Illinois Tech Continues Partnership with Fermilab as Department of Energy Renews Quantum Center for Five Years, $125 Million

CHICAGO-February 3, 2026-The United States Department of Energy Office of Science has renewed the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center (SQMS), hosted by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, with $125 million over the next five years to accelerate breakthroughs in quantum information science. The total planned funding is $125 million over five years, with $25 million in the first year and future funding contingent on congressional appropriations. Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), an original partner in SQMS, will continue its partnership in this next phase.

SQMS, founded in 2020, is one of five DOE National Quantum Information Science Research Centers created under the National Quantum Initiative Act. The center is rooted in Fermilab's expertise in superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) cavities, materials and cryogenics-technologies originally developed for particle accelerators-and in the lab's mission to explore the universe at its most fundamental level. It unites more than 300 experts from 43 partner institutions across national laboratories, universities, and industry to advance the next generation of quantum computing, communication, and sensing technologies.

Professor of Physics John F. Zasadzinski, the Paul and Suzi Schutt Endowed Chair in Science, will continue to serve as Illinois Tech's principal investigator. As a part of his research, Zasadzinski will oversee fundamental experiments that will assist Fermilab in the development of superconducting quantum bits (qubits) that are the basic element of quantum computers and sensors. Such superconducting qubits are the technology of choice for major players in the field such as IBM, Google, and Rigetti Computing. His focus will be to increase the length of time that qubits and thus quantum computers can maintain coherence-a key question in the field of quantum science.

In partnership with Fermilab, Illinois Tech will be able to offer both undergraduate and graduate research opportunities at the SQMS Center. Two of Zasadzinski's graduate students during the first phase of SQMS, Bianca Giaccone and Daniel Bafia, are now staff scientists at Fermilab, in leadership positions in SQMS.

"While Illinois Tech's role in SQMS 2.0 is an extension of our existing partnership with Fermilab, this renewal represents a new chapter in our ability to offer our students a chance to help shape some of the most dynamic fields of science," says Zasadzinski. "As Chicago's tech university, we are thrilled to be able to bring these research opportunities to bear for our Illinois Tech students, so that they can truly be on the forefront of our nation's quantum computing efforts."

"Illinois Tech's partnership with Fermilab reflects our commitment to research that advances both scientific discovery and student opportunity," says Illinois Tech Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Elizabeth Hudson. "Through this renewed collaboration, our faculty and students will help drive breakthroughs in quantum information science and advance the frontiers of applied quantum research."

"This renewal underscores Illinois Tech's growing role in the nation's quantum research ecosystems," says Illinois Tech Vice Provost for Research Jeff Terry. "Working alongside Fermilab and other national partners, we're pushing the limits of quantum science and ushering in a new era of innovation."

"In just five years, SQMS has transformed fundamental understanding into tangible progress-from record-setting coherence times to new materials and devices that redefine what's possible in quantum technology," says Anna Grassellino, director of the SQMS Center. "This renewal allows us to build on that foundation and take the next leap: moving from discovery to deployment. Together with our partners across national labs, universities, and industry, we're poised to scale quantum systems to a level that will unlock powerful new tools for science, technology, and society."

The renewal of SQMS ties into Governor JB Pritzker's goal of making Illinois the leader in quantum information science in the U.S. Illinois hosts two of five National Quantum Institutes in the country, with the other being Q-Next, hosted at Argonne National Laboratory. Illinois Tech hosted a booth at the Quantum Symposium at Fermilab on December 3-5.

Read more about the renewal and the work that SQMS is undertaking online.

Photo: Illinois Tech Physics graduate students, (left to right, Seth Rice, Halle Helfrich, Maithilee Shinde) prepare for X-ray diffraction measurements of novel materials for superconducting qubits.

Illinois Institute of Technology

Based in the global metropolis of Chicago, Illinois Tech was born to liberate the power of collective difference to advance technology and innovation for all. It is the only tech-focused university in the city, and it stands at the crossroads of exploration and invention, advancing the future of Chicago and the world. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, computing, architecture, business, design, science and human sciences, and law. Illinois Tech students are guaranteed access to hands-on experiences, personalized mentorship, and job readiness through the university's one-of-a-kind Elevate program. Its graduates lead the state and much of the nation in economic prosperity. Its faculty and alumni built the Chicago skyline. And every day in the city's living lab, Illinois Tech fuels breakthroughs that change lives. Visit iit.edu.

Fermilab

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory is America's premier national laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research. Fermi Forward Discovery Group manages Fermilab for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science. Visit Fermilab's website at https://www.fnal.gov and follow us on social media.

Media contacts

Petra Kelly
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Illinois Institute of Technology
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Kevin Dollear
Communications Manager
Illinois Institute of Technology
Cell: 773.860.5712
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Hannah Brumbaugh (Adams)
Communications & Partnership Manager
Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center (SQMS)
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
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