Advancing the Capital of Quantum: UMD Hosts ARLIS Groundbreaking

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, leaders from industry, academia, research enterprises, and government convened in College Park’s Discovery District to break ground on the new 110,000-square-foot headquarters for the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS).

 

Held on World Quantum Day, University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines was joined by Governor Wes Moore and two members of the state's congressional delegation - U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer '63 and U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey - to celebrate Maryland’s leadership as the Capital of Quantum and the governor’s progress on his $1B “Capital of Quantum” initiative. 

 

“Quantum is changing the world, and Maryland is the best place in the world to change the world,” said Gov. Moore. “By investing in quantum and partnering with ARLIS , the State of Maryland is creating new opportunities for the student with the skills to succeed in this field, uplifting the family that now has access to good-paying work, and supporting the entrepreneurs who will solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges.”

 

“Yesterday's groundbreaking for ARLIS' new facility represents an important milestone for the University of Maryland and our state,” said UMD President Darryll J. Pines. “As we grow our footprint and expand our impact as the Capital of Quantum, we are incredibly grateful to Governor Wes Moore for his leadership and investment, which further strengthen Maryland's position as a global leader in quantum technologies.”

 

ARLIS brings together national security experts and specializes in the applications of advanced computing, emerging technologies, operational innovation, integrated human-machine interaction, and quantum science. In 2025, ARLIS launched the Maryland Institute for Quantum Applications (MIQA), investigating how technologies such as quantum computing, networking and sensing can lead to new strategic tools and systems designed to enhance national defense capabilities.  

 

MIQA builds on UMD’s long-standing expertise in applying quantum science and engineering to address society’s grand challenges, as well as ARLIS’s ongoing work to transition quantum technologies from research to solutions to national intelligence and security problems. 

 

The groundbreaking coincided with IQM, a global leader in superconducting quantum computers, announcing that they plan to launch their first U.S. Quantum Technology Center in UMD’s Discovery District—marking a new milestone in Maryland’s push to lead the world in quantum.

 

 

“This new facility reflects ARLIS’s ongoing commitment to its mission,” said John Beieler, Executive Director at ARLIS. “It strengthens our ability to bring together researchers, students, and mission partners in a secure, collaborative environment, while reinforcing the work already contributing to the Department of War and Intelligence Community.”

 

“Emerging technologies like quantum computing are key to the future of our economy and our national security. That’s why I’ve worked alongside Team Maryland to deliver $48 million in federal investments to support the University of Maryland’s ARLIS. The opening of this new ARLIS facility will build on the University of Maryland’s great national leadership in the field of quantum computing and advance new solutions to the ever-evolving security challenges our nation faces,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

 

“On World Quantum Day, it is fitting to talk about the strategic imperative of leading in quantum research for both economic growth and national security. At the University of Maryland, College Park, initiatives like the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS) are advancing real-world applications that strengthen our defense and intelligence capabilities. I thank Governor Wes Moore and University President Darryll J. Pines for helping make College Park the epicenter of Maryland’s capital of quantum innovation right here in the 4th Congressional District.  I am proud to be a part of this groundbreaking,” said Congressman Glenn Ivey, (MD-04).  

 

"It was an honor to attend the groundbreaking for the new ARLIS facility at the University of Maryland, a world class institution that continues to lead the way in quantum computing. I was glad to work with the Maryland Congressional Delegation to secure federal funding for advanced research infrastructure at UMD and am thrilled to see the expansion of these initiatives in quantum computing at my alma mater," said Congressman Hoyer. "The continued collaboration among the private sector, government, and our academic institutions is vital to strengthening our national security. I applaud the leadership of the Moore-Miller Administration to ensure Maryland remains at the forefront of innovation in science and technology. We will continue working together to provide investments in Maryland research to shape the future and meet the challenges of our increasingly complex world."

 

For more information on ARLIS, please visit https://www.arlis.umd.edu/