Two research hubs associated with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) have received official designations as Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs from President Biden and the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

The Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Hub (iFAB), led by the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) at UIUC, seeks to scale precision fermentation to convert underutilized corn feedstocks into a variety of goods — like textiles, biofuels, customized alternative proteins, and more. Learn more about iFAB, the IBRL, and precision fermentation here.

Also receiving official designation was The Bloch Tech Hub, led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE). The Grainger College of Engineering's Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center (IQUIST) is an anchor member of the CQE. The CQE aims to become a world leader in quantum computing, communications, and related solutions. Advances in quantum computing promise to reveal new solutions in many fields and industries, from logistics optimization and secure data sharing to drug discovery and fraud detection. Read more about The Bloch Tech Hub here.

The Tech Hubs Program aims to strengthen U.S. economic and national security with investments in regions across the country with assets and resources with the potential to become globally competitive in the technologies and industries of the future — and for those industries, companies, and the good jobs they create, to start, grow, and remain in the United States. In total, President Biden designated 31 inaugural hubs across the United States and Puerto Rico after over 400 entities applied for designation. In Phase 2 of the Tech Hubs program, 5-10 of the Designated Tech Hubs will be awarded implementation grants worth approximately $40-$70 million.