Quantum World Congress Announces the University of Maryland as 2026 Lead Academic Partner

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Quantum World Congress today announced the University of Maryland as the 2026 Lead Academic Partner for Quantum World Congress, taking place September 23–25, 2026 at The Hotel at the University of Maryland in College Park.

The partnership reflects both UMD’s longstanding leadership in quantum science and technology and Quantum World Congress’ move into the heart of Maryland’s rapidly expanding quantum ecosystem. Anchored by the University of Maryland, College Park has become a national center of gravity for quantum research, commercialization, workforce development, public-private partnership, and real-world deployment.

University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines has been a longtime champion of Quantum World Congress and a leading voice in advancing Maryland’s role as the Capital of Quantum. At Quantum World Congress 2025, Pines delivered a keynote outlining how UMD and its partners are turning decades of foundational research into practical quantum impact across computing, networking, materials, national security, life sciences, and workforce development.

“Quantum World Congress was created to connect the people and institutions moving quantum from promise to practice,” said George Thomas, CEO of Connected DMV. “There is no better place to host that conversation in 2026 than College Park, and no better academic partner than the University of Maryland. UMD has spent decades building the research strength, talent pipeline, industry partnerships, and regional momentum that this field needs now. President Pines has been one of the clearest and most consistent champions of that vision, and we are proud to recognize UMD as our Lead Academic Partner as Quantum World Congress comes to College Park.”

UMD is home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of quantum scientists and engineers, with more than 350 researchers advancing quantum computing, cryptography, materials, networking, sensing, and related disciplines. Its quantum enterprise includes the Joint Quantum Institute and the Joint Center for Quantum Information and Computer Science, both established through partnerships with the National Institute of Standards and Technology; the NSF-funded Institute for Robust Quantum Simulation and Center for Quantum Networks; the Quantum Startup Foundry; the National Quantum Laboratory (QLab) at Maryland; and a broad array of other major research and innovation assets.

"We are tremendously excited and proud to welcome the global quantum community to the Capital of Quantum," said University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines. "We have spent decades advancing the science that is now driving one of the world's most dynamic quantum ecosystems. The Quantum World Congress is bringing together the world's leading minds to accelerate discovery, inspire the next generation of talent, and forge the partnerships that will shape the emerging quantum economy. There is no better place to host the Quantum World Congress than College Park: we aren't just discussing the future of quantum innovation here, we are actively constructing it."

The announcement comes during a period of major quantum momentum for Maryland and the Greater Washington region. In 2025, Governor Wes Moore launched the $1 billion Capital of Quantum initiative, anchored by UMD, to accelerate quantum research, commercialization, infrastructure, and workforce development. Later that year, DARPA and the State of Maryland announced the Capital Quantum Benchmarking Hub, based at UMD’s Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security in Discovery District Maryland, to test and evaluate quantum computing systems for national security and commercial applications.

Discovery District Maryland, located just steps from UMD’s main campus, has also become a growing home for quantum industry. Quantum computing firm IonQ, born from UMD research, is headquartered there, and the QLab provides researchers, students, startups, and partners with access to commercial quantum systems. Microsoft has also announced plans for a major new quantum research lab in Discovery District Maryland, further strengthening the region’s position as a hub for quantum innovation.

For Quantum World Congress, the move to College Park is both practical and symbolic. The 2026 event will bring global quantum leaders directly into the ecosystem where research institutions, federal partners, startups, established companies, investors, policymakers, and workforce pipelines are already converging.

“Quantum World Congress has always been about more than showcasing technology,” Thomas added. “It is about building the partnerships, markets, policies, and talent systems that allow quantum technologies to make real impact. UMD and College Park represent exactly that kind of ecosystem: world-class science, public-sector leadership, commercial momentum, and a deep commitment to preparing the next generation.”

Quantum World Congress 2026 will convene leaders across industry, government, academia, finance, national security, workforce, and economic development for three days of keynotes, panels, international programming, startup engagement, policy conversations, technology demonstrations, and partnership-building.

As Lead Academic Partner, the University of Maryland will help shape QWC 2026’s academic and research presence, connect global attendees with Maryland’s quantum ecosystem, and highlight the role of universities in translating quantum discovery into economic growth, public benefit, and real-world deployment.

Registration for Quantum World Congress 2026 is open now. Secure your seat at quantumworldcongress.com.