “encounters” with your target audience do you foresee?
  • What are the expected impacts / outcomes of the project?
  • How will you evaluate the effectiveness of the project? How will you measure and assess the project’s impacts/outcomes?

For the Quantum Workforce Innovation Award

  • Your training content goals. What knowledge/skills are you imparting?
  • Your proposed training activities for achieving those goals and the methods/approaches you plan to utilize.
  • What audiences do you plan to reach? How many trainees do you anticipate reaching?
  • What are the expected impacts / outcomes of the project?
  • How will you evaluate the effectiveness of the project? How will you measure and assess the project’s impacts/outcomes?