COLLEGE PARK, Md., April 04, 2025 -- The University of Maryland’s Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS) announces the creation of a new center aimed at harnessing the potential of quantum technologies to advance national security over the next several decades. The Maryland Institute for Quantum Applications will investigate how technologies such as quantum computing, networking and sensing can lead to new strategic tools and systems designed to enhance national defense capabilities.

The Maryland Institute for Quantum Applications will leverage the expertise of the University of Maryland (UMD) and ARLIS to accelerate research and development in quantum science and engineering and build on ARLIS’s ongoing work in applying quantum technologies to national-level intelligence and security problems. The center’s launch comes on the heels of ARLIS securing nearly $25 million in quantum-related funding in recent months, as well as Gov. Wes Moore’s announcement in January to establish the “Capital of Quantum Initiative” – a landmark public-private partnership that will catalyze $1 billion in investments to position Maryland as a global leader in quantum information science and technology.

“The launch of this new center at ARLIS comes at the perfect time to accelerate our progress in establishing the worldwide 'Capital of Quantum' right here in Maryland, and it builds on the significant investments the university and state are making in quantum technologies,” said University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines. “Expanding the exceptional work already happening at ARLIS and leveraging the full breadth of UMD’s decades-long quantum expertise, we are uniquely positioned to bring quantum capabilities to the Department of Defense and beyond, ensuring that these transformative technologies meet the evolving needs of our national security.”

The institute will draw on ARLIS’s strengths in workforce development, such as the Research for Intelligence & Security Challenges (RISC) internship program, which pairs students with faculty mentors from universities and the defense and intelligence communities to work on real security and intelligence problems posed by the government. The Maryland Institute for Quantum Applications will also rely on ARLIS’s demonstrated success with testing and evaluating critical systems for defense and national security applications to support the U.S. government in assessing the efficacy of commercial quantum solutions to ensure these technologies meet national security standards.

“The launch of the Maryland Institute for Quantum Applications marks a significant step forward as ARLIS works to advance quantum understanding for national defense and security,” said ARLIS Executive Director John Beieler. “As we and our nation look to the next 30 years of quantum applications, this institute will help consolidate our existing quantum efforts, broaden the scale and scope of our work to support our government partners, and expand our recruiting effort as we grow our workforce to benefit the lab, our government partners, the university and state of Maryland.”

ARLIS will conduct a search for a director to lead the Maryland Institute for Quantum Applications in the coming months.