National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Fetterman, John [D-PA]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network to link up to six remote, automated lab nodes for secure, standards-based, cloud-enabled experimentation that speeds research and improves reproducibility.
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- Researchers and universities would get remote access to programmable workflows, AI-enabled instruments, and shared standards to run automated experiments and securely share data and models across institutions.
- Private industry would be pushed to co-invest through public-private partnerships and cost-sharing, and the Network would accelerate technology transfer of federally funded research to commercial uses.
- Students, the workforce, and U.S. industry would benefit from programs to develop skills aligned with industry needs and to grow a domestic industrial base for lab automation, AI systems for experimentation, and robotics platforms.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New national cloud labs network
If enacted, the NSF Director would create a National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network. The Director would pick up to 6 nodes within one year of enactment. Eligible applicants include colleges, nonprofits, private research groups, and consortia. Chosen nodes must offer secure remote labs, AI tools, and advanced instruments. Nodes must submit long-term financial plans and show non-Federal cost share; they may charge user fees, license technology, or form consortia to reduce future Federal funding.
Study of other programmable labs
If enacted, NSF would report to Congress on non‑designated programmable cloud labs. The study must finish within 180 days after the Network’s final node is named. It would list labs with remote or automated capacity, describe instruments and cybersecurity, and identify legal or IP issues. NSF must publish a nonproprietary public summary and may send a confidential annex to committees.
Technical standards for cloud labs
If enacted, NIST would work with NSF and participating labs to write technical standards for the Network. The standards must cover instruments, data formats, communications, secure data‑sharing, and AI-assisted experiment workflows. NIST must finish the standards within 180 days after all nodes are designated and update them periodically.
Program ends September 30, 2031
If enacted, the Network’s authorities and any programs created by the Act would terminate on September 30, 2031. That date would stop the legal authority for designations, standards, assessments, and associated program funding under this Act.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Fetterman, John [D-PA]
PA • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov