IonQ and the University of Maryland have announced a multi-year expansion of their National Quantum Laboratory (QLab) partnership, strengthening collaboration in quantum computing, quantum networking, and workforce development. The $7.5 million initiative is supported by the State of Maryland’s Capital of Quantum Initiative through the University of Maryland Economic Development Corporation (UMEC) and builds on a strategic partnership first established in September 2024.
The expanded agreement is designed to accelerate research and deployment of next-generation quantum technologies while positioning Maryland as a leading hub in the rapidly evolving quantum industry. The collaboration deepens IonQ’s integration with UMD researchers and students, transforming QLab into a large-scale testbed for quantum networking systems and emerging hardware architectures.
Niccolo de Masi, Chairman and CEO of IonQ, said the partnership reflects a shared effort to expand access to advanced quantum computing and networking capabilities while strengthening talent pipelines. He noted that the expanded scope includes hardware upgrades, broader research engagement, and continued alignment with Maryland’s “Capital of Quantum” initiative.
University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines said the strengthened agreement enhances QLab’s role as a premier research environment, enabling faculty and students to work directly with industry-grade quantum systems. He emphasized that the collaboration supports discovery, workforce development, and the state’s broader ambition to lead in quantum innovation.
A central feature of the expansion is the deployment of a quantum memory node based on silicon vacancy (SiV) technology. This system is expected to support advanced quantum networking experiments and enable new applications built on IonQ’s quantum interconnect platform. The installation also complements ongoing efforts such as the Mid-Atlantic Region Quantum Internet (MARQI), which is developing regional-scale quantum communication infrastructure.
The partnership includes four key areas of focus.
First, the quantum memory node deployment represents the largest component of the agreement. It will provide a platform for testing quantum networking use cases and developing applications that could later scale toward commercial deployment.
Second, IonQ will expand access to its quantum computing systems for UMD researchers and students. The additional compute capacity is intended to meet growing demand as academic use of quantum systems accelerates across multiple disciplines.
Third, the collaboration will advance joint applied research projects. These include studies in quantum machine learning and holographic error-correcting codes, bringing together IonQ scientists and UMD faculty to explore both near-term and mid-term quantum applications.
Fourth, the partners will jointly develop advanced experimental hardware, including a specialized laser system designed to support more complex quantum algorithms and research into quantum thermodynamics.
The initiative also emphasizes workforce development, offering students hands-on experience with commercial-grade quantum platforms and experimental networking systems. This aligns with broader efforts in Maryland to build a skilled talent pipeline capable of supporting a future quantum economy.
Beyond the University of Maryland, IonQ continues to expand its academic and institutional partnerships globally. The company collaborates with institutions such as the University of Cambridge, the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, the University of Chicago, the state of Tennessee and EPB, alongside other international research organizations focused on quantum networking and applications.
