Maryland’s push to cement its reputation as the nation’s “Capital of Quantum” recently took a major step forward with the announcement that Microsoft will open a quantum research center at the University of Maryland College Park (UMD) Discovery District. The facility will provide faculty, students, and government partners unprecedented access to cutting-edge quantum technologies while building on the state’s more than $1 billion commitment to expand its quantum ecosystem.
Gov. Wes Moore unveiled the plan at a press conference in College Park, describing the partnership as central to Maryland’s long-term vision for innovation.
“Maryland is making big bets on the future to grow our economy and drive innovation. Quantum is at the center of that strategy,” Moore said. “We are honored to partner with Microsoft in this effort, as we work together to create jobs, spark discovery, and stimulate growth. And together, we will continue to make Maryland the best place in the world to change the world.”
At the Center of Quantum Growth
UMD has long been recognized as a hub for quantum research, home to world-renowned institutions such as the Joint Quantum Institute and the Joint Center for Quantum Information and Computer Science. By housing Microsoft’s new lab in its Discovery District, the university will be at the forefront of integrating corporate innovation with academic research.
“This is a landmark moment for the University of Maryland and for the entire state,” UMD President Darryll J. Pines, PhD, stated in a press release, calling the project a milestone in the university’s decades-long work to establish leadership in quantum science. “The launch of Microsoft’s advanced quantum lab in our Discovery District is a testament to the incredible momentum we’ve built in quantum science and innovation. It reflects years of world-class research, visionary investment, and bold collaboration that together have made Maryland and the greater DC region the true Capital of Quantum.”
The center will provide UMD students and researchers with early access to Microsoft’s quantum hardware, including Majorana 1, the company’s recently unveiled chip designed with a topological qubit architecture. That design has been hailed as a potential breakthrough for error-resistant quantum systems that could reach commercial viability faster than anticipated.
SIDEBAR: What Is Quantum Research?
Quantum research explores how tiny particles behave in strange ways to build powerful new technologies—like super-fast computers and ultra-secure communication—that go beyond what regular science can do.
Quantum technologies are advancing rapidly across several fields, with real-world applications emerging in both research and industry.
Partnerships Driving Innovation
The new facility builds on the Capital of Quantum Initiative, launched by Moore in January at the College Park headquarters of IonQ, a UMD spinout and one of the world’s leading quantum companies. The initiative has already attracted nearly a dozen quantum startups to the Discovery District and committed more than $1 billion in combined state, university, and private investment.
UMD is a central player in these efforts. The university has pledged more than $70 million toward advancing the state’s quantum capacity through academics, workforce development, and technical support. Moore’s fiscal year 2026 budget added another $52.5 million to bolster the initiative.
Federal partnerships are also shaping the landscape. In April, the state signed a memorandum of agreement with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to create the Capital Quantum Benchmarking Hub at UMD. The deal secures up to $100 million in federal funds and ties the state directly into DARPA’s rigorous Quantum Benchmarking Initiative.
Microsoft, one of just two companies advancing to the final phase of DARPA’s program, will use its College Park center to collaborate directly with DARPA’s testing and evaluation teams.
Microsoft’s Role and Vision
Microsoft leaders have emphasized that the new lab is designed to foster cross-sector collaboration, not just corporate research.
“We are excited to be part of Moore’s vision for the Capital of Quantum through the opening of this unique, partner-focused quantum center in Maryland’s Discovery District,” said Jason Zander, executive vice president of strategic missions and technologies at Microsoft. “Together, we can advance quantum technology and accelerate U.S. leadership in science and innovation. This partnership exemplifies what is possible when state and federal leaders, academia, and industry unite for a common purpose.”
Microsoft’s decision to locate its quantum center at UMD highlights the university’s role as both a training ground for the next generation of quantum scientists and a nexus for partnerships with government and industry. The center will also attract top talent to College Park, giving students opportunities to work alongside Microsoft engineers while expanding Maryland’s skilled workforce in one of the most competitive fields in technology.
Maryland’s Strategic Position
Quantum science has emerged as a critical frontier in computing, promising to solve problems far beyond the reach of classical systems. With institutions like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Security Agency (NSA) nearby, Maryland has leveraged its proximity to federal agencies and research capacity to position itself as a national leader.
As Pines noted, the move represents more than a facility—it is the culmination of years of investment, collaboration, and vision. For Maryland, and especially for UMD, the opening of Microsoft’s new quantum center places College Park at the epicenter of a rapidly evolving field that promises to transform science, technology, and industry.
