§8831 National Institute of Standards and Technology Activities and Quantum Consortium

Summary

The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology must lead efforts to grow U.S. quantum science and technology. The Director must support both basic and practical research and build the measurement and standards tools needed for commercial quantum products. The Director must use NIST programs, and work with other federal agencies, to train more quantum scientists. The Director must do research and help create standards for quantum cryptography and for classical cryptography that resists quantum attacks. The Director must also work on standards for quantum networking, communications, and sensing, give technical help to other agencies when a technology is ready for standard rules, form or expand public‑private partnerships and consortia, and enter into contracts, cooperative research, grants, or other agreements as needed. The Director must convene a consortium of stakeholders within 1 year after December 21, 2018 (by December 21, 2019) to identify future measurement, standards, cybersecurity, and other needs for a strong U.S. quantum industry. The consortium must assess current research, find research gaps, and recommend how NIST and the Program can fill those gaps. The Director must report the consortium’s findings to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology not later than 2 years after December 21, 2018 (by December 21, 2020). Up to $80,000,000 may be allocated each fiscal year 2019 through 2023 for these activities, subject to the availability of appropriations.