§8852 National Quantum Information Science Research Centers

Summary

Creates and runs 2 to 5 National Quantum Information Science Research Centers to do basic research that helps speed up breakthroughs in quantum information science and support related work. The Secretary of Energy, through the Director of the Office of Science, must run the program and work with other federal agencies as needed. Centers are chosen by a competitive, merit-reviewed process. Eligible applicants include National Laboratories, colleges and universities, research centers, multi-institution teams, and other groups the Secretary allows. Awarded projects can include different research institutions and private companies. Centers must serve the needs of the Department of Energy, industry, and academia and help keep the United States competitive. The Secretary must avoid unnecessary overlap with other DOE research efforts like the Nanoscale Science Research Centers, Energy Frontier Research Centers, Energy Innovation Hubs, National Laboratories, and with colleges and industry. Each Center gets a 5-year award and can apply again for more 5-year terms, judged competitively; the Secretary can end a Center early for cause. The Secretary will allocate up to $25,000,000 for each Center for each fiscal year 2019 through 2023, if funds are provided, from Department of Energy money.