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119-s-3597119th CongressWALLET

National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Young, Todd [R-IN]

In Committee

Summary

Would reauthorize and expand the National Quantum Initiative to grow the U.S. quantum industry, workforce, and secure supply chains. It would broaden federal programs at NIST, NSF, and NASA, add research centers and workforce hubs, tighten research-security rules, and push international standards and supply-chain resilience.

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  • Students, teachers, and workers would get new traineeships, fellowships, K–12 programs, internships, and a Quantum Reskilling, Education, and Workforce Hub that must include at least 4 institutions including 2 community colleges.
  • Researchers, universities, national labs, and small businesses would be eligible for expanded centers and grants, including up to 10 multidisciplinary NSF centers and competitive NIST Quantum Centers with grants capped at $18.0 million per center per year.
  • Supply chains and national security would get new attention through a two-year Commerce and Energy study, a three-year resilience plan, formal foreign-risk screening rules, and funding prohibitions for Confucius Institutes and specified foreign entities.

*Would authorize federal funding including up to $85.0 million per year for NIST (FY2026–FY2030), up to $25.0 million per year for NASA, and center grants capped at $18.0 million per center per year, increasing authorized federal expenditures over that period.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

13 provisions identified: 10 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

New quantum jobs and training

If enacted, the bill would fund a national Quantum Reskilling, Education, and Workforce Hub led by a college consortium for five years. If enacted, NSF would also offer graduate traineeships, fellowships, scholarships, more undergraduate research, and cooperative education tied to quantum science and engineering. These programs would prioritize U.S. students and underrepresented groups and link students to industry internships and job pathways.

Stronger coordination and oversight

If enacted, the bill would expand the National Quantum Coordination Office's duties and require staff details from key agencies to improve interagency coordination. If enacted, it would broaden the Program scope to include demonstrations, infrastructure, human resources, and small business and ally participation. If enacted, the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee and Subcommittees would get new members and duties to study competitiveness, use cases, supply chains, and recruitment.

Map and secure quantum supply chains

If enacted, Commerce and Energy would jointly study and map critical quantum supply chains and vulnerabilities and report to Congress within two years. If enacted, Commerce must give recommendations within two years and a three‑year plan to strengthen domestic quantum capacity. These studies and plans aim to reduce single points of failure and improve industrial resilience.

NASA quantum research funding

If enacted, the bill would let NASA spend up to $25 million per year from 2026 through 2030 on quantum research, subject to available appropriations. If enacted, NASA would run merit‑reviewed initiatives that can include colleges, research centers, and private partners and must send a quantum strategy to Congress within 180 days. This would increase NASA support for quantum sensing, networking, and mission applications if Congress provides the money.

Help for post-quantum upgrades

If enacted, NIST would publish guidance and help high‑risk organizations adopt post‑quantum cryptography and offer technical assistance. If enacted and Congress funds it, NIST could run a grant program to cover reasonable adoption or remediation costs for high‑risk entities after voluntary standards are issued. This aims to reduce future cyber risks for critical infrastructure and other high‑risk entities.

More NSF centers and testbeds

If enacted, NSF could fund up to 10 multidisciplinary quantum research centers instead of 5 and allow five-year renewals after merit review. If enacted, NSF would also fund competitive quantum testbeds within one year and give priority to projects with industry partners and at least 25% private cost share. These centers and testbeds would aim to broaden access, help startups and small businesses, and support workforce and translational research.

End dates for two programs

If enacted, the bill would end the National Quantum Initiative's core statutory authority on December 30, 2034. If enacted, the bill would terminate the National Nanotechnology Program 180 days after enactment and require OSTP to brief Congress within 90 days with a plan to minimize R&D disruption and transfer infrastructure and personnel. These terminations could disrupt existing coordination, grants, and projects.

NIST quantum centers and rules

If enacted, NIST would be required to set up 1–3 competitive quantum centers and could allocate up to $18 million per center each year for 2026–2030, if Congress funds it. If enacted, NIST activities and centers would have to follow stricter research security rules and could not use funds for some partnerships with foreign countries or colleges tied to Confucius Institutes. These changes boost funding for centers while adding compliance rules and limits on some foreign collaborations.

Cut red tape and report reviews

If enacted, the Government Accountability Office must review NIST, NSF, and DOE quantum program reporting within one year and send Congress recommendations within 180 days after the review. If enacted, OSTP must review federal regulatory barriers to quantum R&D within 540 days and report recommended fixes and updates every five years. These reviews aim to reduce duplicate paperwork and speed researcher access to facilities.

New technical and foreign definitions

If enacted, the bill would add clear definitions for quantum science, sensing, networking, and related terms. If enacted, it would also define "foreign country of concern" and "foreign entity of concern" to guide screening and eligibility. These definitions would make program rules clearer for researchers, companies, and agencies.

U.S. international quantum plan

If enacted, OSTP must deliver an International Quantum Cooperation Strategy within one year that names allies, proposes co‑funded programs, and recommends safeguards against malign influence. If enacted, OSTP must brief Congress within 30 days after completing the strategy. The plan would help coordinate international standards, talent, and secure cooperation.

Federal quantum prize competitions

If enacted, federal agencies on the Quantum Subcommittee could run prize competitions to speed up quantum applications and algorithms, if Congress provides money. If enacted, competitions may use existing prize authorities and set measurable performance goals, and the Subcommittee can help scope challenges. These prizes could create opportunities for startups, small businesses, and researchers.

NSF visitor checks and PQ research

If enacted, NSF would need to set visitor and assignee screening rules for NSF‑supported facilities like those used at National Laboratories. If enacted, the bill would also add post‑quantum cryptography explicitly to NSF's list of cybersecurity research topics. The changes mean more research funding directions but also more screening and compliance for visitors at NSF sites.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Young, Todd [R-IN]

IN • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 1/8/2026

  • Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 1/8/2026

  • Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 1/8/2026

  • Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 1/8/2026

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 1/8/2026

  • Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 1/8/2026

  • Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 1/8/2026

  • Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]

    SD • R

    Sponsored 1/8/2026

  • Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 1/8/2026

  • Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 1/27/2026

  • Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 1/27/2026

  • Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

    MS • R

    Sponsored 3/16/2026

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/16/2026

  • Sen. Moreno, Bernie [R-OH]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

  • Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

  • Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 4/22/2026

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/22/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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