National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]
In Committee
Summary
Broadens federal quantum policy to accelerate research, commercialization, and workforce development. This bill reauthorizes and expands the National Quantum Initiative into a broader Quantum Information Science, Engineering, and Technology (QISET) framework, creates competitive Centers and Testbeds, mandates an international cooperation strategy, tightens research security rules, and extends the program sunset to December 30, 2032.
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- Researchers and universities: Raises the number of multidisciplinary QISET centers from 5 to 10 and requires new grant programs and facility upgrades. NSF must fund up to 5 quantum testbeds with at least a 25% non‑Federal cost share.
- Industry, startups, and supply chains: Authorizes 1–3 NIST Quantum Acceleration Centers, expands public‑private partnerships, and creates a voluntary post‑quantum cryptography deployment and grant program to help critical infrastructure adopt new standards.
- Students, educators, and the workforce: Expands training from K‑12 through postdoc levels, creates a Quantum Reskilling, Education, and Workforce Hub with community college representation, and authorizes industry‑partnered traineeships, fellowships, and teacher research experiences.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
More NSF quantum training and testbeds
If enacted, NSF would expand quantum education and workforce programs. NSF could fund traineeships and fellowships (graduate and undergraduate) with industry partnerships and temporary placements. NSF would award a five-year Quantum Reskilling, Education, and Workforce Hub run by a consortium that must include at least two community colleges. NSF must also award up to five competitive quantum testbeds within one year, prioritize proposals with at least 25% non‑Federal cost share, and make academic QISET infrastructure a program priority. NSF would also expand the number of multidisciplinary centers from 5 to 10 and seek to increase K–12 educator training opportunities.
NIST centers and post-quantum help
If enacted, NIST could fund one to three competitive Quantum Acceleration Centers to speed R&D, deployment, and standards adoption. Centers would run for up to five years and could include universities, nonprofits, labs, and private partners. NIST would also promote voluntary post-quantum cryptography adoption by issuing guidance, offering technical help to high-risk infrastructure, and—if Congress provides funds—making grants to cover reasonable adoption or remediation costs.
Stronger federal quantum coordination efforts
If enacted, the bill would expand the federal coordination office and advisory committee roles, add a four-year term for a coordination post, and broaden advisory membership to include industry and nonprofits. It would add more agencies to interagency subcommittees and require those groups to report on federal "Quantum Use Cases" and workforce retention strategies. The Office of Science and Technology Policy would also have to deliver an International Quantum Cooperation Strategy within one year and brief Congress within 30 days after completion.
Energy Department expands quantum research plan
If enacted, the Energy Department would broaden its quantum program from basic research to research, development, and demonstration across many technical areas. DOE would be authorized to run National Quantum Information Science Research Centers and work with industry, labs, and universities. The Secretary would also have to submit a 10-year Quantum High Performance Computing strategic plan to Congress within one year of enactment.
Program reauthorized through 2032
If enacted, this bill would replace older date language and set the National Quantum Initiative’s termination date to December 30, 2032. This would extend the statutory authorization and update internal timing references. The date changes would take effect upon enactment.
New research security and foreign limits
If enacted, the bill would clarify and expand legal definitions used across the program and require Title III activities to follow existing research security rules. It would bar certain NIST-funded work at colleges that have contracts with Confucius Institutes and restrict funding for partnerships with listed foreign countries or entities of concern. An exception would still allow awardees to participate in consensus international standardization activities.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Babin
TX • R
Sponsored 4/23/2026
Obernolte
CA • R
Sponsored 4/23/2026
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 5/11/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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