National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]
- Committees
- Science, Space, and Technology Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Apr 29, 2026
Bottom line
This bill aims to solidify U.S. leadership in quantum information science, engineering, and technology by expanding federal research, workforce development, and commercialization efforts, while also addressing national security and supply chain vulnerabilities.
What it actually does
This bill reauthorizes and significantly expands the National Quantum Initiative Act, updating definitions, broadening the scope of research to include engineering and technology, enhancing workforce development across all educational levels, and establishing new centers and testbeds. It introduces robust research security measures and mandates international cooperation strategies across key federal departments including NIST, NSF, DOE, and NASA, with a strong emphasis on commercialization and domestic supply chain resilience.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this reauthorization is crucial for maintaining U.S. competitiveness against global rivals, fostering innovation, strengthening the domestic quantum industry, and ensuring national security in critical emerging technologies. They emphasize the importance of a skilled workforce, robust supply chains, and strategic international partnerships to secure America's future in the quantum era.
Opponents contend
Potential opponents might raise concerns about the overall cost of expanding these programs, the effectiveness of extensive federal intervention versus private sector-led innovation, or the potential for over-regulation to inadvertently hinder research and collaboration. Some may question the necessity or scope of certain new restrictions on international engagement.
The bill is substantial but well-structured, allowing an informed reader to grasp its core provisions within a reasonable timeframe, though the technical nature requires careful attention.
Section 2, 3, 4
Expanded Definitions, Purposes, and Program Scope
This provision updates key definitions to include 'Confucius Institute,' 'foreign country of concern,' and 'quantum applications,' clarifying the scope for new restrictions and program eligibility. It broadens the National Quantum Initiative's (NQI) purposes to explicitly include quantum engineering and technology, workforce pathways, retaining international talent (consistent with national security), supporting quantum applications, and improving the maturity of the domestic quantum industry. The NQI program itself is expanded to cover research development, near- and long-term demonstration, and standards engagement, involving a wider array of partners including nonprofit research organizations and strategic allies.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that these updates are essential to reflect the evolving landscape of quantum technology, ensuring the NQI remains relevant and effective in fostering U.S. leadership. Broadening the scope to include engineering, technology, and commercialization is seen as critical for translating basic research into practical applications and economic benefits.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against these definitional and purpose-driven updates, as they are generally seen as necessary modernizations for a rapidly advancing field. However, some might express concern about the potential for mission creep or over-extension of federal programs.
Tradeoffs
The expansion of scope aims to be comprehensive but risks diluting focus if not managed effectively. The inclusion of national security considerations in talent retention balances openness with protection.
Section 6, 8
Enhanced Interagency Coordination and Strategic Planning
These sections expand the membership and duties of the Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science and the Subcommittee on the Economic and Security Implications. New agencies like HHS, State, DHS, NOAA, Education, and NASA are added to ensure broader federal engagement. The subcommittees' duties are expanded to include quantum application development, comparative benchmarking of international efforts, facilitating interagency partnerships for quantum applications in various sectors, identifying potential 'Quantum Use Cases' for agencies, and developing plans for 'Quantum On-Ramps.' The Economic and Security Implications Subcommittee will also focus on supply chain impacts and attracting/retaining quantum talent in federal agencies.
Section 9 (New Section 105A)
International Quantum Cooperation Strategy
This new section mandates the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to develop an 'International Quantum Cooperation Strategy' within one year. The strategy must outline plans to establish collaborative international partnerships, ensure U.S. participation in bilateral and multilateral quantum efforts, promote the integrity of international standards organizations, and ensure the ethical application of quantum technologies. It also requires considering efforts to address national security and economic risks, develop international talent, secure the global quantum supply chain, and safeguard research from foreign entities of concern.
Section 11 (New Subsections (c) and (d))
NIST International Quantum Research and Post-Quantum Cryptography Deployment
This section mandates NIST to support international quantum information science, engineering, and technology research, metrology, and standardization, aligning with national strategies. Crucially, it prohibits funds from being obligated or expended to institutions with Confucius Institutes or for quantum research activities with foreign countries/entities of concern (with an exception for standardization activities). Additionally, NIST is directed to promote the voluntary development, adoption, and deployment of post-quantum cryptography standards, including disseminating guidance, providing technical assistance to critical infrastructure, and potentially establishing a grant program for high-risk entities to adopt these standards and remediate vulnerabilities.
Section 13 (New Subsections (c), (f), (h), (i))
NSF Quantum Workforce Development and Research Infrastructure
This section significantly expands NSF's role in quantum education and workforce development. It authorizes new awards for student traineeships (for U.S. citizens), fellowships, scholarships, and cooperative education programs to increase capacity and broaden participation in quantum fields. A new program ('Expanding Capacity in QISET') provides competitive awards to institutions *not* among the top 100 in federal R&D expenditures, aiming to build research and education capacity and broaden participation, requiring industry partnerships. NSF is also directed to support international quantum research collaboration with security considerations and to make awards for upgrading research facilities and improving access to equipment for quantum R&D.
Section 15 (New Sections 303, 304)
Quantum Reskilling, Education, and Workforce (QREW) Coordination Hub and Quantum Testbeds
This section establishes two significant new initiatives under NSF. First, a 'Quantum Reskilling, Education, and Workforce (QREW) Coordination Hub' will be created through a competitive award to a consortium (including at least four institutions of higher education, with two community colleges). This Hub will serve as a national clearinghouse to address workforce development challenges, disseminate model curricula, facilitate employment opportunities, and coordinate industry engagement. Second, NSF is authorized to establish up to five 'Quantum Testbeds' for quantum applications research and development, focusing on near-term and medium-term use cases. These testbeds will provide accessible research resources to academia and industry, requiring private/non-federal cost-sharing and industry participation, with an emphasis on geographic diversity.
Section 16 (New Subsections (c), (d)), Section 17 (New Section 401A), Section 21 (New Section 405)
DOE Quantum HPC Strategy, Industry Outreach, Foundries, and Electric Grid Applications
This section significantly expands DOE's quantum mission. It requires a 10-year strategic plan for Quantum High Performance Computing (HPC), guiding the design, expansion, and procurement of hybrid HPC systems integrating quantum supercomputers, including leveraging exascale capabilities and cloud access. DOE is mandated to engage with the quantum technology industry, educate both the energy and quantum sectors, accelerate U.S. capabilities for energy sector protection, advance domestic supply chains, and facilitate commercialization from National Labs. A new 'Quantum Instrumentation and Foundry Program' is established to maintain U.S. leadership, develop domestic supply chains, and provide resources for the scientific community, supporting the development of quantum foundries. Finally, DOE is directed to conduct R&D on using quantum information science, engineering, and technology to enhance the resilience, security, and efficiency of the electric grid, covering areas like fault detection, grid security (including post-quantum cryptography), optimization, and energy storage.
Section 23 (New Title V)
NASA Quantum Activities and Institute
This new title authorizes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to carry out research on quantum information science, engineering, and technology, and to designate a coordinator for these activities. NASA is required to submit a strategy within 180 days identifying priority areas (like quantum sensing), novel exploration opportunities, and required resources, while also describing cooperative efforts with other federal agencies. Furthermore, NASA is authorized to establish a competitive, merit-reviewed 'NASA Quantum Institute' focused on space and aeronautics applications of quantum information science, engineering, and technology, which may leverage commercially available hardware and software and support related education and public outreach.
Sections 12, 15, 22, 23 (New Sections 203, 305, 406, 503)
Research Security Across All Quantum Programs
This provision inserts new sections into Titles II (NIST), III (NSF), IV (DOE), and V (NASA) of the National Quantum Initiative Act, explicitly stating that all activities authorized under these titles shall be applied in a manner consistent with subtitle D of title VI of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19231 et seq.). This effectively extends existing federal research security frameworks, designed to protect U.S. research and intellectual property from foreign adversaries and undue foreign influence, to all reauthorized and newly established quantum programs across these agencies.
The bill introduces definitions for 'Confucius Institute' and 'foreign country of concern'/'foreign entity of concern' in Section 2. These definitions are then used to impose significant restrictions: none of the funds made available under NIST's Title II activities (Section 11(c)(3)) or NSF's international research activities (Section 13(h)(4)) may be obligated or expended to an institution of higher education that maintains a contract with a Confucius Institute, or to promote/establish/finance quantum research activities between a U.S. entity and a foreign country/entity of concern (with an exception for standardization activities).
Section 2 (Definitions) and Sections 11(c)(3) (NIST), 13(h)(4) (NSF)
Why it matters:Defining terms early and applying them later is standard legislative practice. However, the far-reaching implications of these restrictions on academic institutions' international partnerships and research funding could be easily overlooked by a reader not meticulously cross-referencing definitions.
Case for: Proponents argue these restrictions are vital for national security, preventing intellectual property theft, and safeguarding U.S. technological leadership from adversarial nations. They ensure that federal funding does not inadvertently support entities or relationships that could undermine U.S. interests.
Case against: Critics might argue such broad restrictions could stifle legitimate international scientific collaboration, limit access to global talent, and potentially harm academic freedom, especially if not narrowly tailored. They could also create administrative burdens for universities to ensure compliance.
Estimated impact: Potentially significant impact on academic institutions' international partnerships and research funding, particularly those with existing ties to Chinese educational or research entities. It could reshape the landscape of international quantum collaboration.
For the new 'Expanding Capacity in Quantum Information Science, Engineering, and Technology (QISET)' program under NSF, the bill defines an 'eligible institution of higher education' as one that, according to National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics data, is *not*, on average, among the top 100 institutions in Federal research and development expenditures during the three-year period prior to the award year.
Section 13(f)(7)
Why it matters:This is a specific targeting mechanism for a new program, common in authorization bills to direct resources to particular types of institutions. While not intentionally evasive, its placement requires careful reading to understand the program's intended beneficiaries.
Case for: Proponents argue this provision is crucial for fostering broader geographic and institutional diversity in the quantum workforce pipeline. By directing funding to institutions outside the traditional top research hubs, it aims to build quantum capacity in underserved regions and expand the talent pool more widely across the nation.
Case against: Critics might argue that excluding top-tier research institutions, which often possess the most advanced infrastructure and established expertise, could limit the most efficient use of federal funds and potentially slow overall progress in cutting-edge quantum research by fragmenting resources.
Estimated impact: This provision will significantly redirect a portion of NSF's quantum capacity-building funds towards a broader range of universities, potentially creating new regional quantum research and education hubs and diversifying the quantum talent pipeline.