New State Budget Funds Quantum, Health Research, Capital Projects, Other UMD Priorities

Gov. Wes Moore and the Maryland General Assembly continue to invest in state higher education and the University of Maryland, recently passing a budget that focuses on cutting-edge sectors that could supercharge economic development.

Despite making a series of cuts necessary to balance the fiscal 2027 budget, state leaders funded multiple capital projects totalling $123.1 million to extend UMD's leadership in quantum science, health research, engineering and other areas:

• $77 million for the Health and Human Sciences Complex, the future campus home for the School of Public Health and the Academy for Innovation and Entrepreneurship;
• $13.1 million to complete Stanley R. Zupnik Hall, an interdisciplinary engineering building opening this fall; 
• $28 million to maintain and improve athletic facilities; and
• $5 million for new graduate student housing. 

The state also committed $54 million in quantum-related investments, including to IonQ, a leading quantum computing hardware and software company planning a new headquarters construction project in College Park. These funds will also help expand space for quantum companies in UMD’s Discovery District and attract talent and support new testbeds for the $1 billion Capital of Quantum Initiative.

Next year’s operating budget also includes $550,000 to support University of Maryland programs:

• $100,000 for the Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability, administered by UMD’s National Center for Smart Growth, to help Maryland communities become more environmentally, economically and socially sustainable; 
• $250,000 for the Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. Center for Education, Justice and Ethics,  a community gathering place, research hub and legal center in Baltimore; and 
• $200,000 for the TerpsEXCEED Program, which gives students with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to have a two-year college experience. 

Initiatives in the city of College Park that are of interest to the university also received state funding, including $200,000 for the College Park City-University Partnership’s Live + Work Program, which provides down payment assistance for individuals employed in the city and buying a home there. Aviation Landing, a planned mixed-use development on Prince George’s County-owned land near the College Park Airport and led by UMD’s Terrapin Development Corp. and two private partners, was awarded $2.5 million in state funds.