The US National Science Foundation (NSF) has selected a coalition led by the University of Rochester to establish a regional innovation hub across upstate New York focused on laser technologies and applications.

The STELLAR coalition, which is short for Science, Technology and Engineering of Lasers and Laser Applications Research, will receive US$15 million in funding over its first two years. In addition, New York state has committed a further US$16 million over six years. If the program meets agreed performance milestones, it could receive as much as US$160 million from NSF over the next decade.

STELLAR is one of 12 new NSF Regional Innovation Engines in the cohort announced in July and it is designed to connect universities, companies, government agencies and investors so that research can translate efficiently into products, businesses and jobs.

The funding cements Rochester’s long-standing position as a center of excellence for optical science and technology.

In Rochester, the Engine will leverage an ecosystem of more than 150 optics, photonics, imaging and laser companies. Its main partners include: the Institute of Optics and the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, both at the University of Rochester; the Rochester Institute of Technology; Monroe Community College; NextCorps, a business incubator that provides startups with mentoring, resources and connections to investors; AmeriCOM, a national initiative focused on workforce development and innovation in precision-optics manufacturing; Greater Rochester Enterprise, a regional economic-development organization that works to attract investment, companies and jobs to the Rochester area; and more.

In excess of 90 academic, industry, government and nonprofit organizations have supported the initiative, which plans to pursue advances in laser science and manufacturing for applications spanning defense, communications and healthcare. In addition to prioritizing commercialization and the formation of startups, the coalition will also focus on training development to address the continuing need in the optics and photonics field for skilled researchers, technicians and engineers.

The funding reflects and cements Rochester’s long-standing position as a center of excellence for optical science and technology. The Institute of Optics was founded nearly a century ago and was the first optics education program in the United States. The Laboratory for Laser Energetics houses and operates some of the biggest and most powerful laser systems in academia. The Rochester Institute of Technology contributes strengths in imaging and semiconductor fabrication, while Monroe Community College is a national leader in optics-technician education.

Planning for STELLAR began in 2023 and the successful proposal emerged from a highly competitive national selection process that drew several hundred letters of intent.