New York City and New York University (NYU) will build QFab, a quantum technology fabrication and testing facility, in Manhattan. The city will invest about $29 million and NYU $255 million, with the facility opening in early 2030. The city will hold a stake that entitles it to a share of revenue from technology developed at the facility.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced plans on Oct. 14 for QFab, a joint NYU and City University of New York (CUNY) quantum fabrication facility, at NYU's 770 Broadway in Manhattan. The city's Economic Development Corporation (EDC) will provide about $29 million in capital funding, and NYU will contribute a total of $255 million over the next 10 years, consisting of $100 million in capital costs and $155 million in operating costs. The facility is scheduled to open in early 2030.
QFab will cover about 23,000 square feet and serve as a space for fabricating and testing quantum devices, equipped with cleanrooms, cryogenic equipment and deep ultraviolet lithography tools. CUNY students will also be able to use the facility. Juan de Pablo, dean of the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, said more than 3,000 CUNY students will initially be eligible, and that the goal is to later expand access to all of CUNY.
A notable feature of the agreement is that the city will hold a stake. The city will receive 15% of the revenue NYU's central administration earns from technology developed with equipment purchased through city funding, and will hold three seats on QFab's management advisory board. Mayor Mamdani projected that the global quantum industry will grow to $2.7 trillion by 2035, and said this is a way for New York City to share in that growth.
Job and education plans were announced as well. NYU President Linda Mills said about 2,000 new permanent jobs will be created. Dean de Pablo said the "Bridge to Quantum Certificate" program will train more than 5,000 New Yorkers and connect them to about 1,900 high-paying jobs. Deputy Mayor Julie Su said NYU will hire 35 new faculty members and postdoctoral researchers over 10 years.