S. 1344 — Quantum Sandbox for Near-Term Applications Act of 2025

This section states congressional findings recognizing the importance of the National Quantum Initiative in promoting quantum information science; the need for continual U.S. quantum industry innovation; the potential of quantum and quantum-hybrid applications to address public- and private-sector challenges; the value of cloud access and dedicated programs to accelerate near-term quantum computing across technologies; anticipated benefits to U.S. businesses and consumers; quantum information science as a foundational 21st-century economic technology; its impact on U.S. economic security through leadership in research and near-term development; and the need for excellence in quantum workforce development.

This section establishes a public-private partnership, termed a quantum sandbox, within Title IV of the National Quantum Initiative Act to accelerate development of near-term quantum applications (i.e., deployable in less than 24 months) that use quantum processing units for quantum computing, communication, sensing, and hybrid systems. The Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the NIST Director, must establish the quantum sandbox—a program for innovating, developing, testing, and piloting such applications—and engage the Quantum Economic Development Consortium, DOE national laboratories (as defined in 42 U.S.C. 15801), federally funded research and development centers, and other U.S. quantum ecosystem participants.