# NIST Funds Tennessee Quantum Testbed

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology awarded Tennessee Tech University **$2.1 million** to establish a regional quantum communications testbed connecting Cookeville and Crossville, Tennessee. The project is scheduled for completion in September 2028. The award supports research infrastructure rather than an identified open solicitation, but it may create future opportunities involving equipment, networking, research, and workforce collaboration.

- Tennessee Tech is the awardee; the testbed’s planned geographic footprint spans Cookeville and Crossville.
- **Why this matters:** Suppliers and research organizations working in quantum communications and network infrastructure may find opportunities to collaborate as the testbed is developed.
- Companies can use the project’s September 2028 completion target to contextualize potential future engagement, while noting that the source identifies no current procurement or solicitation.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 29, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

### Vendors
- Tennessee Tech University (awardee)

### Sources
- [Tech Receives $2.1 Million Federal Award to Establish Regional Quantum Communications Testbed - UCBJ - Upper Cumberland Business Journal](https://www.ucbjournal.com/tech-receives-2-1-million-federal-award-to-establish-regional-quantum-communications-testbed) - Upper Cumberland Business Journal