MON AM News: QTS Data Centers, UW-Madison announce research initiative; WARF committing $206.9M to UW-Madison, Morgridge Institute for Research

November 17, 2025

— QTS Data Centers has announced a new research effort with UW-Madison, putting $1.5 million toward improving data center sustainability.

The global digital infrastructure business and the university on Friday announced the Advancing Data Center Sustainability research initiative, which involves the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and other faculty across campus.

Supported research projects will focus on grid stability, advanced battery storage, renewable fuels, environmental impacts of data centers and other key factors. Those categories can include water quality improvement efforts, AI-based monitoring of pollinators and other animals, new energy systems and other applications.

Madison Williams, chief investment officer for QTS, touts the impact of partnerships between industry and academia.

“The insights gained from this research initiative are essential to shaping our next generation of sustainable digital infrastructure, supporting the growing digital demands of daily life while driving lasting economic impact for Dane County and beyond,” Williams said in a statement.

Paul Robbins, dean of the Nelson Institute, says the investment from QTS will help its researchers grapple with the practical challenges presented by data centers.

“We are excited to partner with leading industries to help create more sustainable outcomes,” he said in a statement on the research effort.

The company last month announced plans for a data center campus in Dane County, including an initial $50 million community commitment for the county with a “planned multibillion dollar development” down the road.

The project would create thousands of construction jobs to build the facility and hundreds more full-time positions, according to an overview from QTS.

Along with its community support aimed at workforce development, housing and other “critical needs” for locals, the company says it will pay for all project energy infrastructure, pledging no cost impact to existing customers due to the data center.

Meanwhile, the company has rolled out an “agreement in principle” with Alliant Energy to leverage renewable energy credits to reduce the cost of the Madison utility’s planned renewable facilities.

QTS said in late October that it plans to submit a zoning application for the Dane County project to the DeForest Village Board this month.

See more in the release.

— WARF is committing $206.9 million to UW-Madison and the Morgridge Institute for Research in fiscal year 2026 through annual grants and other support.

The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, which acts as UW-Madison’s patenting and licensing organization, recently announced the support as part of its 100th anniversary celebration.

The total support figure includes $131.1 million in grants and operational and functional support, as well as the transfer of WARF’s ownership stake in the Discovery Building in Madison and supportive funds, making up about $76 million.

In a recent speech to the Madison chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, WARF CEO Erik Iverson discussed the group’s impact after being recognized as an “Outstanding Organization” by the association.

He noted WARF has provided more than $4.5 billion in support to the university through patenting, licensing and investing activities.

“Everything we do — every investment, every grant, every decision — is rooted in supporting the brilliant researchers at the university,” he said, according to prepared remarks. “Their discoveries save lives, fuel progress, and improve the world we live in.”

UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin said WARF’s support has been “instrumental” to the university’s efforts to serve the state and meet challenges, pointing to the group’s investments in UW spin-off companies and efforts to advance cancer care.

“We remain grateful to WARF for its commitment to advancing research at the university and making a difference for the people we serve,” she said in a statement.

See more in the release.

— Circulating legislation would create a state “Farm to Fork” program, providing grants to help qualifying organizations buy locally produced foods.

A group of Dem lawmakers, including Sen. Brad Pfaff of Onalaska and Rep. Karen DeSanto of Baraboo, recently sent a co-sponsorship memo to other lawmakers seeking support for the bill. They note nearly 700,000 state residents, including 250,000 children, struggle with hunger.

Bill authors argue their “common-sense proposal” would strengthen ties between Wisconsin farmers and local communities, create new market opportunities for the state ag sector and keep local dollars circulating at the community level.

“At a time of self-inflicted trade losses and political chaos in Washington, the State of Wisconsin must step forward to shore up and expand programs to protect Wisconsin families facing hunger and a lack of basic necessities,” they wrote in the memo.

Their approach is modeled on the USDA Farm to School program, but would provide grants to other organizations with cafeterias such as hospitals, corporate campuses, state facilities and child care centers.

“This promotes the growth of significant new customers for Wisconsin farmers and incentivizes healthy, local eating for all citizens,” authors wrote.

The bill would also provide new funding to help DATCP administer the existing Farm to School program, while also requiring the state agency to give preference to school districts with more students who are eligible for free for reduced-cost meals, the memo shows.

Plus, it would provide state general purpose revenue to the state Deparatment of Public Instruction to support the required 25% match for federal Farm to School grants, which authors say will help draw down more federal dollars for the program.

The co-sponsorship deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday.

See the bill text.

— Seven organizations have been named Wisconsin Innovation Award winners for 2025, from established biotech companies to manufacturers, educators and more.

The Wisconsin Technology Council recently announced this year’s awardees, who were presented at a ceremony at the Monona Terrace in Madison. They were chosen from among 300 nominees and 27 finalists.

These include:

*Promega Corp. in Madison, which was recognized for its GloMax Galaxy imaging product that scientists use to study proteins and cell behavior. It’s meant to reduce cost and complexity compared to other imaging systems, according to the Tech Council.

*One City Schools in Monona, which was founded in 2014 and has since grown to include an elementary school and preparatory academy, chartered by the Universities of Wisconsin Office of Educational Opportunity.

*LivAI, a Waunakee company developing an AI-based cancer test that uses imaging technology to provide insights on tumors, including diagnosis, response to drug treatments and more.

*Safepro Technologies in Dousman, recognized for its Soteria System used to guide people during emergency situations like fires or active shooters.

*Madison Reading Project, a literacy initiative that offers free books and other content to kids in the state, while operating its Big Red Reading Bus program to connect people statewide.

*Technova Industries, which has a checkpoint system for supply chains called Nova Control, which can verify cargo movement to avoid human error.

*Realta Fusion, a Madison tech company working toward nuclear fusion energy based on a novel magnetic mirror design.

See the release.

See a recent story on Realta Fusion.

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