BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — Florida Atlantic University is set to become the first university in Florida to publicly host a large, dedicated quantum computer on campus, a move that builds on Boca Raton’s recent success in landing D-Wave Quantum’s headquarters and research operations as part of a broader economic development effort.
FAU announced it has signed an agreement with D-Wave Quantum Inc. to acquire and install an Advantage2 annealing quantum computer on its Boca Raton campus later this year. University officials said the system will support research, hands-on student training, and applied work in areas such as logistics, transportation, finance, and materials discovery.
The announcement follows Boca Raton’s earlier deal to bring D-Wave’s corporate headquarters and U.S. research and development hub to the Boca Raton Innovation Center, a project negotiated under the city’s Project Vernon initiative. Boca Post previously reported that the agreement included a $20 million partnership with Florida Atlantic University and $500,000 in city incentives tied to job creation and technology development.
FAU leaders framed the on-campus quantum computer as a direct extension of that effort, positioning the university as a central anchor in Boca Raton’s growing quantum technology ecosystem rather than a passive beneficiary of nearby private investment.
“This milestone marks a transformative moment for Florida Atlantic University and for the state of Florida,” said Piero Bussani, chair of the FAU Board of Trustees. Bussani said hosting one of the most advanced quantum computers on a university campus accelerates research while preparing students to lead in emerging technology fields, and places FAU at the center of collaboration between academia and industry.
D-Wave separately announced that its new corporate headquarters will be located at the Boca Raton Innovation Center, where it plans to expand quantum computing development and government-focused research. The company described the Boca site as a key U.S. hub for advancing quantum technologies.
“This is an exciting ‘quantum’ leap for Florida Atlantic University as we strengthen our position as a hub of innovation in Florida and beyond,” said FAU President Adam Hasner. Hasner said FAU’s status as an R1 research university and its proximity to industry partners position it to leverage the system for research and instruction tied to complex, real-world problems.
FAU said the partnership with D-Wave will include academic research, workforce training, joint initiatives, and applied innovation using the Advantage2 system that will be housed directly on campus. Alan Levine, chair of the Florida State University System’s Board of Governors, called the partnership a reflection of FAU’s strategy to cultivate long-term industry relationships that support statewide competitiveness.
The university also plans to host joint ideation workshops and hackathons with D-Wave, focused on real-world use cases including public works, supply chains, transportation systems, and emergency management — areas where optimization and advanced modeling can have immediate public impact.
“Spearheaded by our Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and College of Engineering and Computer Science, our quantum computing system will serve as a powerful tool for tackling complex scientific and engineering challenges,” said Gregg Fields, FAU vice president for research. Fields said direct access to the hardware allows faster experimentation, deeper collaboration, and hands-on experience for students and engineers.
FAU described the Advantage2 system as a sixth-generation quantum annealing computer with more than 4,400 qubits, designed to solve optimization and simulation problems that are difficult or impractical for classical computers. The university said applications include resource scheduling, logistics optimization, materials discovery, and artificial intelligence workflows.
“This marks a defining moment for FAU and D-Wave,” said Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave. Baratz said placing a D-Wave system at FAU establishes the university as a center for quantum computing education and research while expanding real-world experimentation through academic collaboration.
State leaders tied the expansion to broader economic and security goals. Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly said the investment positions Florida and FAU at the forefront of next-generation computing, with potential benefits for workforce development, national defense, data security, life sciences research, and transportation and logistics systems.
FAU said an onsite quantum system also strengthens its ability to compete for federal funding, supports secure research environments, and signals to startups and private industry that Boca Raton is committed to emerging technologies. The university said that local control over advanced computing infrastructure allows it to shape future innovation rather than rely solely on remote systems.
As part of the agreement, FAU said a D-Wave Quantum Applications Academy will be launched on campus, offering paid internships and experiential learning opportunities. The university said the State of Florida and the City of Boca Raton have provided incentives tied to job growth and training to support the expanding quantum workforce associated with the project.
