National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Young, Todd [R-IN]
In Committee
Summary
The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026 would expand federal coordination and funding to scale up U.S. quantum R&D and supply chains. It would also push workforce development, research security, and international cooperation to accelerate quantum computing, sensing, and networking while guarding against foreign risks.
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- Researchers and students: would expand NSF and NIST programs, authorize up to 10 NSF centers, create traineeships and teacher programs, and fund testbeds and facility upgrades to broaden access and talent pipelines.
- Industry, startups, and manufacturers: would require a critical quantum supply chain study and action plan, promote domestic scale-up, restrict use of components from countries or entities of concern, and create prize challenges to accelerate commercialization.
- Federal agencies and national security officials: would strengthen interagency coordination by adding State, DHS, NASA, and OSTP roles, mandate a post-quantum cryptography deployment framework, and align research-security measures across agencies.
*Authorizes federal funding that could total roughly $425 million for NIST and $125 million for NASA across FY2026–2030, plus up to $270 million for three NIST centers, a potential $820 million of authorized spending through 2030.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Help for quantum-safe cryptography
If enacted and after NIST issues voluntary post‑quantum standards, NIST would promote and publish guidance for post‑quantum cryptography and could provide technical help to high‑risk infrastructure providers. NIST may also set up a grant program to help entities at high risk of quantum crypto attacks pay reasonable costs to adopt those standards, with award rules set by NIST after consulting CISA and sector agencies.
NASA funding for quantum research
If enacted, NASA would start or expand quantum research work and must send Congress a strategy within 180 days listing budgets and priorities. Subject to appropriations and NASA budgets, the Administrator could allocate up to $25,000,000 per year for each fiscal year 2026 through 2030 to carry out NASA quantum activities.
Quantum supply chains and incentives
If enacted, Commerce and Energy must map critical quantum supply chains and give Congress a joint study within 2 years and a plan within 3 years. OSTP must review regulatory barriers to quantum research within 540 days and report 180 days after that, then every 5 years. Federal agencies could run prize competitions, and a Program Subcommittee would identify federal quantum use cases and invite agencies to make 'Quantum On‑ramp' adoption plans. Prize contests and planning would run if Congress provides funding.
More quantum education and training
If enacted, NSF would expand quantum education and training. NSF could fund competitive fellowships and scholarships for U.S. STEM students who show interest in quantum. NSF could fund traineeships for U.S. citizen graduate students in quantum master's or doctoral programs. NSF would encourage more undergraduate Research Experiences for Undergraduates and support cooperative programs linking colleges with employers. NSF would fund a national Hub that must include at least four colleges (two community colleges) for five years and report progress to Congress in three years. NSF could give grants to upgrade research facilities and increase the number of large multidisciplinary quantum centers from five to ten.
Research security and foreign limits
If enacted, the bill would let NIST establish 1–3 federally-backed quantum centers with five-year awards and up to $18,000,000 per center per year for FY2026–FY2030, subject to appropriations. It would also require Title II activities to follow federal research-security rules. The bill would bar some international funding or cooperation: funds could not go to colleges with Confucius Institute contracts or to research with listed foreign countries or entities of concern, though participation in consensus international standards is allowed. Commerce would help define which countries or entities are "of concern."
End nanotech and NQI authorities
If enacted, the National Nanotechnology Program would end 180 days after enactment and OSTP must brief Congress on a wind‑down plan within 90 days. Also, authority for core parts of the National Quantum Initiative would terminate on December 30, 2034, setting a statutory end date for those program powers.
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
Mike Rounds
SD • R
Sponsored 1/8/2026
Charles Schumer
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
Roger Wicker
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
John Hickenlooper
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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