National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act
Sponsored By: Representative Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]
In Committee
Summary
Modernize and scale the U.S. quantum research, workforce, and supply chain. This bill would reauthorize and expand the National Quantum Initiative to push quantum applications, standards, commercialization, and international cooperation while tightening research-security safeguards.
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- Students and workers gain clearer career paths and more education access. NSF would expand fellowships, scholarships, apprenticeships, K–12 and community college integration, and create a QREW Hub led by a consortium with at least four institutions including two community colleges.
- Universities, national labs, and researchers get more infrastructure for testing and commercialization. NSF could fund up to five quantum testbeds and raise multidisciplinary centers from 5 to 10, while NIST may select 1 to 3 Quantum Acceleration Centers to speed sensing, manufacturing, and networking.
- Industry, startups, and critical infrastructure see stronger commercialization tools and security planning. DOE must produce a 10‑year quantum high‑performance computing plan and NIST would lead a post‑quantum cryptography deployment framework with a grant program to help high‑risk entities adopt PQC. The bill also restricts funding tied to Confucius Institutes and certain foreign entities of concern.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
DOE quantum foundry and plan
If enacted, the Energy Department would establish a Quantum Instrumentation and Infrastructure Foundry to build and commercialize specialized quantum equipment and strengthen domestic supply chains. DOE would shift quantum work to research, development, and demonstration, expand industry partnerships including small businesses, and pursue grid resilience and post‑quantum security work. The Secretary would submit a 10‑year Quantum High‑Performance Computing Strategic Plan to Congress within one year.
Stronger federal quantum coordination and planning
If enacted, the bill would extend the National Quantum Initiative authorization to December 30, 2032. It would give the National Quantum Coordination Office expanded duties and four‑year appointee terms. It would require interagency planning and add agencies to the quantum subcommittee that must identify use cases and create 'quantum on‑ramp' plans. It would change advisory committee membership and require the President to charter the committee through December 31, 2030.
More NSF quantum centers and training
If enacted, NSF would be allowed to increase multidisciplinary quantum centers from 5 to 10. NSF would fund traineeships, fellowships, scholarships, and cooperative education, and set up a five‑year QREW workforce hub that must include at least two community colleges. Traineeships would be limited to U.S. citizen graduate students. NSF would competitively award up to five testbeds within one year, prioritize applicants with at least 25% private cost share, and brief Congress every two years through 2032. The bill would also make post‑quantum cryptography an explicit NSF research area.
New NIST quantum acceleration centers
If enacted and funded, NIST would be able to competitively create one to three Quantum Acceleration Centers. Centers would run for five years, focus on sensing, manufacturing, networking, or engineering, and may be renewed after merit review. Eligible applicants would include universities, nonprofits, consortia, and private sector partners.
NIST post-quantum help and limits
If enacted, the bill would direct NIST to publish guidance and provide technical help to help critical infrastructure adopt post‑quantum cryptography. Subject to funding, NIST could award grants to cover reasonable remediation costs for high‑risk entities. The bill would also require program activities to follow federal research‑security rules. It would bar NIST funding to colleges with Confucius Institute agreements and to certain foreign partners for quantum research.
NASA quantum research and institute
If enacted, NASA would name a quantum coordinator and send Congress a quantum research strategy within 180 days. Subject to appropriations, NASA could run a competitive NASA Quantum Institute for space and aeronautics QISET research. Institute awards would run for an initial five years and could be renewed after merit review.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
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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