The US National Science Foundation (NSF) is investing up to $100 million to establish the National Quantum and Nanotechnology Infrastructure (NQNI) program, a nationwide network of open-access quantum research facilities designed to support advanced fabrication, characterization, and workforce training.
Through the new NQNI program, NSF will support up to 16 sites over five years. These facilities will provide students, academic researchers, startups, and industry partners with access to state-of-the-art tools and technical expertise. The NSF quantum infrastructure program is structured to operate as a shared national resource, serving regional innovation ecosystems that include community colleges and small businesses.
According to NSF, the NQNI program will accelerate research and development in quantum information science and engineering, nanotechnology, semiconductors, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing. By formalizing access to quantum research facilities across the country, NSF aims to reduce barriers to entry for institutions and companies that lack in-house cleanroom and nanoscale fabrication capabilities.
“This NSF investment in research facilities will power US discovery in quantum and nanotechnologies to fuel our economy,” said Don Millard, head of the engineering directorate at NSF. “With facilities open to students, faculty, and small businesses, [the NQNI program] will enable transformative ideas to be explored, scaled, and translated.”
How the NQNI program builds on existing NSF quantum infrastructure programs
NSF has invested in nanotechnology infrastructure for nearly 50 years, most recently through the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure program, which operated from 2015 to 2025. The NQNI program expands that model by integrating quantum capabilities directly into the shared-use system.
Under the NSF quantum infrastructure program, selected sites will offer fabrication and characterization services aligned with emerging quantum and nanoscale research needs. The networked structure allows quantum research facilities to share best practices, coordinate training programs, and support cross-institution collaboration. For laboratory leaders, the NQNI program represents a continuation of NSF’s emphasis on centralized, open-access infrastructure as a mechanism for accelerating discovery.
What the new quantum research facilities mean for laboratories
For laboratory directors and research administrators, the NQNI program may provide an alternative to large capital investments in specialized equipment. Access to regional quantum research facilities can allow laboratories to prototype devices, test materials, and conduct nanoscale characterization without bearing the full lifecycle costs of ownership.
Because the NSF quantum infrastructure program emphasizes workforce development, laboratories may also benefit from technician training pipelines and student engagement initiatives linked to these facilities. Community colleges and small businesses are explicitly included in the access model, expanding participation beyond traditional research-intensive universities.
Letters of Intent are required and due March 16, 2026, for institutions seeking to host a site under the NQNI program.
This article was created with the assistance of Generative AI and has undergone editorial review before publishing.
