Governor Hochul Announces $300 Million Investment in SUNY at Stony Brook’s Quantum Research and Innovation Hub

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $300 million to establish the Quantum Research and Innovation Hub at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, further catapulting New York's national leadership in groundbreaking research that saves lives, grows the economy and improves national security.

"At a time when national investment in research and innovation is at risk, New York State is doubling down and SUNY is on the move," Governor Hochul said. "The State University of New York at Stony Brook is a research powerhouse and will now be able to reach new heights in quantum. We know that to provide our state and nation with a brighter future, we need to invest today, and that is what New York is committed to do."

Reversing years of disinvestment, since Governor Hochul took office in 2021, the State University of New York at Stony Brook has received $73 million in additional Direct State Tax Support operating aid and $969 million in additional State capital commitments (including the $300 million for the Quantum Research and Innovation Hub). In addition to increased operating aid, Stony Brook has also received $12 million to support new full-time faculty, $8 million to fully close the "TAP gap," and access to the State's $500 million endowment match. The latter provides a $1.00 in Direct State Tax Support for every $2.00 raised by philanthropic activity at the University Centers.

The $300 million Quantum Research and Innovation Hub will be New York's premier facility dedicated to leading-edge research and education in quantum science and technology, with a particular focus on quantum communication and networking. Building on the State University of New York at Stony Brook's current leadership in this area, the hub positions the State University of New York at Stony Brook to become one of the premier global centers for Quantum Information Science and Technology, ensuring that the United States leads the world in this critical technology area.

As part of this funding commitment, over the course of the current semester, the State University of New York at Stony Brook will engage in a rebranding to more fully align to the SUNY name and logo in order to consistently demonstrate and amplify SUNY's leadership on research and in recognition of the campus's role in New York State's public higher education system. SUNY will work with each University Center on their own similar branding process.

"The State University of New York at Stony Brook is a research powerhouse and will now be able to reach new heights in quantum."

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, "The State University of New York at Stony Brook is leading the way on cutting-edge research and emerging technologies, and this historic investment will accelerate efforts to ensure New York State is a global leader for generations to come. SUNY is committed to achieving Governor Hochul's goal to double research expenditures for the sake of our students and our state."

SUNY Board of Trustees said, "By investing in research and innovation today, and committing to stand by our researchers as they move our state forward, SUNY is positioning New York to be a global leader in a variety of new technologies. This investment is possible thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul and state leaders who have been steadfast supporters of the SUNY system and the hundreds of thousands of students, faculty, and staff that call our institutions home. SUNY will continue to lead the way on research and innovation in New York State, and we congratulate the State University of New York at Stony Brook on their landmark Quantum Research and Innovation Hub."

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "ESD was proud to support the Long Island Quantum Internet Test Bed at Stony Brook, laying the foundation for New York's leadership in this transformative field. The creation of the Quantum Research and Innovation Hub marks the next step in expanding research capacity, cultivating top talent, and advancing breakthroughs that will drive economic growth and cement New York's position as a global leader in quantum technology."

State University of New York at Stony Brook President Andrea Goldsmith said, "Stony Brook is proud to have built the largest quantum network in the United States. Through such transformative research, in partnership with New York State and SUNY, we are accelerating technology advancement and its positive impact across our state and beyond. The Quantum Research and Innovation Hub will spearhead the future of quantum computing and networking. We are grateful to Governor Hochul, Chancellor King, and SUNY for placing their trust in Stony Brook with this historic investment that further advances our leadership in quantum science and technology, and showcases the bold ground-breaking research across our campus that delivers solutions to society's most pressing challenges."

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, "The State Legislature is committed to ensuring that New York's public higher education system has the resources to thrive. This $300 million investment to establish the Quantum Research and Innovation Hub at Stony Brook reaffirms our dedication to making New York a leader in discovery and innovation. Supporting world-class research in quantum science and technology will fuel breakthroughs that grow our economy and prepare the next generation of students for the jobs of the future. This investment reflects our belief that public education should drive opportunity and excellence for all New Yorkers."

Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie said, "As a proud alumnus of Stony Brook University and a staunch supporter of the public education system in New York State, continued investment in our educational institutions are tantamount for the future success of the next generation. Our research universities have become the driving force behind technological and scientific advancements. As our SUNY system continues to expand, bridging the educational gap and fostering innovation, we must persist in making these investments that solidify New York and SUNY campuses as premier educational institutions. I want to express my gratitude to the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul and the tireless advocacy of my many colleagues in government."

State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said, "This $300 million investment at Stony Brook signals New York's clear commitment to research that changes lives and strengthens our security. Quantum communication and networking will define the next era of discovery, from protecting data to advancing medicine and advanced manufacturing. This hub will keep talent in New York, attract world-class partners, and create good jobs from Queens to Long Island. I applaud Governor Hochul and SUNY for their leadership and look forward to seeing Stony Brook's students and faculty help lead the nation in this critical field."

State Senator Kristen Gonzalez said, "The new Quantum Research and Innovation Hub at the State University of New York at Stony Brook further cements New York's intent to lead in technological innovation and new world learning. I'm so proud of our state legislature's $300 Million investment in this project, and I look forward to the research that comes out of this hub."

State Senator Monica Martinez said, "This investment will give Long Island the bandwidth to be at the forefront of the next era of science and innovation. The future Quantum Research and Innovation Hub at Stony Brook will build the infrastructure necessary to expand human understanding and drive the discoveries of tomorrow, creating new economic opportunities that strengthen our region and position New York to lead."

Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman said, "Governor Hochul's announcement of a $300 million investment in the Quantum Research and Innovation Hub at Stony Brook University is a great leap forward for New York's research excellence. This funding will establish a first-rate facility dedicated to cutting edge research and education in quantum science and technology, establishing Stony Brook's position as a global leader and fueling innovation that will save lives, grow the economy, and improve national security. This investment will contribute to SUNY's reputation as a leader in the science and technology fields."

Assemblymember Rebecca Kassay said, "This $300 million investment in SUNY Stony Brook's Quantum Research and Innovation Hub marks a transformative step forward for Long Island's leadership in research and technology, and I thank Governor Hochul for her confidence in and commitment to the pioneers in quantum advancements at SUNY Stony Brook. As the district's representative in the New York State Assembly, I look forward to continuing this work alongside state leadership and SUNY to secure additional resources that strengthen our region's role in shaping the future of science and education, as well as keeping our nation on the forefront of globally-competitive technological advancements in quantum research and innovation."

Assemblymember Tommy John Schiavoni said, "Stony Brook University has long been a cornerstone of innovation on Long Island, and this investment ensures that it will remain at the forefront of discovery for generations to come. The creation of the Quantum Research and Innovation Hub will not only strengthen New York's leadership in cutting edge science but will also inspire new opportunities for students, researchers, and our local economy. I commend Governor Hochul for her commitment to higher education and to advancing research that will shape the future."

Governor Hochul has announced more than $1.34 billion over the last three years in State and matching private sector funding commitments for cutting-edge research by New York's leading higher education institutions. These resources include support for the Empire AI research center for the public good - which is housed at the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) and includes leading public and private universities from across the state - as well as research investments through SUNY's annual capital appropriations.

As the largest comprehensive public institution of higher education in the nation, and thanks to the steadfast support of Governor Hochul and state leaders, the SUNY system is a hub of innovation, discovery, and real-world impact. With groundbreaking research taking place at campuses throughout the state, SUNY is making progress toward achieving technological breakthroughs that will help shape the future of New York and the United States.

About the State University of New York at Stony Brook
The State University of New York at Stony Brook is New York's flagship university and No. 1 public university. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. With more than 26,000 students, more than 3,000 faculty members, more than 225,000 alumni, a premier academic healthcare system and 18 NCAA Division I athletic programs, Stony Brook is a research-intensive distinguished center of innovation dedicated to addressing the world's biggest challenges. The university embraces its mission to provide comprehensive undergraduate, graduate and professional education of the highest quality, and is ranked as the #58 overall university and #26 among public universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges listing.

Fostering a commitment to academic research and intellectual endeavors, Stony Brook's membership in the Association of American Universities (AAU) places it among the top 71 research institutions in North America. The university's distinguished faculty have earned esteemed awards such as the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, Indianapolis Prize for animal conservation, Abel Prize, Fields Medal and Breakthrough Prizes in Mathematics and Physics. Stony Brook has the responsibility of co-managing Brookhaven National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy - one of only eight universities with a role in running a national laboratory. In 2023, Stony Brook was named the anchor institution for The New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island in New York City. Providing economic growth for neighboring communities and the wider geographic region, the university totals an impressive $8.93 billion in increased economic output on Long Island.

About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY's 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country's oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, and manages one U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.16 billion in fiscal year 2024, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.

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