[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


Public Law 115-368
115th Congress

An Act


 
To provide for a coordinated Federal program to accelerate quantum
research and development for the economic and national security of the
United States. <>

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) <>  Short Title.--This Act may be cited
as the ``National Quantum Initiative Act''.

(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Purposes.

TITLE I--NATIONAL QUANTUM INITIATIVE

Sec. 101. National Quantum Initiative Program.
Sec. 102. National Quantum Coordination Office.
Sec. 103. Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science.
Sec. 104. National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee.
Sec. 105. Sunset.

TITLE II--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY QUANTUM
ACTIVITIES

Sec. 201. National Institute of Standards and Technology activities and
quantum consortium.

TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION QUANTUM ACTIVITIES

Sec. 301. Quantum information science research and education program.
Sec. 302. Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education.

TITLE IV--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY QUANTUM ACTIVITIES

Sec. 401. Quantum Information Science Research program.
Sec. 402. National Quantum Information Science Research Centers.

SEC. 2. <>  DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Advisory committee.--The term ``Advisory Committee''
means the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee
established under section 104(a).
(2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of
the Senate; and
(C) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
of the House of Representatives.

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(3) Coordination office.--The term ``Coordination Office''
means the National Quantum Coordination Office established under
section 102(a).
(4) Institution of higher education.--The term ``institution
of higher education'' has the meaning given the term in section
101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(5) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the National
Quantum Initiative Program implemented under section 101(a).
(6) Quantum information science.--The term ``quantum
information science'' means the use of the laws of quantum
physics for the storage, transmission, manipulation, computing,
or measurement of information.
(7) Subcommittee.--The term ``Subcommittee'' means the
Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science of the National
Science and Technology Council established under section 103(a).
SEC. 3. <>  PURPOSES.

The purpose of this Act is to ensure the continued leadership of the
United States in quantum information science and its technology
applications by--
(1) supporting research, development, demonstration, and
application of quantum information science and technology--
(A) to expand the number of researchers, educators,
and students with training in quantum information
science and technology to develop a workforce pipeline;
(B) to promote the development and inclusion of
multidisciplinary curriculum and research opportunities
for quantum information science at the undergraduate,
graduate, and postdoctoral level;
(C) to address basic research knowledge gaps,
including computational research gaps;
(D) to promote the further development of facilities
and centers available for quantum information science
and technology research, testing and education; and
(E) to stimulate research on and promote more rapid
development of quantum-based technologies;
(2) improving the interagency planning and coordination of
Federal research and development of quantum information science
and technology;
(3) maximizing the effectiveness of the Federal Government's
quantum information science and technology research,
development, and demonstration programs;
(4) promoting collaboration among the Federal Government,
Federal laboratories, industry, and universities; and
(5) promoting the development of international standards for
quantum information science and technology security--
(A) to facilitate technology innovation and private
sector commercialization; and
(B) to meet economic and national security goals.

[[Page 5094]]

TITLE I--NATIONAL QUANTUM INITIATIVE

SEC. 101. <>  NATIONAL QUANTUM
INITIATIVE PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--The President shall implement a National Quantum
Initiative Program.
(b) Requirements.--In carrying out the Program, the President,
acting through Federal agencies, councils, working groups,
subcommittees, and the Coordination Office, as the President considers
appropriate, shall--
(1) establish the goals, priorities, and metrics for a 10-
year plan to accelerate development of quantum information
science and technology applications in the United States;
(2) invest in fundamental Federal quantum information
science and technology research, development, demonstration, and
other activities to achieve the goals established under
paragraph (1);
(3) invest in activities to develop a quantum information
science and technology workforce pipeline;
(4) provide for interagency planning and coordination of
Federal quantum information science and technology research,
development, demonstration, standards engagement, and other
activities under the Program;
(5) partner with industry and universities to leverage
knowledge and resources; and
(6) leverage existing Federal investments efficiently to
advance Program goals and priorities established under paragraph
(1).
SEC. 102. <>  NATIONAL QUANTUM COORDINATION
OFFICE.

(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general <> .--The President shall
establish a National Quantum Coordination Office.
(2) Administration.--The Coordination Office shall have--
(A) <>  a Director
appointed by the Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy, in consultation with the Secretary of
Commerce, the Director of the National Science
Foundation, and the Secretary of Energy; and
(B) staff comprised of employees detailed from the
Federal departments and agencies described in section
103(b).

(b) Responsibilities.--The Coordination Office shall--
(1) provide technical and administrative support to--
(A) the Subcommittee; and
(B) the Advisory Committee;
(2) oversee interagency coordination of the Program,
including by encouraging and supporting joint agency
solicitation and selection of applications for funding of
activities under the Program;
(3) serve as the point of contact on Federal civilian
quantum information science and technology activities for
Federal departments and agencies, industry, universities
professional societies, State governments, and such other
persons as the Coordination Office considers appropriate to
exchange technical and programmatic information;
(4) ensure coordination among the collaborative ventures or
consortia established under section 201(a), Multidisciplinary

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Centers for Quantum Research and Education established under
section 302(a), and the National Quantum Information Science
Research Centers established under section 402(a);
(5) conduct public outreach, including the dissemination of
findings and recommendations of the Advisory Committee, as
appropriate;
(6) promote access to and early application of the
technologies, innovations, and expertise derived from Program
activities to agency missions and systems across the Federal
Government, and to industry, including startup companies; and
(7) promote access, through appropriate Federal Government
agencies, and an open and competitive merit-reviewed process, to
existing quantum computing and communication systems developed
by industry, universities, and Federal laboratories to the
general user community in pursuit of discovery of the new
applications of such systems.

(c) Funding.--Funds necessary to carry out the activities of the
Coordination Office shall be made available each fiscal year by the
Federal departments and agencies described in section 103(b), as
determined by the Director of the Office of Science and Technology
Policy.
SEC. 103. <>  SUBCOMMITTEE ON QUANTUM
INFORMATION SCIENCE.

(a) Establishment <> .--The President shall
establish, through the National Science and Technology Council, the
Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science.

(b) Membership.--The Subcommittee shall include a representative
of--
(1) the National Institute of Standards and Technology;
(2) the National Science Foundation;
(3) the Department of Energy;
(4) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
(5) the Department of Defense;
(6) the Office of the Director of National Intelligence;
(7) the Office of Management and Budget;
(8) the Office of Science and Technology Policy; and
(9) such other Federal department or agency as the President
considers appropriate.

(c) Chairpersons.--The Subcommittee shall be jointly chaired by the
Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the
Director of the National Science Foundation, and the Secretary of
Energy.
(d) Responsibilities <> .--The Subcommittee
shall--
(1) <>  coordinate the quantum
information science and technology research, information sharing
about international standards development and use, and education
activities and programs of the Federal agencies;
(2) establish goals and priorities of the Program, based on
identified knowledge and workforce gaps and other national
needs;
(3) <>  assess and recommend
Federal infrastructure needs to support the Program;
(4) assess the status, development, and diversity of the
United States quantum information science workforce;
(5) assess the global outlook for quantum information
science research and development efforts;

[[Page 5096]]

(6) <>  evaluate opportunities for
international cooperation with strategic allies on research and
development in quantum information science and technology; and
(7) <>  propose a coordinated interagency
budget for the Program to the Office of Management and Budget to
ensure the maintenance of a balanced quantum information science
research portfolio and an appropriate level of research effort.

(e) Strategic Plans <> .--In order to guide the
activities of the Program and meet the goals, priorities, and
anticipated outcomes of the Federal departments and agencies described
in subsection (b), the Subcommittee shall--
(1) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, develop a 5-year strategic plan;
(2) not later than 6 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, develop a subsequent 5-year strategic plan; and
(3) periodically update each plan, as necessary.

(f) Submittal to Congress.--The chairpersons of the Subcommittee
shall submit to the President, the Advisory Committee, and the
appropriate committees of Congress each strategic plan developed under
subsection (e) and any updates thereto.
(g) Annual Program Budget Report.--
(1) In general.--Each year, concurrent with the annual
budget request submitted by the President to Congress under
section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, the chairpersons
of the Subcommittee shall submit to the appropriate committees
of Congress and such other committees of Congress as the
chairpersons deem appropriate a report on the budget for the
Program.
(2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1)
shall include the following:
(A) The budget of the Program for the current fiscal
year, for each Federal department and agency described
in subsection (b).
(B) The budget proposed for the Program for the next
fiscal year, for each Federal department and agency
described in subsection (b).
(C) <>  An analysis of the progress
made toward achieving the goals and priorities
established under subsection (d)(2).
SEC. 104. <>  NATIONAL QUANTUM INITIATIVE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

(a) In General <> .--The President shall establish
a National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee.

(b) Qualifications <> .--The
Advisory Committee shall consist of members, appointed by the President,
who are representative of industry, universities, and Federal
laboratories and are qualified to provide advice and information on
quantum information science and technology research, development,
demonstrations, standards, education, technology transfer, commercial
application, or national security and economic concerns.

(c) Membership Consideration <> .--In selecting
the members of the Advisory Committee, the President may seek and give
consideration to recommendations from the Congress, industry, the
scientific community (including the National Academy of Sciences,
scientific professional societies, and universities), the defense
community, and other appropriate organizations.

(d) Duties.--

[[Page 5097]]

(1) In general <> .--The Advisory
Committee shall advise the President and the Subcommittee and
make recommendations for the President to consider when
reviewing and revising the Program.
(2) Independent assessments.--The Advisory Committee shall
conduct periodic, independent assessments of--
(A) any trends or developments in quantum
information science and technology;
(B) the progress made in implementing the Program;
(C) the management, coordination, implementation,
and activities of the Program;
(D) whether the Program activities and the goals and
priorities established under section 103(d)(2) are
helping to maintain United States leadership in quantum
information science and technology;
(E) whether a need exists to revise the Program;
(F) whether opportunities exist for international
cooperation with strategic allies on research and
development in, and the development of open standards
for, quantum information science and technology; and
(G) whether national security, societal, economic,
legal, and workforce concerns are adequately addressed
by the Program.

(e) Reports <> .--Not later than 180 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, and at least biennially
thereafter, the Advisory Committee shall submit to the President, the
appropriate committees of Congress, and such other committees of
Congress as the Advisory Committee deems appropriate a report on the
findings of the independent assessment under subsection (d), including
any recommendations for improvements to the Program.

(f) Travel Expenses of Non-Federal Members.--Non-Federal members of
the Advisory Committee, while attending meetings of the Advisory
Committee or while otherwise serving at the request of the head of the
Advisory Committee away from their homes or regular places of business,
may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States
Code, for individuals in the Government serving without pay. Nothing in
this subsection shall be construed to prohibit members of the Advisory
Committee who are officers or employees of the United States from being
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in
accordance with existing law.
(g) FACA Exemption.--The Advisory Committee shall be exempt from
section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
SEC. 105. <>  SUNSET.

(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the authority
to carry out sections 101, 102, 103, and 104 shall terminate on the date
that is 11 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(b) Extension <> .--The President
may continue the activities under such sections if the President
determines that such activities are necessary to meet national economic
or national security needs.

[[Page 5098]]

TITLE II--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY QUANTUM
ACTIVITIES

SEC. 201. <>  NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS
AND TECHNOLOGY ACTIVITIES AND QUANTUM
CONSORTIUM.

(a) National Institute of Standards and Technology Activities.--As
part of the Program, the Director of the National Institute of Standards
and Technology--
(1) shall continue to support and expand basic and applied
quantum information science and technology research and
development of measurement and standards infrastructure
necessary to advance commercial development of quantum
applications;
(2) <>  shall use the existing
programs of the National Institute of Standards and Technology,
in collaboration with other Federal departments and agencies, as
appropriate, to train scientists in quantum information science
and technology to increase participation in the quantum fields;
(3) shall establish or expand collaborative ventures or
consortia with other public or private sector entities,
including industry, universities, and Federal laboratories for
the purpose of advancing the field of quantum information
science and engineering; and
(4) <>  may enter into and perform
such contracts, including cooperative research and development
arrangements and grants and cooperative agreements or other
transactions, as may be necessary in the conduct of the work of
the National Institute of Standards and Technology and on such
terms as the Director considers appropriate, in furtherance of
the purposes of this Act.

(b) Quantum Consortium.--
(1) In general <> .--Not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology shall convene a
consortium of stakeholders to identify the future measurement,
standards, cybersecurity, and other appropriate needs for
supporting the development of a robust quantum information
science and technology industry in the United States.
(2) Goals.--The goals of the consortium shall be--
(A) <>  to assess the current
research on the needs identified in paragraph (1);
(B) to identify any gaps in the research necessary
to meet the needs identified in paragraph (1); and
(C) <>  to provide
recommendations on how the National Institute of
Standards and Technology and the Program can address the
gaps in the necessary research identified in
subparagraph (B).
(3) Report to congress.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology shall submit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House
of Representatives a report summarizing the findings of the
consortium.

[[Page 5099]]

(c) Funding.--The Director of the National Institute of Standards
and Technology shall allocate up to $80,000,000 to carry out the
activities under this section for each of fiscal years 2019 through
2023, subject to the availability of appropriations. Amounts made
available to carry out this section shall be derived from amounts
appropriated or otherwise made available to the National Institute of
Standards and Technology.

TITLE III--NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION QUANTUM ACTIVITIES

SEC. 301. <>  QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM.

(a) In General <> .--The Director of the National
Science Foundation shall carry out a basic research and education
program on quantum information science and engineering, including the
competitive award of grants to institutions of higher education or
eligible nonprofit organizations (or consortia thereof).

(b) Program Components.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out the program under
subsection (a), the Director of the National Science Foundation
shall carry out activities that--
(A) support basic interdisciplinary quantum
information science and engineering research; and
(B) support human resources development in all
aspects of quantum information science and engineering.
(2) Requirements.--The activities described in paragraph (1)
shall include--
(A) <>  using the existing
programs of the National Science Foundation, in
collaboration with other Federal departments and
agencies, as appropriate--
(i) to improve the teaching and learning of
quantum information science and engineering at the
undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels;
and
(ii) to increase participation in the quantum
fields, including by individuals identified in
sections 33 and 34 of the Science and Engineering
Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a, 1885b);
(B) formulating goals for quantum information
science and engineering research and education
activities to be supported by the National Science
Foundation;
(C) leveraging the collective body of knowledge from
existing quantum information science and engineering
research and education activities;
(D) <>  coordinating research
efforts funded through existing programs across the
directorates of the National Science Foundation; and
(E) engaging with other Federal departments and
agencies, research communities, and potential users of
information produced under this section.

(c) Graduate Traineeships.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation may establish a program to provide traineeships to graduate
students at institutions of higher education within the United States
who are citizens of the United States and who choose to pursue masters
or doctoral degrees in quantum information science.

[[Page 5100]]

SEC. 302. <>  MULTIDISCIPLINARY CENTERS FOR
QUANTUM RESEARCH AND EDUCATION.

(a) In General <> .--The Director of
the National Science Foundation, in consultation with other Federal
departments and agencies, as appropriate, shall award grants to
institutions of higher education or eligible nonprofit organizations (or
consortia thereof) to establish at least 2, but not more than 5,
Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education (referred
to in this section as ``Centers'').

(b) Collaborations.--A collaboration receiving an award under this
subsection may include institutions of higher education, nonprofit
organizations, and private sector entities.
(c) Purpose.--The purpose of the Centers shall be to conduct basic
research and education activities in support of the goals and priorities
established under section 103(d)(2), including by--
(1) continuing to advance quantum information science and
engineering;
(2) supporting curriculum and workforce development in
quantum information science and engineering; and
(3) fostering innovation by bringing industry perspectives
to quantum research and workforce development, including by
leveraging industry knowledge and resources.

(d) Requirements.--
(1) In general.--An institution of higher education or an
eligible nonprofit organization (or a consortium thereof)
seeking funding under this section shall submit an application
to the Director of the National Science Foundation at such time,
in such manner, and containing such information as the Director
may require.
(2) Applications.--Each application under paragraph (1)
shall include a description of--
(A) how the Center will work with other research
institutions and industry partners to leverage expertise
in quantum science, education and curriculum
development, and technology transfer;
(B) how the Center will promote active collaboration
among researchers in multiple disciplines involved in
quantum research, including physics, engineering,
mathematics, computer science, chemistry, and material
science;
(C) how the Center will support long-term and short-
term workforce development in the quantum field;
(D) how the Center can support an innovation
ecosystem to work with industry to translate Center
research into applications; and
(E) a long-term plan to become self-sustaining after
the expiration of funding under this section.

(e) Selection and Duration.--
(1) In general.--Each Center established under this section
is authorized to carry out activities for a period of 5 years.
(2) Reapplication.--An awardee may reapply for additional,
subsequent periods of 5 years on a competitive, merit-reviewed
basis.
(3) Termination.--Consistent with the authorities of the
National Science Foundation, the Director of the National
Science Foundation may terminate an underperforming Center for
cause during the performance period.

[[Page 5101]]

(f) Funding.--The Director of the National Science Foundation shall
allocate up to $10,000,000 for each Center established under this
section for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, subject to the
availability of appropriations. Amounts made available to carry out this
section shall be derived from amounts appropriated or otherwise made
available to the National Science Foundation.

TITLE IV--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY QUANTUM ACTIVITIES

SEC. 401. <>  QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE
RESEARCH PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall carry out a basic
research program on quantum information science.
(b) Program Components.--In carrying out the program under
subsection (a), the Secretary of Energy shall--
(1) formulate goals for quantum information science research
to be supported by the Department of Energy;
(2) leverage the collective body of knowledge from existing
quantum information science research;
(3) provide research experiences and training for additional
undergraduate and graduate students in quantum information
science, including in the fields of--
(A) quantum information theory;
(B) quantum physics;
(C) quantum computational science;
(D) applied mathematics and algorithm development;
(E) quantum networking;
(F) quantum sensing and detection; and
(G) materials science and engineering;
(4) <>  coordinate research efforts
funded through existing programs across the Department of
Energy, including--
(A) the Nanoscale Science Research Centers;
(B) the Energy Frontier Research Centers;
(C) the Energy Innovation Hubs;
(D) the National Laboratories;
(E) the Advanced Research Projects Agency; and
(F) the National Quantum Information Science
Research Centers; and
(5) <>  coordinate with other Federal
departments and agencies, research communities, and potential
users of information produced under this section.
SEC. 402. <>  NATIONAL QUANTUM INFORMATION
SCIENCE RESEARCH CENTERS.

(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general <> .--The Secretary of
Energy, acting through the Director of the Office of Science
(referred to in this section as the ``Director''), shall ensure
that the Office of Science carries out a program, in
consultation with other Federal departments and agencies, as
appropriate, to establish and operate at least 2, but not more
than 5, National Quantum Information Science Research Centers
(referred to in this section as ``Centers'') to conduct basic
research to accelerate scientific breakthroughs in quantum
information science and technology and to support research
conducted under section 401.
(2) Requirements.--

[[Page 5102]]

(A) Competitive, merit-reviewed process.--The
Centers shall be established through a competitive,
merit-reviewed process.
(B) Applications.--An eligible applicant under this
subsection shall submit to the Director an application
at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Director determines to be
appropriate.
(C) Eligible applicants.--The Director shall
consider applications from National Laboratories,
institutions of higher education, research centers,
multi-institutional collaborations, and any other entity
that the Secretary of Energy determines to be
appropriate.

(b) Collaborations.--A collaboration that receives an award under
this section may include multiple types of research institutions and
private sector entities.
(c) Requirements.--To the maximum extent practicable, the Centers
developed, constructed, operated, or maintained under this section shall
serve the needs of the Department of Energy, industry, the academic
community, and other relevant entities to create and develop processes
for the purpose of advancing basic research in quantum information
science and improving the competitiveness of the United States.
(d) Coordination.--The Secretary of Energy shall ensure the
coordination, and avoid unnecessary duplication, of the activities of
each Center with the activities of--
(1) other research entities of the Department of Energy,
including--
(A) the Nanoscale Science Research Centers;
(B) the Energy Frontier Research Centers;
(C) the Energy Innovation Hubs; and
(D) the National Laboratories;
(2) institutions of higher education; and
(3) industry.

(e) Duration.--
(1) In general.--Each Center established under this section
is authorized to carry out activities for a period of 5 years.
(2) Reapplication.--An awardee may reapply for additional,
subsequent periods of 5 years. The Director shall approve or
disapprove of each reapplication on a competitive, merit-
reviewed basis.
(3) Termination.--Consistent with the authorities of the
Department of Energy, the Secretary of Energy may terminate an
underperforming Center for cause during the performance period.

(f) Funding.--The Secretary of Energy shall allocate up to
$25,000,000 for each Center established under this section for each of
fiscal years 2019 through 2023, subject to the availability of
appropriations. Amounts made available to carry out this section

[[Page 5103]]

shall be derived from amounts appropriated or otherwise made available
to the Department of Energy.

Approved December 21, 2018.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 6227 (S. 3143):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOUSE REPORTS: No. 115-950 (Comm. on Science, Space, and Technology).
SENATE REPORTS: No. 115-389 (Comm. on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation) accompanying S. 3143.
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 164 (2018):
Sept. 13, considered and passed House.
Dec. 13, considered and passed Senate, amended.
Dec. 19, House concurred in Senate amendment.