New Mexico Adds DARPA Quantum Program to State Match Grant
New Mexico’s Technology and Innovation Office (TIO) has announced the inclusion of DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative Stage C in its list of federal programs eligible for state matching funds. This update, detailed in an August 28 press release from Economic Development New Mexico, stipulates that companies receiving the match must conduct their Stage C work within the state. This represents a modification to the scope of an existing grant program.
Details of the State’s Announcement
Specifically, the matching funds are available through the Targeted Federal Match grant, which is open to New Mexico public entities and businesses either registered or committed to registering in the state. Indeed, to qualify, applicants must be pursuing one of the priority federal programs listed on the TIO webpage.
The state relies on the federal funder’s review process to assess merit, which means TIO doesn’t conduct a separate technical evaluation. Applications are processed on a rolling basis as funding permits, with a target review period of 20 working days for complete submissions.
The announcement doesn’t specify a dollar amount for the match itself, nor does it name any recipients. New Mexico has stated it has invested over $450 million in quantum infrastructure and workforce. TIO has also added the Army Research Office and NSA Laboratory for Physical Sciences’ QuantumEAGLe initiative to the same priority list. QuantumEAGLe is currently seeking solicitations across areas such as supply chain, algorithms and error correction, and foundational research.
DARPA’s QBI aims for utility-scale quantum computing by 2033. QuantumEAGLe’s goal is to transition from noisy processors to fault-tolerant systems, a technology that currently does not exist.
Clarifying the Announcement
This development is an update to program eligibility. A company must first secure selection into DARPA’s or the NSA’s federal process before the state match becomes applicable. The language used in the announcement is promotional and originates from the state.
TIO Director Nora Meyers Sackett commented on the state’s position in the release:
“New Mexico is the next frontier for quantum technology, and we’re putting our money where our mouth is. We’re investing in the future and ensuring that the companies helping to build it can grow and scale right here.”
Full application details are available at edd.newmexico.gov/targeted-federal-match. Until specific awards are announced, this remains a policy adjustment that widens the range of federal quantum programs the state will co-fund.