Montana State University’s (MSU) Quantum Collaborative Research and Education facility, known as QCORE, has been awarded a $31.5 million contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The funding is directed toward advancing research in quantum applications and the development of specialized quantum materials, sensors, devices, and secure network systems. This latest contract builds upon a foundational $26.7 million grant awarded in 2023, positioning the Bozeman-based facility as a primary hub for transitioning quantum technologies from laboratory prototypes to deployable hardware solutions.
The contract will facilitate the expansion of QCORE’s networking test beds and support the integration of advanced quantum sensors and computing architectures. Current facility capabilities include test beds for superconducting and photonic quantum computing, utilizing hardware such as the Rigetti Novera 9-qubit QPU and ORCA PT Series photonic systems. The infrastructure also features specialized cryogenic facilities designed for high-precision testing of quantum components at the millikelvin temperatures necessary for operational stability. By establishing standardized testing protocols, QCORE aims to dramatically shorten the commercialization timeline for quantum networking and communication innovations.
Strategically, the project focuses on fostering a regional “discovery-to-deployment” ecosystem by linking academic research with Montana’s established photonics, vacuum technology, and materials industries. The initiative engages over 50 MSU faculty and staff across diverse disciplines, providing students with hands-on laboratory experience to prepare them for careers in government and industrial sectors. This workforce development mission is integrated with QCORE’s transition toward becoming a Montana Board of Regents-approved center, a move intended to provide the organizational structure and leadership necessary for long-term project execution and regional economic impact.
With this expansion, MSU becomes one of a select group of organizations globally to operate multiple types of quantum systems and a dedicated quantum network test bed on-premises. The development of this nationally unique infrastructure is expected to underpin future advancements in quantum particle research and secure communications, reinforcing the U.S. domestic supply chain for critical quantum components. The contract also supports the facility’s mission to act as a business incubator for startups, ensuring that research breakthroughs are effectively translated into hardware that meets the performance requirements of both national security and commercial markets.
Read the official announcement from Montana State University here.
January 22, 2026
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