Rochester Region Poised to Turn into National Photonics Innovation Hub with Potential $160 Million NSF Funding
The Rochester and Finger Lakes region in New York is on the cusp of securing up to $160 million in federal funding over the next decade, potentially establishing it as a leading national hub for optics, photonics, imaging, and laser innovation. A coalition spearheaded by the University of Rochester (URochester) is among the final 15 regions competing for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines award.
NSF Evaluation and Regional Enthusiasm
Last month, representatives from the NSF conducted an on-site assessment of the region’s research institutions, companies, and workforce capabilities. The visit, marking the final round of evaluation, involved interviews and due diligence to assess the region’s readiness to manage a program of this scale. According to Thomas Brown, director of the Institute of Optics at URochester, the visit was positive, with NSF representatives demonstrating a genuine appreciation for the collaborative effort.
The evaluation process has already fostered collaboration between universities, companies, and economic development partners around a shared strategy, even without a guaranteed award.
The NSF Regional Innovation Engines Program
Launched by the National Science Foundation, the Regional Innovation Engines program aims to stimulate discovery and innovation across the United States. The program seeks to connect universities, businesses, and regional partners to translate research into practical applications and drive economic growth [University of Rochester]. Each selected “engine” can receive up to $160 million over ten years to build partnerships and support research, workforce development, and business creation.
The program’s goal is to boost innovation in areas that haven’t fully benefited from recent technological advancements, fostering connections between industry, academia, and government, and creating clearer pathways for workforce training and entrepreneurship.
STELLAR: Catalyzing Upstate New York’s Laser Future
In 2023, URochester received $1 million in initial funding for the planning phase of its proposal, titled “Catalyzing Upstate New York’s Future in Science, Technology and Engineering of Laser and Laser Applications Research,” or STELLAR. Senator Chuck Schumer highlighted that the funding would revolutionize Rochester’s tech workforce, creating new programs for manufacturing careers and training the next generation of scientists, while too attracting employers and creating jobs.
STELLAR proposes the development of next-generation laser systems with enhanced performance, power, and precision. Anchored by URochester, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), the Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE), and the American Center for Optics Manufacturing, the initiative will focus on market-driven research in areas like communications, manufacturing, semiconductors, healthcare, national security, fusion energy, and scientific research.
Stefan Preble, Bausch and Lomb Professor and PhD program director of microsystems engineering at RIT, noted the region’s existing strengths in ultrafast lasers, microchip-scale lasers, lasers for biotechnology, and quantum networking. STELLAR aims to expand this research on a larger scale.
Commercialization and Investment
STELLAR plans to leverage the region’s 150+ optics, photonics, imaging, and laser technology companies to translate innovations into commercial products. The project will collaborate with Greater Rochester Enterprise, NextCorps’ Luminate, and NY Photonics to connect economic development with business needs and provide resources for business growth.
A key objective is to attract laser technology startups to the region and expand programs like Luminate, offering targeted support for manufacturing, supply chains, and industry requirements. The project also aims to attract investment by presenting the optics industry as a coordinated ecosystem, rather than a collection of individual startups, and to establish a $100 million venture development firm within three years.
Workforce Development
STELLAR includes a workforce development component, building on partnerships between Monroe Community College (MCC), Finger Lakes Community College, URochester, and RIT. The goal is to create a more coordinated system for training and connecting individuals with jobs in the optics and photonics field, with a focus on reaching veterans, rural communities, and the Deaf community.
Global Competition and National Security
Project leaders emphasize the importance of investing in innovation to compete with countries like China, which are rapidly advancing in laser technologies. They point to China’s Hesai Technology as an example of a company that has become a global leader in LiDAR technology, raising concerns about national security implications.
The STELLAR proposal outlines a plan to grow the region’s laser industry tenfold over the next decade by expanding the workforce, improving laser system performance, increasing investment in research and infrastructure, and accelerating the commercialization of new technologies.
Alexis Vogt, endowed chair and professor of optics at MCC, believes the Rochester-Finger Lakes region has a uniquely compelling case due to its depth of expertise in lasers, optics, imaging, and advanced manufacturing.
Looking Ahead
A decision on the NSF funding is expected in the coming months. Regardless of the outcome, project leaders emphasize that the collaborative process has already created momentum and laid the groundwork for future innovation in the region.