Washington – September 11, 2026 -- Quantinuum has finalized a $100 million funding agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce's CHIPS Research and Development Office, marking the first CHIPS for R&D award granted to a trapped-ion quantum computing architecture company.
Federal grant follows May letter of intent to fund quantum semiconductor manufacturing
The award, managed through the CHIPS and Science Act, finalizes a letter of intent announced in May 2026. The funding targets research, development and manufacturing capabilities for quantum semiconductors required to deploy fault-tolerant, large-scale trapped-ion quantum computers in the United States.
GlobalFoundries to manufacture next-generation ion traps on 300mm wafer technology
Quantinuum will partner with GlobalFoundries to fabricate its next-generation ion traps and control electronics, with a specific focus on 300mm wafer manufacturing technology. GlobalFoundries CEO Tim Breen said the partnership aims to build a path toward more scalable and reliable quantum hardware.
Monarch Quantum to build integrated photonic engines for trapped-ion systems
Separately, Monarch Quantum will develop and manufacture scalable, reliable lasers and optical components for Quantinuum's trapped-ion systems. Monarch Quantum CEO Dr. Timothy Day said the collaboration will shift the industry away from complex optical setups toward integrated photonic engines.
Quantinuum claims industry-leading two-qubit gate fidelity as of late 2025
Quantinuum, which builds on the established QCCD architecture, cites the highest physical two-qubit gate fidelity in the industry as of December 31, 2025, according to a 2025 study by Ransford et al., and leading error-correction fidelity as of February 25, 2026, per a 2026 study by Dasu et al.
Quantinuum CEO Dr. Rajeeb Hazra said the award validates the company's leadership in trapped-ion quantum computing and supports building the technology and supply-chain base needed to scale fault-tolerant systems. The company employs approximately 800 people globally, with headquarters in Broomfield, Colorado, and facilities in the U.S., U.K., Germany, Japan, Qatar and Singapore.