Sens. Young, Cantwell introduce National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization

"The new legislation would extend the original act's funding timeline to expire in December 2034 and would authorize funding for multiple federal agencies to execute new quantum information science and technology research efforts. That funding includes authorization of $85 million "for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030" for QIST research and consortium activities within the National Institute of Standards and Technology and an additional $25 million for QIST research at NASA, particularly focusing on quantum satellite communication and quantum sensing work."

"NIST would also be instructed to stand up to three new quantum centers dedicated to advancing research in quantum sensing, measurement and engineering, with $18 million available annually from FY2026 to FY2030 for each center. The NSF, in conjunction with leadership at NIST and the Energy Department - along with other federal agencies - would also host three new centers focused on quantum research and education; quantum workforce coordination and development; and quantum testbed activity."

The reauthorization extends the National Quantum Initiative funding timeline to December 2034 and authorizes federal agencies to advance quantum information science and technology research. It authorizes $85 million annually for FY2026–FY2030 for QIST research and consortium activities at NIST and $25 million for NASA QIST projects, emphasizing quantum satellite communication and sensing. NIST would establish up to three new quantum centers with $18 million available annually per center from FY2026–FY2030. NSF, NIST, and the Energy Department would host three centers for research and education, workforce coordination, and testbed activity. The Office of Science and Technology Policy would lead an international quantum cooperation strategy and the reauthorization creates prize challenges to spur algorithms and applications through public-private collaboration.

Read at Nextgov.com