University of New Mexico UNM
The University of New Mexico (UNM), in tandem with Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), is executing a comprehensive roadmap to establish New Mexico as the national leader in Quantum Information Science (QIS). A powerful ecosystem of workforce development, industrial innovation, and research is the purpose of this collaboration. Beginning early 2024, it accelerated.
By 2026, the state leads the “second quantum revolution,” rather than just playing a role. “Where discovery moves at the speed of imagination” is how Ellen Fisher, the vice president for research at UNM, characterizes this period. Fisher claims that UNM is committed to serving as a “catalyst for breakthrough innovation,” creating a setting where scientists, business executives, and the upcoming generation of “quantum pioneers” work together to transform the world of technology.
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The Foundation: Quantum New Mexico Institute (QNM-I)
This statewide strategy is anchored by the Quantum New Mexico Institute (QNM-I), founded in January 2024. One of UNM’s top interdisciplinary research institutions, QNM-I bridges theory and practice. The Institute acts as a focal point for boosting innovation and bolstering the local workforce by bringing together the technical know-how of national laboratories, the intellectual resources of universities, and the flexibility of the private sector.
The creation of QNM-I was the result of decades of preparatory work and was not an overnight success. For almost 30 years, UNM physicists have been global leaders in QIS, most notably Professors Carlton Caves and Ivan Deutsch. Many of the individuals currently leading the field globally were trained by them, and their early contributions helped establish the university’s reputation. The Institute’s founding director, Professor Deutsch, says the state’s history is crucial to the “technology of tomorrow” and that New Mexico will be in the “national spotlight” for its advanced engineering endeavors.
Defining the Frontier: What is QIS?
Quantum information technology may appear like science fiction to those who are unfamiliar with it, yet its future ramifications are tangible. The study of “complex interactions of quantum physics that harness the strange behavior of matter and energy at the smallest atomic scales” is what QNM-I Director Bob Ledoux and Associate Vice President for Research Dave Hanson of UNM define as QIS. Three main areas quantum communication, quantum sensing, and computation are undergoing revolutions with these unusual characteristics, which are frequently paradoxical when contrasted to classical physics.
According to Hanson, QIS was written off as “something only in movies” by a large number of economic development authorities only four years ago. Nonetheless, New Mexico was able to change course more quickly than its rivals with its “inside knowledge” of the science. These same ideas now form the foundation of a new sector of the economy that has the potential to revolutionize everything from global communications and healthcare to sophisticated quantum computing and national security.
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A Multimillion-Dollar Investment Ecosystem
This plan is powered by a huge financial engine. Elevate Quantum, the only recognized quantum tech hub in the US, was established in 2024 in large part with the establishment of QNM-I. With assistance from the U.S. Economic Development Agency, this designation resulted in a $127 million federal and state investment.
The momentum persisted into 2025, when the QNM-I innovation ecosystem received an extra $25 million from the State of New Mexico Economic Development Department. Additional funds of $20 million was added to this, consisting of $4 million from the National Quantum Virtual Laboratory and $16 million in supported grants.
This capital is being used right now. Currently, UNM provides 12 HB-2 Fellowships and support for 35 Ph.D. students, guaranteeing a consistent supply of professionals to support the expanding sector. A crucial collaboration with Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) is also part of the roadmap to expand workforce development beyond graduate-level research.
The Roadmap to 2029 and Beyond
Two key benchmarks for the state’s ongoing progress have been identified by Bob Ledoux, who was brought in to oversee QNM-I and create this statewide roadmap.
- Recruiting Elite Academic Talent: To supplement the current pool of specialists at UNM, SNL, and LANL, the state must keep luring top scholars.
- Attracting QIS-Engineering Firms: Attracting the private investment required for long-term sustainability requires a track record of attracting both well-established businesses and rapidly expanding startups.
Ledoux contends that although New Mexico has a “unmatched concentration of quantum talent,” which is supported by the program’s 25–30 year history, a physical, dedicated center is necessary to fully realize that promise. Modern classical and quantum computers would be housed at this proposed facility to facilitate application-specific research, hardware research and development, and practical workforce training.
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Winning Together: A Coordinated Advantage
New Mexico’s exceptional degree of institutional cooperation is one of its strongest points. According to Dave Hanson, partners from all over the world have come to New Mexico to observe how the state effectively works across sectors. “What they tell us is that they are amazed at how accessible everyone is and how well a collaborate across sectors and institutions,” Hanson added. He attributes the state’s success in large part to this “winning together” mentality.
But the competition is fierce. Additionally, several states are competing for federal funds from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the Department of Energy (DOE). New Mexico needs to make the most of its national lab funds in a way that no other state has yet to do to stay ahead.
The Imperative of Sustained Commitment
Quantum innovation is a marathon, not a sprint, according to UNM and QNM-I leadership. According to Ellen Fisher, “steady, long-term commitment” is necessary for quantum innovation, which “doesn’t evolve in short bursts.” The technical future may “arrive somewhere else” if consistent, dependable funding is not provided instead of the unpredictability of yearly re-competition.
To make these “generational investments” a long-term economic pillar, New Mexico is carrying out a three-year implementation plan as it looks to Fiscal Year 2029. New Mexico is putting itself in a position to not only take part in but also lead the quantum revolution with a foundation based on decades of research, a significant talent concentration, and a cohesive strategy.
The message is obvious for anyone interested in the state’s tech economy’s future: New Mexico has the foundation in place to define the technologies of the twenty-first century.
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