The Rochester and Finger Lakes region in New York is poised to potentially secure up to $160 million in federal funding over the next decade, positioning itself as a prominent national hub for optics, photonics, imaging, and laser innovation. A coalition led by the University of Rochester (URochester) is among the final 15 regions competing for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines award.
Recently, representatives from the NSF conducted an on-site assessment of the region’s research institutions, companies, and workforce capabilities. This visit, which marked the final round of evaluation, involved interviews and thorough due diligence to assess the region’s readiness to manage a programme of this magnitude. Thomas Brown, director of the Institute of Optics at URochester, reported a positive reception, noting that NSF representatives expressed genuine appreciation for the collaborative efforts underway.
The evaluation process has already fostered collaboration among universities, companies, and economic development partners, centred around a common strategy, even in the absence of a guaranteed award.
Initiated by the National Science Foundation, the Regional Innovation Engines programme aims to stimulate discovery and innovation across the United States. The programme seeks to connect universities, businesses, and regional partners to translate research into practical applications, thereby driving economic growth. Each selected ‘engine’ may receive up to $160 million over ten years to establish partnerships and support research, workforce development, and business creation.
The overarching goal of the programme is to enhance innovation in areas that have not fully leveraged recent technological advancements, thereby fostering connections between industry, academia, and government. This initiative aims to create clearer pathways for workforce training and entrepreneurship.
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,’ commonly referred to as STELLAR. Senator Chuck Schumer underscored that this funding is expected to transform Rochester’s tech workforce, facilitating the development of new programmes for manufacturing careers and training the next generation of scientists, while also attracting employers and generating jobs.
STELLAR proposes the development of next-generation laser systems with enhanced performance, power, and precision. Supported 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 diverse sectors including communications, manufacturing, semiconductors, healthcare, national security, fusion energy, and scientific research.
Stefan Preble, Bausch and Lomb Professor and PhD programme director of microsystems engineering at RIT, highlighted the region’s existing strengths in ultrafast lasers, microchip-scale lasers, lasers for biotechnology, and quantum networking. The STELLAR initiative aims to expand this research on a larger scale.
STELLAR intends to leverage the region’s more than 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 align economic development with business needs and provide essential resources for business growth.
A key objective of this initiative is to attract laser technology startups to the region and enhance programmes like Luminate, which offer targeted support for manufacturing, supply chains, and industry requirements. Additionally, the project aims to attract investment by presenting the optics industry as a coordinated ecosystem, rather than a disjointed collection of individual startups, with plans to establish a $100 million venture development firm within three years.
STELLAR includes a workforce development component, building on partnerships between Monroe Community College (MCC), Finger Lakes Community College, URochester, and RIT. The aim is to create a more coordinated system for training and connecting individuals with job opportunities in the optics and photonics field, particularly targeting veterans, rural communities, and the Deaf community.
Project leaders stress the critical importance of investing in innovation to remain competitive with countries such as China, which are rapidly advancing in laser technologies. They reference China’s Hesai Technology as a notable example of a company that has become a global leader in LiDAR technology, raising concerns regarding national security implications.
The STELLAR proposal outlines an ambitious plan to grow the region’s laser industry tenfold over the next decade by expanding the workforce, enhancing laser system performance, increasing investment in research and infrastructure, and accelerating the commercialisation of new technologies.
Alexis Vogt, endowed chair and professor of optics at MCC, expressed confidence in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region’s compelling case, citing its depth of expertise in lasers, optics, imaging, and advanced manufacturing.
A decision regarding the NSF funding is anticipated in the coming months. Regardless of the outcome, project leaders are optimistic that the collaborative process has already generated momentum and established a foundation for future innovation in the region.