National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026

This bill reauthorizes and expands the National Quantum Initiative Act to accelerate U.S. quantum information science, engineering, and technology research, development, workforce, and international cooperation. It extends the program's authority through 2034, adds new agencies and centers, and establishes new strategies and prize challenges.

Sec. 2, Definitions: Adds definitions for 'Federal laboratory' and 'foreign country of concern,' the latter including covered nations under U.S. Code and countries deemed detrimental by the Secretary of Commerce with other officials.

Sec. 3, Purposes: Expands goals to include developing a domestic workforce pipeline, retaining international talent consistent with security, adding training at primary and secondary levels, and facilitating quantum-hybrid applications and emerging technologies.

Sec. 4, National Quantum Initiative Program: Broadens the program to include near-, medium-, and long-term demonstration, infrastructure, standards engagement, and interagency coordination for quantum science, engineering, and technology.

Sec. 5, National Quantum Coordination Office: Requires the office's staff to be detailed from specified agencies and expands its coordination duties to include workforce, international activities, and various consortia and centers.

Sec. 6, Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science: Adds the Departments of Health and Human Services, State, and Homeland Security to the subcommittee and expands its duties to include quantum application development, demonstration, skillset diversity, and comparative benchmarking with allies.

Sec. 7, National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee: Revises member qualifications to include representatives from industry, small businesses, universities, and federal labs, and expands the committee's scope to cover demonstrations, standards, STEM education, technology transfer, and research security.

Sec. 8, Subcommittee on Economic and Security Implications: Adds the Department of State and NASA to the subcommittee and expands its focus to include supply chains, engineering, and export controls.

Sec. 9, International Quantum Cooperation Strategy: Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a strategy within one year for collaborative international partnerships to advance quantum information science.

Sec. 10, Prize Challenges: Authorizes federal agencies to conduct prize competitions to accelerate quantum applications and algorithms, with measurable performance goals.

Sec. 11, Sunset: Extends the authority for key program sections until December 30, 2034.

Sec. 12, NIST Activities and Quantum Consortium: Expands NIST's research to include post-quantum cryptography, quantum supply chains, and demonstration projects, and updates the quantum consortium's goals.

Sec. 13, NIST Quantum Centers: Authorizes NIST to establish up to three centers through a competitive process to accelerate quantum research, development, deployment, and standardization.

Sec. 14, NSF Research and Education: Expands NSF's quantum information science program to include engineering and technology, and adds new research areas like quantum sensing and networking.

Sec. 15, Multidisciplinary Centers: Increases the number of NSF multidisciplinary centers from 5 to 10 and expands their scope to include technology, health, and international collaborations.

Sec. 16, QREW Coordination Hub: Directs NSF to award a consortium to establish a hub for workforce development, including at least four higher education institutions and two community colleges.

Sec. 17, NSF Cryptography Research: Amends the Cyber Security Research and Development Act to include post-quantum cryptography in NSF's research.

Sec. 18, NASA Quantum Activities: Authorizes NASA to conduct quantum research for space and aeronautics, with a strategy due within 180 days.

Sec. 19, Comptroller General Review: Requires a review within one year to reduce duplicative paperwork and expedite access to federal facilities for researchers.

Sec. 20, Regulatory Barriers Review: Requires the Office of Science and Technology Policy to identify and assess regulatory barriers to quantum technology development within 540 days.

Sec. 21, Sunset of National Nanotechnology Program: Terminates the National Nanotechnology Program 180 days after enactment, with a wind-down plan due within 90 days.

Sec. 22, Clerical Amendments: Updates the table of contents to reflect new sections and titles added by this act.