First Look: National Quantum Initiative Act (S 3143/ HR 6227, 115th Congress) Download PDF
Supports the United States’ leadership in the research and development of quantum science and technology.

Supports the United States’ leadership in the research and development of quantum science and technology.
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Bills S 3143 and HR 6227 are related proposals in the Senate and House to support the United States’ leadership in the research and development of quantum science and technology. The two overarching aims of these bills is to strengthen the country’s quantum science research capabilities and workforce as well as improve Federal planning and coordination of quantum science as it is used by the government.
To accomplish these aims, Title I of bills S 3143 and HR 6227, “National Quantum Initiative”, call for the creation of investments in quantum science and technology through 2030 including:
Under title II of bills S 3143 and HR 6227, “National Institute of Standards and Technology Quantum Activities”, NIST is directed to assist the Initiative described in title I. Specifically, NIST is to:
To accomplish this directive, NIST will be provided up to $80 million dollars annually from the Department of Commerce from 2019 till 2023.
Under title III of bills S 3143 and HR 6227, “National Science Foundation and Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education”, the NSF is directed to carry out research and education programs to bolster quantum science research. Specifically, the NSF is directed to:
The NSF is also directed to work with other relevant Federal agencies to award grants to institutes of higher education and/or eligible nonprofits to create up to five Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education. These Centers will facilitate the following:
Eligible candidates for funding to establish a center must apply to the NSF and include the following information:
As with title II, the directives described here will be funded by the NSF in the amount of $50 million annually until 2023.
Under title IV of bills HR 6227 (note S 3143 only includes titles I-III), “Department of Energy Research and National Quantum Information Science Research Centers”, the DOE is directed to create and pursue its own goals in basic quantum information science research and development. To do so, the DOE is to establish and coordinate up to five National Quantum Science Research Centers through a competitive, merit-reviewed grant process eligible to the National Laboratories, academia, and other research centers. Selected candidate Centers will collaborate with the DOE research centers including the Nanoscale Science Research Centers, the Energy Frontier Research Centers, and the Energy Innovation Hubs. Selected candidate Centers will also receive funding for five years with the opportunity to reapply for an additional five years of funding. Up to $125 million dollars from the DOE will be available annually until 2023 to fund these Centers.
While traditional computers rely on storing and reading information in binary bits, quantum computers make use of new understandings of quantum mechanics that allow information to be read and stored exponentially faster and simultaneously on non-binary quantum bits or “qubits”. While quantum computing can exponentially increase the abilities of single computers, advancement in high-performance computing enables the simultaneous application of multiple sets of computers, called “clusters”, to solve problems. Both quantum and high-performance computing allow for faster and more efficient problem solving, however these new capabilities could also be applied to nefarious uses that will have to be guarded against.
Bill S 3143 was first introduced in the Senate on June 26, 2018 and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. On August 1, 2018, the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation reported the bill favorably.
Bill HR 6227 was introduced in the House on June 26, 2018 and subsequently referred to the House Committee on Space, Science, and Technology.
Sponsor: Senator John Thune (R-SD)
Cosponsors:
Sponsor: Lamar Smith (R-TX-21)
Duke SciPol, “First Look: National Quantum Initiative Act (S 3143/ HR 6227, 115th Congress)” available at http://scipol.duke.edu/content/first-look-national-quantum-initiative-act-s-3143-hr-6227-115th-congress (08/3/2018).