UK partners with regional universities in super intelligence computing consortium
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 9, 2026) — At the “Science: A New Golden Age Summit” in Washington, D.C. Oct. 8, the White House announced the Southeast Regional SI Computing Consortium, bringing together 15 universities across 10 states to build and share leadership-class compute infrastructure for scientific research.
In addition to the University of Kentucky, founding universities are Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Louisiana State, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas at Austin, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt.
“We are proud to be a founding partner of the Southeast Regional SI Computing Consortium,” said UK President Eli Capilouto. “With $1 billion already collectively invested in SI capabilities, our institutions are joining forces to expand access to industry-scaled SI infrastructure and strengthen research collaboration.”
UK’s Acting Vice President for Research Ilhem Messaoudi, Ph.D., who attended the summit, said, “I was honored to represent the University of Kentucky, alongside my colleagues from partner institutions, as the White House announced this consortium that will expand our role in advancing U.S. leadership in science and technology.”
The summit built on the landmark “Science: A New Golden Age” report published in July 2026 by White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios. The report, and corresponding FY2028 R&D Priorities Memorandum, directed agencies to align R&D with six national missions: Quantum, Fusion, Space, Robotics, Semiconductors and the Genesis Mission, in which two UK researchers serve as principal investigators and four serve as co-investigators.
“The new federal vision for science lays the groundwork for opportunities UK can lean into — the six national missions, regional innovation clusters and funding SI as a genuine instrument of discovery. These are all areas where UK can compete, partner and lead,” Messaoudi said.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and healthcare. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $1.02 billion research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.