Summary#
This bill would amend the National Quantum Initiative Act to expand and focus the Department of Energy (DOE) work on quantum information science, engineering, and technology. It directs DOE to run research, development, and demonstration programs; operate National Quantum Information Science Research Centers; create a quantum instrumentation and foundry program; support quantum networking research; expand cloud and software access for users; and develop a 10-year strategic plan for hybrid high-performance computing that can integrate quantum and other accelerators.
The bill also adds industry outreach to help move DOE research toward commercial use, requires a supply chain study, creates a university-led traineeship program, and sets limits and conditions on funding and foreign partnerships.
What it means for you#
- Researchers and National Laboratories: DOE would fund and operate centers, testbeds, and instrumentation to support quantum hardware, software, and materials research.
- Industry and small businesses: The bill directs DOE to engage industry, promote commercialization, and, to the extent practicable, provide industry access to specialized equipment, testbeds, and infrastructure.
- Students and workforce: The bill creates a traineeship program and calls for workforce development and training pathways related to quantum network and computing investments.
- Institutions of higher education: Some funding restrictions apply; for example, institutions that maintain contracts with Confucius Institutes could not receive funds under one DOE section. The bill also restricts DOE-funded collaboration with certain foreign countries or entities the Secretary identifies as of concern.
- Federal agencies: DOE is directed to coordinate with other agencies such as NSF, NIST, NASA, and DARPA.
Expenses#
The bill specifies or limits several funding amounts in the text:
- Up to $175,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for activities under the DOE quantum information science program (section 401 activities).
- Up to $20,000,000 per year for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for an early-stage quantum high-performance computing research and development program.
- Up to $5,000,000 per year for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for the university-led traineeship program.
- Up to $50,000,000 per year for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for the DOE Quantum Instrumentation and Foundry Program.
- National Quantum Information Science Research Centers: the per-center funding level in the Centers provision is increased in the text from $25,000,000 to $35,000,000 for the 2026–2030 period.
- The user expansion program (section 404) includes specific annual amounts for later years: $38,000,000 for FY2028; $39,900,000 for FY2029; and $41,895,000 for FY2030.
Proponents' View#
No publicly available information.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.