Washington – September 11, 2026 -- Quantinuum has finalized a $100 million federal funding agreement with the US Department of Commerce's CHIPS Research and Development Office, becoming the only trapped-ion quantum computing company to receive funds under the CHIPS and Science Act's R&D program.
Federal Award Targets Domestic Quantum Chip Manufacturing
The agreement, which follows a letter of intent announced in May, funds research, development and manufacturing capacity for quantum semiconductors needed to scale fault-tolerant, trapped-ion quantum computers within the United States. Quantinuum applies established semiconductor fabrication techniques to improve the reliability, repeatability and scalability of its current and future quantum systems.
GlobalFoundries to Fabricate Next-Generation Ion Traps
GlobalFoundries will join Quantinuum's roster of semiconductor manufacturers, producing next-generation ion traps and other electronic components with a focus on 300mm wafer technology. GlobalFoundries CEO Tim Breen said the company's high-volume differentiated semiconductor manufacturing expertise will help pave the way for more scalable and reliable quantum hardware.
Monarch Quantum to Supply Lasers and Optical Components
Monarch Quantum will develop and manufacture scalable, reliable lasers and optical components required for Quantinuum's trapped-ion systems. Monarch Quantum CEO Dr. Timothy Day said the shift from complex, large-scale optical setups to integrated photonic modules is critical to scaling large trapped-ion quantum computers and strengthening US supply chain resilience in quantum manufacturing.
Quantinuum CEO Frames Funding as Validation of Ion-Trap Leadership
Quantinuum President and CEO Dr. Rajeeb Hazra said the funding confirms the company's leading position in trapped-ion quantum computing and builds the technological and supply-chain foundation needed to scale fault-tolerant systems while reinforcing US leadership in the field.
The R&D efforts aim to reduce system complexity while improving component robustness, reliability and reproducibility, supporting further scaling of trapped-ion quantum computers and strengthening domestic capacity in critical photonics and semiconductor manufacturing.