H.R. 8462 — National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act

This section revises the definitions in sec. 2 of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15 U.S.C. 8801) by (1) adding definitions of “Confucius Institute” (cross-referencing 42 U.S.C. 19039), “Federal laboratory” (cross-referencing 15 U.S.C. 3703), “foreign country of concern” and “foreign entity of concern” (both cross-referencing 42 U.S.C. 19237), “National Laboratory” (cross-referencing 42 U.S.C. 15801), “quantum applications” (applications using quantum information science, engineering, and technology, including quantum algorithms, computing, sensing, networking, encryption, and communications), “quantum computing” (quantum annealing and gate-model systems using various qubit architectures), and “STEM” (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science); (2) revising the definition of “quantum information science, engineering, and technology” to mean the understanding, translation, use, or application of quantum physics laws for information storage, transmission, manipulation, computing, simulation, or measurement; and (3) making conforming redesignations and a technical amendment to an existing definition.

This section revises the purposes of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15 U.S.C. 8802)—which coordinates federal research, development, and commercialization efforts in quantum information science—by (1) incorporating "engineering" alongside "science" and "technology" throughout; (2) in paragraph (1), expanding workforce training to develop domestic pathways and retain international talent consistent with national security, broadening education to primary and secondary levels, removing the "basic" research limitation, and adding support for quantum applications (including quantum-hybrid), commercialization, and emerging technologies that advance quantum capabilities; (3) in paragraph (4), explicitly including National Laboratories alongside federal laboratories; (4) in paragraph (5), emphasizing international partnerships and research collaborations, adding "social benefit" to innovation priorities, and requiring cooperative investments with allies and partners to secure the domestic supply chain and ecosystem; and (5) adding a new paragraph (6) to improve the quantum technology industry's maturity, scale, viability, and commercialization, including for small and medium-sized businesses and startups across quantum modalities.

This section revises the purposes of the National Quantum Initiative Program by (1) expanding paragraph (1) to accelerate research, development, near- and medium-term and long-term demonstration of quantum applications in diverse sectors (from development of quantum information science and technology applications); (2) broadening paragraph (2) to advance quantum science, engineering, and technology, including demonstration infrastructure (from fundamental quantum science and technology, excluding infrastructure); (3) updating paragraph (3) to grow the quantum science, engineering, and technology pathway (from science and technology pipeline); (4) replacing paragraph (4) to require interagency planning and coordination of federal quantum information science, engineering, and technology activities, including research, development, demonstration, standards engagement, specified defense and education authorities, and federal laboratory activities; and (5) expanding paragraph (5) to accelerate use of resources, including human resources, by industry, universities, nonprofit research organizations, and strategic allies (from industry and universities). (The National Quantum Initiative Program coordinates federal quantum information science efforts across the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and National Institute of Standards and Technology to maintain U.S. leadership in quantum technologies.)

This section revises provisions governing the National Quantum Coordination Office by (1) specifying that its director serves a four-year term, subject to renewal; and (2) expanding the office's duties to include coordination of science, engineering, and technology research and workforce development efforts involving federal agencies, universities, nonprofit research organizations, and industry; ensuring coordination among collaborative ventures or consortia established under the National Quantum Initiative Act; promoting understanding and adoption of quantum capabilities throughout the U.S. economy; and tracking and promoting policies to ensure stability of the U.S. quantum workforce, supply chain, domestic industry, and international trade. (As background, the office coordinates federal quantum information science and technology activities across agencies to advance U.S. leadership in quantum technologies.)

This section expands the membership of the Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science to include the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Department of Education. (As background, the subcommittee coordinates federal quantum information science research, development, and related activities across agencies under the National Quantum Initiative Act.) The section revises the subcommittee's duties in subsection (d) as follows: (1) expands the scope in paragraph (1) to encompass quantum information science, engineering, and technology research as well as quantum application development, demonstration, and commercialization; (2) inserts ", engineering, and technology" after "science" in paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7); (3) in paragraph (5), requires conducting comparative benchmarking of federal investments and research strategies against those of U.S. strategic partners and other countries; and (4) adds paragraph (8) to facilitate interagency partnerships advancing quantum applications related to the environment, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, space, and other sectors. The section further requires the annual coordination report under subsection (h)(2)(A) to include a description of agency roles and responsibilities and adds subsection (i) directing the subcommittee to (1) identify potential quantum computing use cases to advance participating agencies' missions via on-premises, cloud-based, hybrid, or networked approaches; (2) enable relevant agencies, in consultation with the subcommittee, to develop implementation plans for such use cases; and (3) report annually on identified use cases, plan status, and implementation obstacles.

This section revises provisions governing the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee by (1) revising membership qualifications to require presidentially appointed members representative of industry (including end users, small and medium-sized businesses, and startups across quantum specialties), universities, nonprofit research organizations, and federal laboratories, who are qualified to advise on quantum information science, engineering, and technology research, development, standards, STEM education, technology transfer, commercial application, or national security and economic concerns; (2) expanding the committee's duties to include assessing other countries' quantum programs relative to the National Quantum Initiative, promoting U.S. quantum industry innovation, addressing gaps in the federal quantum program, advancing international standards in open systems, considering additional legal issue areas (educational, environmental, health), and evaluating domestic and international cooperation needs (including infrastructure and supply chain) as well as quantum technology's role in enhancing the U.S. advanced industrial economy and critical infrastructure; (3) requiring the committee to meet periodically through December 31, 2030; and (4) exempting the committee from the Federal Advisory Committee Act's (FACA) two-year termination provision (5 U.S.C. §1013), while requiring it to otherwise comply with FACA. (As background, the committee advises the President, the National Quantum Coordinator, and federal agencies on research, development, commercialization, standards, education, and national security aspects of the National Quantum Initiative, a multi-agency program to accelerate U.S. leadership in quantum information science and technology.)

This section revises the Subcommittee on the Economic and Security Implications of Quantum Information Science (established under the National Quantum Initiative Act) by (1) adding the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of State, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration as member agencies; and (2) expanding its duties to include assessing implications for supply chains; incorporating quantum information science, engineering, and technology; coordinating with the Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science to increase coordination between civilian, military, and intelligence quantum research entities, reduce duplicative activities, and facilitate collaboration among agencies with specialized quantum expertise; and recommending strategies for attracting and retaining quantum experts to federal agencies. (As background, the subcommittee advises on quantum technology's economic and national security implications.)

This section requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), in consultation with the Secretaries of Commerce, State, and Energy, the National Science Foundation Director, the NASA Administrator, and other agency heads as appropriate, to submit to specified Senate and House committees not later than one year after enactment the International Quantum Cooperation Strategy. The strategy must (1) establish collaborative international partnerships, including co-funded programs, to advance research, development, testing, evaluation, commercialization, and interoperability in quantum information science and technology (QIST) with U.S. allies and partners and other countries when in U.S. security, strategic, technological, or scientific interests; (2) ensure continued U.S. participation in bilateral and multilateral QIST efforts; (3) promote integrity of international QIST standards organizations and processes; and (4) ensure ethical QIST applications protecting civil liberties and human rights. In developing the strategy, OSTP and relevant entities must consider elements including international partnerships and key allies with unique QIST capabilities; plans to address national security and economic risks from global quantum technologies, including diplomatic engagement; promotion of responsible global development via standards leadership; talent attraction and retention; global quantum supply chain capabilities and vulnerabilities, including Helium-3; safeguards against malign foreign influence on cooperative research; and needed legislative or administrative actions. OSTP must brief the committees on the strategy not later than 30 days after its completion.

This section extends the sunset date for the National Quantum Coordination Office—established under section 106(a) of the National Quantum Initiative Act to coordinate federal quantum information science and technology activities across agencies—to December 30, 2032 (from the date that is 11 years after enactment of the act).

This section revises subsection (a) of Section 201 of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15 U.S.C. 8831) to expand the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) quantum information science, engineering, and technology duties (previously science and technology in specified paragraphs) by (1) adding research on quantum cryptography, post-quantum cryptography, and low-disruption key replacement practices; (2) directing research, development, and demonstration projects on quantum networking, communications, computing, metrology, sensing technologies, applications, supply chain enabling technologies, and supporting technologies; (3) requiring coordination with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency on comparative performance measurements and technology readiness assessments; (4) promoting U.S. participation in international quantum standards organizations; (5) establishing or expanding public- and private-sector partnerships to accelerate domestic quantum supply chain development and reduce vulnerabilities; (6) modifying partnerships to include nonprofit research organizations and domestic STEM workforce expansion; and (7) requiring infrastructure for title II. This section revises subsection (b), governing the quantum consortium, to (1) direct assessment of quantum industry research needs (previously future needs); (2) expand consortium duties to provide recommendations on addressing research gaps, accelerating practical quantum applications, identifying essential enabling and supply chain technologies, and pursuing international partnerships; (3) require periodic reports, not less frequently than every five years (from not later than two years after enactment); and (4) authorize coordination with specified federal agencies on quantum applications and technologies. This section replaces subsection (c) with provisions directing NIST, in coordination with the Secretary of State and National Science Foundation Director, to support international quantum information science, engineering, and technology research, metrology, and standardization aligned with the National Quantum Information Science Strategy and U.S. Government National Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technology (or successors), while prohibiting funds for institutions with Confucius Institutes or successors or for foreign countries or entities of concern.

This section establishes a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) program, subject to appropriations, to create at least one but not more than three quantum acceleration centers through a competitive, merit-reviewed process to accelerate research, development, deployment, and standardization of quantum information science, engineering, and technology. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, multi-institution collaborations (including research institutions, private sector entities, federal laboratories, and nonprofits or consortia thereof), and other entities deemed appropriate by the NIST Director, with initial priorities for (1) quantum sensing and measurement technologies, (2) advancing manufacturing and scale-up of quantum systems and enabling technologies, (3) addressing technology barriers to quantum networking and communications, and (4) quantum engineering. Centers must, to the maximum extent practicable, advance NIST's mission by supporting research and standardization, technology development, and U.S. competitiveness; coordinate with NIST and related programs; operate for five years (renewable for additional five-year periods following merit review); and may be terminated for underperformance. This section also requires activities under Title II of the National Quantum Initiative Act to comply with research security provisions of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19231 et seq.).

This section revises NSF's quantum information science research and education activities under section 301 of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15 U.S.C. 8841) by (1) broadening the scope throughout from "quantum information science" (and "science and engineering") to "quantum information science, engineering, and technology" (QISET), including in the section heading and subsection (d) heading (from "QISE"); (2) removing the "basic" research limitation in subsections (a) and (b)(1)(A); (3) expanding subsection (b)(2)(A)(i) to include K–12 and vocational education levels alongside undergraduate and graduate; (4) adding to subsection (b)(2)(A) a new requirement to pursue frontier research and solutions for quantum technology development, application, and commercialization; (5) adding to subsection (b)(2) a new subparagraph (F) requiring infrastructure support for academic QISET; and (6) replacing subsection (c) with new provisions directing NSF to award traineeships, fellowships, and scholarships to U.S. citizen graduate students and STEM undergraduates exposed to quantum topics (prioritizing those with industry partners); expand quantum research experiences for undergraduates via the existing Research Experiences for Undergraduates program (42 U.S.C. 1862p-6); support cooperative education programs; and encourage partnerships with federal agencies, labs, industry, and nonprofits to build workforce pathways. (As background, section 301 authorizes NSF to support QISET research, education, and workforce development as part of the National Quantum Initiative, a whole-of-government effort to advance U.S. leadership in quantum technologies.)

This section doubles the number of NSF multidisciplinary centers for quantum research and education to 10 (from 5); broadens their required activities in subsection (c) to remove the "basic" research limitation and expand from quantum science and engineering to include technology (including leveraging activities under NQI section 301(d)); adds "quantum information science, engineering, and technology," "health," and requirements for STEM outreach to women and underrepresented groups to grant application criteria in subsection (d)(2); requires participation in international collaborations with U.S. allies and value-sharing partners; modifies center selection in subsection (e)(2) from "on a competitive" basis to "following a successful" basis; and extends authorization through 2026 (from 2019-2023). (As background, these centers advance quantum information science—a field with applications in computing, sensing, and secure communications—through university-led research, workforce training, and partnerships.)

This section establishes a Quantum Reskilling, Education, and Workforce (QREW) Coordination Hub under Title III of the National Quantum Initiative Act by directing the National Science Foundation (NSF) Director, in consultation with specified agencies, to award funds to a consortium led by an institution of higher education or eligible nonprofit organization. The consortium must include at least four institutions of higher education, including at least two community colleges, and may include career and technical schools, nonprofits, and private sector entities. The Hub's purposes are to address quantum information science, engineering, technology, and industry workforce challenges as a national and regional clearinghouse and to facilitate model curricula, best practices, and instructional materials for institutions of higher education and career and technical education entities. Hub activities may include (1) standardizing materials developed under the Act, (2) integrating quantum content into STEM curricula at all levels, (3) facilitating internships, externships, fellowships, and employment pathways via a public online portal, (4) recruiting women and underrepresented STEM students, (5) developing educator career programs including workshops and training tools, (6) conducting quantum workforce data analysis aligned with existing studies, (7) public outreach, and (8) broader STEM coordination. The Hub may also support QREW Quantum Fellowships for students at consortium entities or designated research centers (subject to existing restrictions), and it must coordinate with the Quantum Consortium and other industry groups.

This section revises the Department of Energy's quantum information science research program under the National Quantum Initiative Act by expanding it from a basic research program to a research, development, and demonstration program on quantum information science, engineering, and technology. (As background, the program coordinates DOE efforts to advance quantum information science, which enables breakthroughs in computing, sensing, communications, and related fields with applications in energy, manufacturing, cybersecurity, and more.) The section further amends program activities in subsection (b) to (1) require operation of National Quantum Information Science Research Centers to accelerate breakthroughs and maintain infrastructure for researchers and industry; (2) direct cooperative research with industry, national laboratories, and academia in specified fields (e.g., quantum computational science including AI and machine learning, quantum communications and networking, quantum sensing, materials science, and energy applications such as electric grid management); (3) expand student research experiences and training to cover engineering, technology, and those fields; (4) add coordination with DOE offices including Electricity, Cybersecurity/Energy Security/Emergency Response, Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, and Technology Transitions; (5) include other relevant efforts defined by the Secretary; and (6) leverage existing federal research and commercial quantum hardware and software. The section also adds subsection (c) requiring the Secretary to submit to Congress, not later than one year after enactment, a report with a 10-year strategic plan for hybrid high-performance computing systems integrating quantum supercomputers, AI, machine learning, exascale capabilities, diverse quantum modalities, and cloud access to commercial quantum resources (consistent with the QUEST program); and subsection (d) directing industry outreach to educate the energy and quantum sectors, accelerate U.S. quantum capabilities for energy optimization, advance domestic supply chains and manufacturing, facilitate commercialization from national laboratories and the Quantum Consortium, and promote small and medium-sized businesses and startups.

This section establishes the Department of Energy (DOE) Quantum Instrumentation and Foundry Program under Title IV of the National Quantum Initiative Act (NQI Act), which coordinates federal quantum information science (QIS) research, development, and commercialization across DOE national laboratories, universities, and industry. The program directs DOE to (1) maintain U.S. leadership in QIS, engineering, and technology; (2) develop domestic quantum supply chains; (3) provide resources for the broader scientific community; and (4) support activities under NQI Act sections 401 (QIS research centers), 403 (major QIS research instrumentation), and 404 (QIS testbeds). DOE must design, build, develop, purchase, and commercialize specialized equipment, laboratory infrastructure, and state-of-the-art instrumentation to advance quantum engineering research and quantum component technologies at a scale sufficient for the scientific community and commercialization. DOE must also support, in coordination with institutions of higher education and industry, quantum foundries to address device, hardware, software, and materials needs of the scientific community and quantum supply chain.

This section revises provisions governing the National Quantum Information Science Research Centers under the National Quantum Initiative Act, which support research, development, education, and outreach in quantum information science across federal agencies including NIST, DOE, and NSF. Specifically, it (1) broadens the centers' purpose in subsection (a)(1) to encompass quantum science, engineering, and technology to expand domestic quantum workforce capacity (from basic quantum science and technology) and cross-references additional National Quantum Initiative programs; (2) authorizes collaborations in subsection (a)(2)(C) that may include commercial entities; (3) directs centers in subsection (b) to be inclusive of viable quantum technologies, where appropriate; (4) expands subsection (c) to include quantum science, engineering, and technology while accelerating quantum workforce development (from basic quantum science); (5) adds the Office of Technology Transitions to the agencies the Director must consult under subsection (d)(1); and (6) revises subsection (e)(2) to allow renewal of each center for an additional five years following a successful merit-based review (previously unspecified); and strikes subsection (f).

This section revises the Department of Energy (DOE) quantum network infrastructure research and development program under the National Quantum Initiative Act (i.e., a program to advance quantum information science networking technologies such as quantum repeaters, channels, and key distribution). (1) In subsection (a), it expands the program's purposes to include, where applicable, leveraging a diversity of modalities and commercially available quantum hardware and software and developing education and training pathways aligned with DOE's existing investments. (2) In subsection (b), it adds the NASA Administrator to the interagency working group; expands research areas to include ground-to-space channels, all applicable modalities (not just photon-based), quantum sensors, data centers, quantum technology modality stacks at National Laboratories such as those of DOE, quantum network and entanglement distribution protocols (including network stack protocols for integration with existing infrastructure), and high-efficiency room-temperature photon detectors; and broadens other research topics by removing limitations to "basic" or "fundamental" efforts and changing "material" to "materials." (3) In subsection (c), it expands eligible entities to expressly include small and medium-sized businesses, startups, and nonprofit organizations. (4) In subsection (d), it broadens authorized activities from "basic research" to "research, development, and demonstration."

This section revises the Department of Energy Quantum User Expansion for Science and Technology program by (1) expanding the program's purposes in subsection (a) to include software and cloud-based quantum computers (from quantum computing clouds) and adding requirements to enable development of software and applications—including estimation of resources needed to scale applications—and to develop near-term quantum applications to solve public and private sector problems; (2) adding requirements in subsection (b) to enable users to develop algorithms, software tools, simulators, and applications for quantum systems using cloud-based quantum computers and to partner with public and private sector entities to develop training and education opportunities on prototype and early-stage devices; and (3) expanding the list of partner entities in subsection (c) to include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, small- and medium-sized businesses and startups, and nonprofit organizations. (As background, the program provides DOE-managed quantum user facilities to support research, development, and access to quantum computing resources for users in quantum information science.)

This section directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct research, development, and demonstration activities using quantum information science, engineering, and technology—including quantum applications and quantum computing—to enhance the resilience, security, and efficiency of the U.S. electric grid. Activities may address (1) fault detection and prediction, (2) grid security and safety including post-quantum cryptography, (3) integrated grid planning, (4) grid optimization, (5) enhanced modeling, (6) energy storage, (7) energy market optimization, and (8) any other area determined by the Secretary; to the extent practicable, activities shall be conducted in cooperation with relevant industries, national laboratories, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and other entities.

This section directs that activities authorized under Title IV of the National Quantum Initiative Act be conducted consistent with research security requirements in subtitle D of title VI of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19231 et seq.). (As background, those requirements direct federal agencies to mitigate undue foreign influence in federally funded research through measures such as researcher disclosures of foreign ties, institutional risk assessments, and training programs.)

This section amends the National Quantum Initiative Act by adding a new title V authorizing National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) quantum activities. (Sec. 501) Authorizes the NASA Administrator to conduct research on quantum information science, engineering, and technology for space and aeronautics; designate a coordinator for such activities; pursue cooperative arrangements with the Department of Energy and other agencies; and submit to congressional committees, within 180 days of enactment, a strategy identifying priority areas (e.g., quantum sensing), exploration opportunities, required resources, and cooperative efforts in quantum sensing, networking, communications (including satellite), computing, and related applications. (Sec. 502) Authorizes NASA, subject to appropriations and in consultation with other agencies, to establish through competitive merit-review a quantum institute (for up to 5 years, renewable after merit review) involving universities, research centers, industry, and others to conduct research on space and aeronautics quantum applications (per the Sec. 501 strategy), education, and outreach while coordinating to avoid duplication and leveraging commercial technology. (Sec. 503) Requires title V activities to comply with specified research security provisions.

This section expands National Science Foundation cybersecurity research and development activities under the Cyber Security Research and Development Act to include post-quantum cryptography (as defined in the Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act).

This section makes clerical amendments to the table of contents of the National Quantum Initiative Act by (1) replacing the items for former sections 105 and 106 with new items for Sec. 105 (Subcommittee on the Economic and Security Implications of Quantum Information Science), Sec. 105A (International Quantum Cooperation Strategy), and Sec. 106 (Sunset); (2) inserting after Sec. 201 new items for Sec. 202 (National Institute of Standards and Technology quantum acceleration centers) and Sec. 203 (research security); (3) inserting after Sec. 302 new items for Sec. 303 (Quantum Reskilling, Education, and Workforce Coordination Hub) and Sec. 304 (quantum testbeds); (4) inserting after Sec. 401 a new item for Sec. 401A (Department of Energy Quantum Instrumentation and Foundry Program); (5) inserting after Sec. 404 new items for Sec. 405 (quantum information science to enhance electric grid resilience and security) and Sec. 406 (research security); and (6) adding at the end new items for Title V (National Aeronautics and Space Administration quantum activities), including Sec. 501 (quantum information science research for space and aeronautics), Sec. 502 (NASA quantum institute), and Sec. 503 (research security).