The Quantum Partnership Workshop is a collaborative gathering at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, South Dakota. Hosted by the Great Plains Network (GPN) and The Institute for Underground Science at SURF, in partnership with the South Dakota Quantum Center initiative, this workshop brings together researchers and partners advancing quantum science and technology.
This year’s program will focus on Regional Quantum Planning, featuring sessions and discussions on quantum science and research, networking and computing, education and workforce development, and a GPN-Wide Quantum Strategy.
Date: Wednesday, July 22 – Friday, July 24, 2026
Location: Sanford Underground Research Facility, Lead, South Dakota
(Sanford Lab Homestake Visitors Center)
Registration Fee: $115
PROGRAM FRAMEWORK
Featured keynote speaker:
Emily Easton
Director of Education & Workforce Development
Chicago Quantum Exchange
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Featured speakers from across the Great Plains region, bringing expertise from academia, research, industry, and education
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Connect with leaders in quantum research, networking, computing, and technology from across the Great Plains region
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Discover opportunities for new research collaborations, partnerships, and funding initiatives
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Help advance regional strategies for quantum education, workforce development, and talent cultivation
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Participate in focused working sessions to identify shared priorities and future collaborative projects
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Gain behind-the-scenes access to South Dakota Mines' quantum center laboratories and SURF's underground research facilities
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Join a forward-looking conversation on the future of quantum science and technology in the region
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Leave with new connections, actionable ideas, and a clearer roadmap for regional quantum collaboration
Their is an underground tour of SURF on Tuesday, July 21, then the workshop begins Wednesday, July 22 at 1:00 p.m. MT with invited talks and discussions at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitors Center. The first evening will include a reception to connect with fellow attendees and explore the region’s rich history, from the legacy of the Homestake Mine to Nobel Prize-winning discoveries and ongoing neutrino research at the Sanford Underground Research Facility.
The following days will feature keynote talks, breakout and working sessions, and a regional site visit focused on quantum research and infrastructure.
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in collaborative dialogue shaping the future of quantum science.