Northwestern joins expanded Midwest Quantum Collaboratory
University brings broad expertise in quantum materials, sensing, communications and computing to growing regional partnership
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern University has joined the Midwest Quantum Collaboratory (MQC), a growing alliance of leading research universities working to advance quantum science, education, workforce development and technology translation across the region.
Northwestern is among five universities joining the collaborators, along with Indiana University, Washington University in St. Louis, The Ohio State University and the University of Illinois Chicago. Their addition expands MQC from three founding institutions—Purdue University, the University of Michigan and Michigan State University—to eight member universities.
Northwestern’s participation will be coordinated through the University’s Institute for Quantum Information Research and Engineering (INQUIRE), which brings together researchers across chemistry, physics, materials science, electrical engineering, computer science and industrial engineering. Northwestern also contributes extensive collaborations with Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, connecting fundamental discoveries with the infrastructure and expertise needed to develop scalable quantum technologies.
“INQUIRE’s distinctive strength lies in connecting quantum innovation across scales—from molecules and advanced materials to superconducting devices, quantum communications, computing architectures and systems software, “ said Michael Wasielewski, the Clare Hamilton Hall Professor of Chemistry at Northwestern and director of the Institute for Quantum Information Research and Engineering (INQUIRE) and the Center for Molecular Quantum Transduction (CMQT). “By combining expertise from across Northwestern with world-class characterization capabilities and collaborations at Argonne and Fermilab, we can move quantum discoveries more rapidly toward scalable technologies. Northwestern is proud to join the Midwest Quantum Collaboratory and contribute to a regional partnership that will expand the reach and impact of quantum research.”
Expanding regional collaboration
The expanded collaboratory creates new opportunities for researchers and students at Northwestern and its partner institutions to share expertise and research infrastructure, pursue coordinated initiatives and strengthen connections with industry and government. By bringing together complementary capabilities across eight universities, MQC aims to help position the Midwest as a leading quantum ecosystem and increase the region’s competitiveness for major national initiatives.
"Welcoming Indiana University, WashU, Ohio State, UIC, and Northwestern marks an important milestone for the Midwest Quantum Collaboratory," said Mackillo Kira, Director of MQC and professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan. "Growing from three founding institutions to eight member universities strengthens MQC’s ability to connect regional expertise, share research infrastructure, develop quantum talent, and build the partnerships needed to position the Midwest as a national leader in quantum science and engineering."
The expansion was highlighted during Entanglement 2026, MQC’s fifth annual meeting, held July 21–22 at Purdue University. More than 300 researchers, students, university leaders, industry representatives and government partners attended the two-day gathering.
Presentations showcased quantum research, education and workforce-development programs across the member universities, while technical talks highlighted advances by academic, industry and government researchers. Breakout sessions gave participants opportunities to identify shared priorities, explore potential collaborations and consider how the region can more effectively translate its collective strengths into scientific and technological progress.
"The Entanglement meeting has become an important forum for bringing together the researchers, students, industry partners, and government stakeholders who are shaping the future of quantum science in the Midwest," said Michael Manfra, Purdue’s Chief Quantum Officer and Director of the Purdue Quantum Science and Engineering Institute. "The meeting helps turn regional strength into coordinated action by creating space for new collaborations, shared priorities, and the partnerships needed to move quantum technologies forward."
Developing a highly skilled quantum workforce was a central theme of the meeting. The program included a main-stage presentation from the MQC Student Taskforce on student-led initiatives, as well as two poster sessions that gave students and postdoctoral researchers from across the Midwest opportunities to present their work to academic and industry leaders.
About the Midwest Quantum Collaboratory
The Midwest Quantum Collaboratory is a coalition of eight research universities—Northwestern University, Purdue University, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Indiana University, Washington University in St. Louis, The Ohio State University and the University of Illinois Chicago—dedicated to advancing quantum science and technology. MQC connects regional experts to address major challenges in the quantum field, share research infrastructure, accelerate innovation and help prepare the future quantum workforce.
About INQUIRE
Northwestern University’s Institute for Quantum Information Research and Engineering advances quantum information science and engineering through interdisciplinary research, education and strategic partnerships. Its mission is to develop the scientific and engineering foundations for scalable quantum technologies that can transform how society senses, processes and exchanges information.
INQUIRE connects Northwestern faculty across chemistry, physics, materials science, electrical engineering, computer science and industrial engineering. Its researchers contribute to major federally supported efforts, including the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center and the Center for Molecular Quantum Transduction, and collaborate extensively with Argonne and Fermilab.
The institute’s research spans quantum materials and devices, sensing, communications networks, computing architectures and systems software—creating end-to-end capabilities for moving quantum discoveries toward practical applications.