Cloud LAB Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Obernolte
Introduced
Summary
A national network of remote, automated cloud laboratories would connect public and private labs to expand access to robotics-driven experiments and standardize biological data for AI and other analysis.
Show full summary
- Researchers would get remote access to automated instrumentation and high-quality biological datasets for training AI models and advancing projects, backed by at least 2 Phase II grants and 3 Phase III grants.
- Public, academic, and industry labs would be coordinated through a new advisory board of federal staff, scientists, ethicists, and industry representatives to set data standards and reduce duplication; the board would operate up to 12 years.
- A required implementation plan would map existing cloud labs, describe funding and payment models, outline IP terms, and set rules for data storage, authorized researcher access, cybersecurity, and biosecurity, with the plan due within 360 days.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Cloud lab advisory board and reports
If enacted, the NSF Director would set up a cloud laboratory advisory board within 180 days. The board could include agency staff, academic researchers, biosafety and ethics experts, social science specialists, and industry representatives. The board would recommend data collection priorities, advise on who should be an authorized researcher, and give guidance on cybersecurity, biosafety, and research security. The board must produce an annual report and would end 12 years after enactment. The NSF Director would also report to Congress starting one year after all Phase II awards and every year after that.
NSF cloud lab pilot and plan
If enacted, the NSF Director would create a coordinated cloud laboratory pilot network. The Director must send Congress an implementation plan within 360 days. If Congress provides money, NSF must award at least 2 Phase II grants within 2 years; those labs must be fully operational by 3 years and get grants of at least 8 years. NSF must also award at least 3 separate Phase III grants by 4 years, each for at least 6 years. Supported labs would be required to produce automated, high-quality biological data and give approved researchers access to instruments and data. All awards are subject to the availability of appropriations.
Who can access cloud lab data
If enacted, the bill would define an 'authorized researcher' as an individual the NSF Director approves to access cloud lab data. The Director would set up the authorization process when creating the cloud laboratory network. This would allow approved researchers to get data and instrument access but would limit access for others to protect security.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Obernolte
CA • R
Cosponsors
Khanna
CA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Auchincloss
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.
View on Congress.gov