Federal investment would accelerate quantum R&D at NIST, NSF, NASA—key to US national security and economic competitiveness

To maintain and expand the United States’ leadership in the global race for quantum technology, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), member of the Committee, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) introduced the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act, which would authorize $2.7 billion in federal funding to accelerate quantum research and development at federal science agencies for the next five years.

“Advancements in quantum science and technology are a game-changer. From healthcare breakthroughs to clean energy solutions, quantum applications in sensing, computing, and communications will reshape our future,” said Sen. Cantwell. “The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act strengthens America's competitive edge through critical R&D investments. By fostering public-private collaboration, we will accelerate quantum innovation, create high-skilled jobs, and pioneer discoveries that benefit generations to come.”

“Quantum research and development is critical to our economic and national security. This legislation prioritizes advancements in quantum and will help address technological and workforce challenges in the quantum sector,” said Sen. Young.

“Quantum technology is our future. And as Illinois continues leading the world in quantum research and innovation, it’s critical that our federal research agencies are fully funded,” said Sen. Durbin. “The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act will help ensure the United States leads the world in computing, security, and connectivity.”

“Investing in quantum research is crucial to maintain America’s status as the leader in cutting-edge technology. I’m proud to support this bipartisan legislation, which will increase our national security and bolster our economy, both in Montana and across the nation,” said Sen. Daines.

Federal investment in quantum technology is essential to address the "valley of death," a phase where promising technologies often stall between research and commercialization. Federal funding supports early research in academia and national labs, training quantum engineers and researchers and constructing vital infrastructure. Without robust federal support, innovations may fail to materialize, stalling potential breakthroughs critical for national security and economic competitiveness.

The bill would refocus the National Quantum Initiative from basic research to practical applications and expand it to include other federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), State Department and Small Business Administration (SBA). The legislation would establish up to three new National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) quantum centers. It would create five new National Science Foundation (NSF) Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education, a quantum education and workforce hub and new quantum testbeds. The bill would also bolster NASA’s quantum satellite and quantum sensing work for earth science.

Quantum computing has the potential to solve complex problems exponentially faster than existing computers. The technology could lead to breakthroughs in drug discovery, weather forecasting, financial and economic modeling, artificial intelligence, cryptography and other innovations. Quantum sensing applications can provide more precise measurements critical for navigation and tracking, seismic monitoring, infrastructure monitoring and geographical surveying.

The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act: BILL TEXT

• Authorizes $2.7 billion for FY2025 – FY2029 for NIST, NSF and NASA quantum R&D.
• Extends the program by five years from the original 2029 deadline to December 2034. 
• Shifts the focus of the National Quantum Initiative from basic research to developing practical quantum applications.
• Establishes up to three new NIST quantum centers to advance research in quantum sensing, measurement and engineering.
• Creates five new NSF Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education, a quantum workforce coordination hub and quantum testbeds at the NSF’s Technology, Innovations, and Partnerships Directorate.
• Authorizes NASA quantum R&D activities, including quantum satellite communications and quantum sensing research initiatives.
• Creates prize challenges to accelerate the development of quantum applications and algorithms through public-private collaboration.
• Requires the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to develop an international quantum cooperation strategy to coordinate R&D activities with allies of the United States.
• Adds the NIH, State Department and SBA to the National Quantum Initiative to expand interagency collaboration and expertise. 
• Directs the Secretary of Commerce to submit a plan to strengthen quantum supply chain resilience.
• Requires each agency to develop metrics for monitoring and evaluating advancements in quantum information science and progress toward practical quantum applications and report to Congress.
• Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on reducing red tape and paperwork burden related to private sector and academic participation in National Quantum Initiative activities and centers.

“The Quantum Industry Coalition is committed to advancing U.S. quantum leadership. We welcome the reauthorization and expansion of the National Quantum Initiative, which will help expand the U.S. quantum industry through near-term application development and foundational research. The reauthorization enhances engagement with the innovative U.S. quantum industry, supports economic competitiveness, and promotes national security. We thank Chair Cantwell and Senators Young, Durbin, and Daines for their work on this important legislation," said Paul Stimers, Executive Director of the Quantum Industry Coalition.

“QED-C wholeheartedly supports the bipartisan NQI Reauthorization Act being introduced in the Senate by the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. The Act will ensure US leadership by supporting a broad portfolio of basic research, promoting engagement with industry and international partners, and building a quantum-ready workforce,” said Celia Merzbacher, Executive Director of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium.

"IonQ applauds Senator Maria Cantwell in her efforts to reauthorize the National Quantum Initiative Act (NQI). The NQI is instrumental in driving the U.S. national quantum strategy and demonstrates how policy can support technology leadership. Now is the time for the U.S. government to employ quantum computing and networking technologies to help address many of society’s complex challenges in areas such as security, finance, manufacturing and life sciences. We encourage a swift passage of this necessary legislation,” said Peter Chapman, President and CEO of IonQ.

“Microsoft supports the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act as a vital step in maintaining U.S. leadership in quantum information science. This legislation plays a crucial role in driving innovation, cultivating a skilled quantum workforce, and fostering public-private partnerships. As quantum technologies advance, they offer transformative potential to address critical global challenges, from combating climate change to enhancing supply chain efficiency. Microsoft is proud to contribute to the progress of quantum science and technology and advocates for the swift passage of this essential legislation to secure the United States' position at the forefront of the quantum revolution,” said Fred Humphries, Corporate VP U.S. Government Affairs for Microsoft.

“The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act is vital for advancing quantum science and technology and ensuring the United States remains a global leader in this field. At the University of Washington, this investment empowers us to train the next generation of quantum researchers, and strengthens our ability to innovate in quantum computing, communication, and materials,” said Dr. Kai-Mei Fu, Professor of Physics, Electrical Engineering at the University of Washington.

 
Created in 2018, the National Quantum Initiative coordinates quantum research and development to advance the United States' economic and national security. The original five-year authorization was signed into law in December 2018, and authorization for certain R&D activities expired on September 30, 2023. The authorization for the entire National Quantum Initiative expires on December 21, 2029.

Sen. Cantwell authored the DOE Quantum Information Science Act, which became law as part of the House National Quantum Initiative Act in December 2018. As the lead architect of the CHIPS and Science Act, Sen. Cantwell advocated for several quantum provisions and identified quantum technology as one of the ten key technology focus areas. In February 2024, Sen. Canwell spoke at the grand opening of the nation’s first quantum computing manufacturing facility at IonQ in Bothell, Wash., about the promise of the Pacific Northwest becoming the nation’s “Quantum Valley.”