What is the Qualcomm Institute (QI) at UC San Diego?
QI is a nonprofit institute that brings together teams of faculty, students, technical professionals and industry partners from different fields to create innovative technology solutions to meet the biggest challenges facing society today. Founded in 2000 as part of a consortium with teams at UC Irvine and UC Riverside, QI also reinforces California’s leadership position in tech with cutting-edge applications and workforce training. Learn More
How does the institute advance its mission?
To spark innovation with technology, QI:
- Conducts pioneering interdisciplinary research in areas including technology, culture, energy, the environment, and health
- Provides a range of shared research facilities and services to its partners and affiliates
- Offers varied hands-on educational programs, such as workforce development and academic internship program (AIP) opportunities
Over the years, QI has also played a leading role in the development of new institutes and centers for the broader UC San Diego campus; these have included initiatives focused on topics from robotics to the brain.
What are concrete examples of how QI spans disciplines?
At QI, engineers and physicians collaborate to create new medical devices to diagnose and treat disease. Musicians work with colleagues in oceanography to compose works that raise awareness of the impact of climate change on ocean life. Archaeologists leverage engineering expertise to develop “digital twins” to record cultural heritage sites. These are just of few of the projects that have emerged at QI that show the potential of the interdisciplinary work the institute facilitates. Read more of our stories.
Who works at QI?
More than 150 research, technical and professional staff members at QI work with over 250 affiliated faculty members, as well as hundreds of students and postdocs, from across the UC San Diego campus. Find out more information about our leadership and access faculty and staff directories.
What is the CalIT2 consortium?
QI and teams from UC Irvine and UC Riverside comprise the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology or CalIT2. CalIT2 is one of four Gray Davis Institutes for Science and Innovation, which each bring together groups from multiple University of California campuses to keep the state on the cutting-edge of technology. Learn more about CalIT2 at calit2.org.
Are you part of Qualcomm, Inc?
No, the nonprofit UC San Diego division of CalIT2 was named the Qualcomm Institute in 2013 in recognition of tech company Qualcomm Inc.’s philanthropic gifts, which reached nearly $26 million between 2000 and 2012.
What shared facilities and services do you offer?
QI offers shared research facilities and services to UC San Diego faculty, students and staff, as well as off-campus groups. Facilities and services include nanotechnology, prototyping, circuits lab, magnetoencephalography brain imaging, chip-scale photonics testing, and IT systems for telematics and telemedicine. Other services include a start-up incubator, event hosting and creative services, such as audio-visual, graphic/web/multimedia design and grant writing. Some facilities and services charge at an hourly rate; others bill customers as a percentage of personnel and materials costs.
Does QI offer laboratory space or other services to the public?
Off campus researchers and entrepreneurs are welcome to use QI facilities and services alongside UC San Diego users. In addition, the QI Innovation Space encourages applications from any entrepreneur who is a good fit for the program.
Does QI take an equity stake in start-up companies in its incubator?
Unlike incubators that exist elsewhere on the UC San Diego campus, QI does not take an equity stake in companies leasing space in the QI Innovation Space facility. Instead, QI receives income from participating entities to the extent they hire QI for a variety of services, which also help contribute to the venture’s success
Can I host my event at QI?
Yes! Visit our events & presentation spaces page.
How can I donate to QI?
Thank you for your interest in supporting QI! To donate to QI or one of our programs, visit the UC San Diego Online Giving page. There, enter “Qualcomm Institute” in the “Search for more giving options” box; then, from the drop down menu, select “Qualcomm Institute Director’s Innovation Fund” (recommended) or other option.
If you would like to discuss giving opportunities, please reach out to one of the following contacts:
Beth DeLong
Executive Assistant to the QI Director
858-822-1943 edelong@ucsd.edu
Michael J. Horvat
Executive Director, University Development
858-822-1405 mhorvat@ucsd.edu
Do you offer internships?
Please see our Education section for more details on opportunities, including internships.
Where on the UC San Diego campus is QI located, and where do I park?
QI is located primarily in Atkinson Hall, at the corner of Voigt Drive and Equality Lane. The building address is 3195 Voigt Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 (the mailing address is 9500 Gilman Drive #0436, La Jolla, CA 92093-0436). The reception desk is on the fifth floor. Visitor parking is available in UC San Diego’s Hopkins Parking Structure. For a map, directions and parking information, visit our Contact page.
How do I get in touch with someone at QI?
Please visit our Contact page, the QI faculty/staff directories or the UC San Diego staff directory.