Senate Introduces National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act

The U.S. Senate has introduced the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act, a bill that would authorize $2.7 billion in federal funding to accelerate quantum R&D at federal science agencies for the next five years. The act provides a significant expansion of the program’s national infrastructure and extends its duration from the original 2029 deadline to December 2034.

The bill would refocus the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) from basic research to practical applications and establish up to three new National Institute of Science and Technology quantum centers focusing on quantum sensing, measurement, and engineering. It would also create five new National Science Foundation Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education, a quantum workforce coordination hub, and quantum testbeds at the National Science Foundation’s Technology, Innovations, and Partnerships Directorate. The legislation would additionally authorize NASA quantum R&D activities, including quantum satellite communications and quantum sensing research initiatives.

Further, the act requires the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop an international quantum cooperation strategy to coordinate R&D activities with allied nations and directs the Secretary of Commerce to submit a plan to strengthen quantum supply chain resilience. Per the bill, each agency would need to develop metrics for monitoring and evaluating advancements in quantum information science and progress toward practical quantum applications and report to Congress. The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on reducing red tape and paperwork burden related to private sector and academic participation in NQI activities and centers.

Created in 2018, the NQI coordinates quantum research and development to advance the economic and national security of the U.S. The original five-year authorization was signed into law in December 2018, and authorization for certain R&D activities expired on Sept. 30. The authorization for the entire NQI expires on Dec. 21, 2029.