Montana State University’s QCORE Secures $31.5 Million AFRL Contract for Quantum Infrastructure

Summary

Montana State University’s Quantum Collaborative Research and Education (QCORE) facility secured a $31.5 million contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory to expand quantum infrastructure, including test beds for superconducting and photonic quantum computers, cryogenic labs, and secure network systems. The funding builds on a prior $26.7 million grant and aims to accelerate the transition of quantum prototypes into deployable hardware, fostering a regional discovery‑to‑deployment ecosystem that links academia with Montana’s photonics and materials industries. Over 50 faculty, staff, and students will benefit, positioning QCORE as a national hub for quantum sensor, device, and secure communications development while supporting workforce training and startup incubation.