New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the launch of a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) to establish up to four Regional Quantum Technology Commercialization Hubs across the state. Funded with $60 million allocated in the FY 2027 state budget and administered by Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), the program will grant up to $15 million to each selected regional anchor to accelerate the commercialization of quantum computing, sensing, and secure communications research.
The initiative expands upon New York’s $300 million investment in the Quantum Research and Innovation Hub at SUNY Stony Brook, establishing an integrated statewide ecosystem connecting academic laboratories, early-stage startups, and corporate partners.
[ NYSTAR Statewide Quantum Commercialization Network ]
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Physical Hub Infrastructure Startup Incubation & Support Industry Pilot Execution
• Lab & Specialty Testing Space. • Dedicated Quantum Accelerators. • Corporate Co-Development.
• Device & Materials Fabrication. • Investor & Mentor Matchmaking. • Field Demonstrations & Pilots.
• HPC & Quantum Hardware Access. • Shared Instrumentation & Tools. • IP Management & Licensing.Program specifications and operational mandates outlined in the Empire State Development RFP include:
- Grant Funding Allocation: Up to four non-profit or academic-led regional hubs (one per Regional Economic Development Council region) will each receive approximately $15 million for facility construction, laboratory expansion, and specialized machinery acquisition.
- Core Technological Scope: Each hub will maintain a primary specialization in a core domain—such as quantum processing, quantum sensing, or quantum networking—while offering shared open access to non-affiliated regional startups and researchers.
- Specialized Infrastructure Requirements: Facilities must provide access to advanced tools, including prototyping platforms, High-Performance Computing (HPC) simulation environments, cleanroom materials fabrication, and specialized testbeds.
- Key RFP Milestones: Empire State Development will host an applicant information session on August 21, 2026 (RSVP due August 18, 2026). Written questions close on August 28, 2026, and formal proposal submissions close on October 14, 2026.
Review the official press release on the New York Governor’s Office here, and download RFP specifications via Empire State Development here.
August 12, 2026
