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119-hr-7801119th CongressWALLET

Cloud LAB Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create a national Cloud Laboratory Network Pilot Program at the National Science Foundation to coordinate remote, automated labs and make high-quality biological data available to researchers. The program aims to link government, academic, and private cloud laboratories so researchers can run experiments remotely and share standardized data for AI and other analyses.

Show full summary
  • Researchers and institutions: Would get remote access to advanced instrumentation and automated experimentation designed to produce high-quality biological data for use in training AI models and other analyses.
  • Industry and cloud-lab operators: Sets a phased grant structure with at least 2 Phase II labs and at least 3 Phase III labs. Phase II awards must run at least 8 years and Phase III awards at least 6 years.
  • Data users and security stakeholders: Requires data storage and public access where appropriate, a payment or subscription model with nonproprietary use available at no or minimal cost, and an advisory board to recommend safeguards, cybersecurity, and governance. The program also calls for interagency coordination and includes a 12-year sunset for the pilot.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Advisory board and annual reports

If enacted, the NSF Director would create a Cloud Laboratory Advisory Board within 180 days. The board would include federal staff, academic researchers, ethics and security experts, and industry representatives and would advise on data priorities, who is an "authorized researcher", safeguards, and cybersecurity. The board would produce an annual report. The NSF Director would also submit annual reports to Congress starting one year after all Phase II awards are made and every year after that to track pilot progress.

National cloud lab pilot and grants

If enacted, the NSF Director would set up a national Cloud Laboratory Network within 360 days. The network would coordinate NSF-supported and private cloud labs to share instruments, capabilities, and high-quality biological data for authorized researchers and AI training. NSF would be able to make competitive Phase II grants for at least 2 cloud labs within 2 years; each Phase II lab would need to be fully operational within 3 years and each award would run at least 8 years. NSF would be able to make at least 3 Phase III awards within 4 years; Phase III awards would be separate from Phase II and run at least 6 years. The Director would send Congress an implementation plan within 360 days describing data storage, access, payment or subscription rules (including no or minimal cost access for nonproprietary work), sample IP terms, cybersecurity safeguards, and year-by-year cost estimates. All grants and activities would be subject to the availability of appropriations. The pilot program and its authorities would end 12 years after enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23]

CA • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 3/4/2026

  • Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 3/4/2026

  • Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 3/4/2026

  • Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 3/19/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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