National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026

Bill Number

S. 3597

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Science, Technology, Communications

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-04-14: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Last Updated

2026-04-23T11:03:25Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026 reauthorizes and expands the National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018, which promotes U.S. leadership in quantum information science, engineering, and technology (QIST). The bill aims to advance research, development, education, workforce training, and commercialization of quantum technologies to enhance national security, economic competitiveness, and innovation while addressing supply chain vulnerabilities and international cooperation.

Key Provisions

• Definitions and Purposes: Expands definitions for terms like "quantum applications," "quantum computing," "quantum networking," "quantum sensing," "foreign country of concern," and "supply chain shock" (a disruption event like a cyber attack or natural disaster). Updates purposes to include workforce development, quantum-hybrid applications, international partnerships, and industry maturity.
• National Quantum Initiative Program: Coordinates federal QIST activities across agencies, including research, demonstration, standards, education, and interagency planning. Emphasizes retaining talent, infrastructure, and partnerships with industry, universities, and allies.
• Coordination and Oversight Bodies:
• National Quantum Coordination Office: Manages interagency efforts, tracks workforce and supply chain stability, and promotes quantum adoption.
• Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science: Advises on research, workforce diversity, benchmarking against other countries, and quantum use cases (e.g., integrating with AI).
• National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee: Provides external advice on progress, international comparisons, standards, and economic impacts; conducts annual performance evaluations.
• Subcommittee on Economic and Security Implications: Assesses risks to supply chains, export controls, and coordination between civilian/military research.
• International Quantum Cooperation Strategy: Requires a strategy within one year for partnerships with allies, standards development, talent attraction, supply chain security, and ethical applications to protect human rights.
• Prize Challenges: Authorizes federal agencies to run competitions to accelerate quantum applications like computing, sensing, and cryptography.
• Sunset Provision: Extends the core program authority until December 30, 2034.
• Agency-Specific Activities:
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): Funds research on cryptography, supply chains, and standards; establishes a Quantum Economic Development Consortium; creates up to 3 quantum centers for sensing, manufacturing, and networking; promotes post-quantum cryptography adoption with grants; authorizes $85 million annually (FY2026-2030).
• National Science Foundation (NSF): Supports research, education, traineeships, fellowships, and infrastructure; expands multidisciplinary centers to 10; establishes a Quantum Reskilling, Education, and Workforce (QREW) Hub for curricula and career pathways; funds quantum testbeds for applications; authorizes cryptography research; adds international research with restrictions on foreign entities.
• Department of Energy (DOE): Implied coordination in supply chain studies and testbeds (via amendments).
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): Authorizes QIST research for space/aeronautics (e.g., sensing, communications); establishes initiatives with merit-based reviews; authorizes $25 million annually (FY2026-2030).
• Supply Chain and Security: Mandates mapping quantum supply chains, identifying vulnerabilities, and developing mitigation plans; prohibits funding to entities linked to foreign countries/entities of concern (e.g., no Confucius Institutes); aligns with existing research security laws.
• Reviews and Reports: Comptroller General reviews paperwork and facility access; Office of Science and Technology Policy assesses regulatory barriers every 5 years; annual briefings on activities.
• Other: Sunsets the National Nanotechnology Program 180 days after enactment with a wind-down plan; clerical amendments to the original act.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Extends the original act's sunset from 2023 to 2034 and increases funding authorizations.
• Broadens "quantum information science" to include "engineering and technology" throughout.
• Adds new entities like the International Quantum Cooperation Strategy, QREW Hub, quantum testbeds, NIST quantum centers, and NASA quantum initiatives.
• Enhances workforce focus with fellowships, reskilling, and underrepresented group inclusion; introduces quantum use cases and AI comparisons.
• Strengthens security by defining "foreign entity of concern" (e.g., terrorist organizations, SDN list entities) and prohibiting funding for risky collaborations.
• Expands NIST/NSF roles in standards, international engagement, and post-quantum cryptography (resistant to quantum attacks).
• Terminates the National Nanotechnology Program to streamline federal R&D efforts.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Increases coordination and funding for NIST ($85M/year), NSF (via expanded programs), NASA ($25M/year), and others; reduces duplication through reviews; enhances security protocols, potentially streamlining access to facilities while adding screening for foreign visitors.
• Citizens: Boosts STEM education and workforce opportunities, including reskilling for quantum jobs, potentially creating high-tech careers; promotes ethical tech use to safeguard privacy and rights; may improve public services via quantum applications in health, manufacturing, and infrastructure.
• International Relations: Fosters alliances for shared R&D and standards while restricting cooperation with adversarial nations (e.g., export controls, supply chain protections); positions the U.S. competitively against global programs, aiding diplomacy in emerging tech.

Main Stakeholders

• Federal Agencies: NIST, NSF, DOE, NASA, Department of Commerce, Defense, State, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services for coordination and funding.
• Research and Education Institutions: Universities, community colleges, National Laboratories, and nonprofits receiving grants for centers, testbeds, and education programs.
• Industry and Businesses: Quantum companies, small/medium enterprises, and consortia benefiting from prizes, testbeds, supply chain support, and commercialization; restrictions may limit foreign dependencies.
• Workforce and Students: STEM students, educators, and professionals gaining access to fellowships, training, and job pathways; underrepresented groups prioritized for inclusion.
• International Partners: Allies for collaborative R&D; foreign entities of concern face exclusions.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Aligns with existing laws like the Stevenson-Wydler Act (prize authority) and research security statutes; introduces grant conditions and prohibitions (e.g., no funding to Confucius Institutes), enforceable via appropriations; requires merit-based, competitive processes to ensure fairness.
• Constitutional: Supports First Amendment-protected research and international engagement while balancing national security (e.g., via export controls under the Arms Export Control Act); promotes equal opportunity in education without quotas.
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship signals consensus on tech competitiveness; sunsetting nanotechnology program may redirect resources amid budget debates; emphasis on supply chain resilience addresses geopolitical tensions (e.g., with China); regulatory reviews could lead to streamlined policies, influencing future innovation legislation.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]

Cosponsors (19)

Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA], Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD], Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY], Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA], Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA], Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ], Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT], Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Moreno, Bernie [R-OH], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

Recent Actions

• 2026-04-14: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
• 2026-01-08: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
• 2026-01-08: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

• National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026 — issued 2026-01-08 — PDF (99 pages)