[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6384 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 6384

  To expand capacity in quantum information science, engineering, and 
                  technology, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 13, 2023

 Mr. Kean of New Jersey (for himself and Ms. McClellan) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, 
                             and Technology

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To expand capacity in quantum information science, engineering, and 
                  technology, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Expanding Capacity in Quantum 
Information Science, Engineering, and Technology Act'' or the ``Expand 
QISET Act''.

SEC. 2. EXPANDING CAPACITY IN QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, 
              AND TECHNOLOGY (QISET).

    (a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation, 
in consultation with the heads of Federal agencies the Director 
considers appropriate, shall make awards on a competitive, merit-
reviewed basis to eligible institutions of higher education or eligible 
nonprofit organizations (or consortia thereof) to increase research 
capacity, education and infrastructure capacity, and broaden 
participation in quantum information science, engineering, and 
technology and related disciplines, including by--
            (1) supporting curriculum development in quantum 
        information science, engineering, and technology as described 
        in section 301(d) of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15 
        U.S.C. 8841(d));
            (2) building upon the activities carried out under the Next 
        Generation Quantum Leaders Pilot Program authorized under 
        section 10661(f) of the Research and Development, Competition, 
        and Innovation Act (Public Law 117-167; 42 U.S.C. 19261(f)); 
        and
            (3) leveraging the readiness for the involvement of local 
        research and education communities to secure a talent pipeline 
        in quantum information science, engineering, and technology to 
        meet the workforce needs of industry, government, and academia.
    (b) Collaborations.--A collaboration receiving an award under this 
subsection may include institutions of higher education, nonprofit 
organizations, and private sector entities.
    (c) Eligible Institution of Higher Education Defined.--In this 
section, the term ``eligible institution of higher education'' means an 
institution of higher education, that, according to the data published 
by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, is not, 
on average, among the top 100 institutions in Federal research and 
development expenditures during the 3-year period prior to the year of 
the award.
    (d) Requirements.--To receive an award under this section, an 
eligible institution shall submit to the Director of the National 
Science Foundation an application that includes the following:
            (1) A plan to sustain proposed activities beyond the 
        duration of the award.
            (2) Proposed quantum information science, engineering, and 
        technology disciplines and focus areas the eligible institution 
        is prepared to engage in to significantly build up its quantum 
        information science, engineering, and technology research and 
        education capacity.
            (3) A plan for education and workforce development, which 
        may include K-12 and post-secondary education programs and 
        activities, workforce training and career and technical 
        education programs and activities, undergraduate, graduate, and 
        postdoctoral education, and informal education programs and 
        activities.
    (e) Activities.--Awards under this section to support research and 
related activities may include the activities relating to the 
following:
            (1) Development or expansion of research programs in 
        disciplines and focus areas specified in subsection (d)(2).
            (2) Faculty recruitment and professional development in 
        disciplines and focus areas specified in subsection (d)(2).
            (3) Bridge programs focused on preparing post-baccalaureate 
        students for graduate programs in quantum information science, 
        engineering, and technology.
            (4) To build research capacity and infrastructure at an 
        eligible institution in disciplines and focus areas specified 
        in subsection (d)(2).
            (5) An assessment of capacity-building and research 
        infrastructure needs identified in subsection (d)(2).
            (6) Administrative research development support.
            (7) Other activities necessary to build research capacity 
        in quantum information science, engineering, and technology.
    (f) Additional Considerations.--In making awards under this 
section, the Director of the National Science Foundation may also 
consider the following:
            (1) The extent to which the eligible applicant will support 
        students from diverse backgrounds, including first-generation 
        undergraduate students.
            (2) The geographic and institutional diversity of eligible 
        applicants.
            (3) How the eligible applicant can leverage public-private 
        partnerships and existing research partnerships with Federal 
        agencies.
    (g) Duplication.--The Director of the National Science Foundation 
shall ensure awards made under this section are complimentary to and 
not duplicative of existing programs.
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