TECHNOLOGY
State invests $3 million in UNM鈥檚 Quantum New Mexico Institute
Money is part of broader push to make New Mexico a quantum hub
New Mexico is deepening its commitment to quantum, pumping $3 million into the University of New Mexico as part of a broader effort to boost the industry.
Quantum technology is poised to become a multi-billion-dollar industry in the years to come, with computing as one of its most promising applications, offering processing power that far outpaces traditional digital computers. State officials have tried to leverage New Mexico鈥檚 laboratories and budding workforce of quantum scientists to capture a slice of that pie.
The $3 million going to UNM鈥檚 Quantum New Mexico Institute is part of the Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham administration鈥檚 effort to invest capital into quantum research, workforce development, infrastructure and commercialization. So far, the state has committed roughly $450 million.
The institute describes itself as a joint research entity with researchers from UNM鈥檚 College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering and Sandia National Laboratories. Last year, the state invested $25 million into the institute, according to its website.
Dr. Steve Goldstein, the first-year UNM president, said in a statement Monday that the partnership will 鈥渁llow us to build on the extraordinary work of UNM鈥檚 faculty and student researchers and will create lasting opportunities for our state: new companies, new careers and a workforce ready to carry this momentum forward.鈥�
鈥淣ew Mexico is home to remarkable quantum talent, and it is a privilege to help that talent flourish,鈥� Goldstein said.
The department said the investment will support UNM鈥檚 efforts to attract faculty, researchers and students, and expand outreach programs for educators and high school students. The money will also help commercialize quantum discoveries from the lab to markets through an entrepreneur-in-residence program, industry workshops, bootcamps and accelerator programs, officials said.
鈥淭he University of New Mexico is a leader in quantum research, and this partnership helps translate that leadership into new companies, good jobs for our families and lasting economic opportunity,鈥� New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Rob Black said.
Justin Horwath covers tech and energy for the Journal. You can reach him at jhorwath@abqjournal.com.
