Press Release  Governor Healey Announces $25 Million for New MIT Quantum Systems Lab, Strengthening MA’s Global Leadership in Quantum Computing Research

Boston — Today, Governor Maura Healey announced the state would make a substantial commitment of state matching funds for the construction of a new Quantum Systems Laboratory (QSL) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, leveraging federal and private dollars to bolster Massachusetts’ global leadership in quantum technology and create new jobs today and into the future. 

The commitment of up to $25 million in state matching funds will enable MIT to create a new lab in the heart of the Institute’s campus in Cambridge. The QSL, a shared-use facility, will enable a first-in-the-world opportunity for the shared study of quantum compute–enhanced sensing and give students at leading higher education institutions like the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Boston and others an opportunity to train on cutting-edge technology for the jobs of the future. MIT’s construction partner is Suffolk Construction. 

“This is a major economic development opportunity for Massachusetts that will strengthen our position as a global leader in quantum computing research, create hundreds of jobs and spur transformative scientific discoveries,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re also laying the foundation for future quantum computing companies to employ the students graduating from our colleges and universities in the years to come. We are proud to be home to the best research institutions and talent in the world, and we’re grateful for the leadership of MIT and President Kornbluth in this new scientific frontier.” 

“Greater Boston has the greatest concentration of quantum talent anywhere in the world, working on a range of potential applications. Through the new Quantum Systems Laboratory, we will help position Massachusetts to lead the next era of quantum technologies,” said MIT President Sally Kornbluth. “This facility will serve those at the edges of our wildest imaginations in physics and quantum computing, yes. But it will also equip the talent in our region -- and ultimately, our nation -- to push our knowledge to new limits, and new innovations.” 

“Quantum computing has the potential to reshape industries ranging from health care to defense to advanced manufacturing, and Massachusetts is uniquely positioned to help drive that work forward,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “This investment strengthens a critical part of our innovation ecosystem, supports collaboration across research institutions and industry, and helps ensure that the next generation of quantum companies and talent are growing here in Massachusetts.” 

“I’m excited to be able to make this commitment of state matching funds to support a transformational project at MIT that will position Massachusetts to continue its global leadership in the fields of AI and quantum computing, while giving students an unrivaled opportunity to train for the jobs of the future,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “This is exactly the type of project we envisioned supporting when we partnered with the Legislature to create the Federal Match and Debt Reduction Fund, leveraging private and federal dollars to advance our economic development goals and attract future investment and job growth.” 

“This commitment represents another success in Massachusetts' strategy to bring federal dollars into the state while supporting jobs and innovation,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “We’re thrilled that the Federal Match and Debt Reduction Fund will support novel, cutting-edge quantum research in Massachusetts.” 

“Quantum technology represents the next major frontier of innovation with the potential to transform the global business landscape,” said John Fish, Chairman and CEO of Suffolk. “From accelerating scientific discovery to optimizing complex systems and unlocking new capabilities, quantum computing will drive competitiveness, economic growth and innovation across all industries. Governor Healey’s commitment to advancing quantum research further strengthens the Commonwealth’s leadership in this transformative technology. We are proud to partner with MIT and the Commonwealth on a project that will help shape the future workforce, accelerate the next generation of technological breakthroughs and position the Commonwealth as a leader of the world’s innovation economy for decades to come.” 

The QSL project aligns closely with the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s technology and economic development priorities, bringing cutting-edge research to Massachusetts and helping to facilitate the development of rapidly evolving technologies such as AI and quantum computing. 

Users from across academia, government, and industry will have access to a one-of-a-kind, tightly integrated quantum system. Planned initiatives, like a standard quantum peripheral benchmark, will establish what will essentially be a plug-and-play set up that allows outside collaborators, including commercial users, to develop sensors off site and plug them in at MIT. 

MIT’s quantum ecosystem has already led to the creation of companies such as QuEra and Atlantic Quantum. The QSL will energize that ecosystem by accelerating work already underway through the Massachusetts AI Hub to deploy new AI tools, infrastructure and applications across sectors like health care, manufacturing and climatetech to create the companies and jobs of tomorrow. 

The project itself is projected to support 164 full-time on-site construction workers and up to 100 jobs through the supply chain and professional services necessary to support the project. Once up and running, QSL will house 220 permanent jobs. 

Additionally, QSL will deepen MIT’s collaboration with our public institutions. MIT and UMass Boston are already partnering on a multi-year National Science Foundation award on quantum to develop AI‑based algorithms for quantum sensing and system identification. The Institute intends to deepen this relationship by co‑advising theses on QSL‑relevant problems, hosting UMass Boston graduate students and postdocs as resident QSL users, and jointly pursuing follow‑on federal funding built around QSL capabilities. This type of relationship could be expanded to include other UMass campuses and higher education institutions. 

State funding for the project will be drawn from the Commonwealth Federal Match and Debt Reduction Fund, which draws on interest earned from the state’s Stabilization’s Fund. The state contribution matches a portion of the federal funding for quantum research already underway at MIT, combining with funds already committed by MIT and private philanthropy. 

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