A bipartisan group of senators introduced the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) Reauthorization Act on January 8, 2025. According to the bill’s lead sponsors, Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Todd Young (R-IN), the legislation would to accelerate quantum technology development and real-world applications that are vital to U.S. national security and global economic competitiveness.
The NQI was established by Congress in 2018. The new bill would reauthorize existing provisions of the NQI while making several important changes, including:
- Extending the National Quantum Initiative by five years to December 2034. Reauthorizes quantum research, education and development initiatives across NIST, NSF and NASA.
- Requiring the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop an international quantum cooperation strategy to coordinate R&D activities with allies of the United States.
- Creating new prize challenges to accelerate the development of quantum applications and algorithms through public-private collaboration.
- Directing the Secretary of Commerce to submit a plan to Congress to strengthen quantum supply chain resilience.
- Establishing up to three new NIST quantum centers to advance research in quantum sensing, measurement and engineering.
- Creating five new NSF Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education, a quantum workforce coordination hub and quantum testbeds.
- For the first time, authorizing NASA quantum R&D activities including quantum satellite communications and quantum sensing research initiatives.