National Quantum Initiative Act

National Quantum Initiative Act
Long titleAn Act to provide for a coordinated Federal program to accelerate quantum research and development for the economic and national security of the United States.
Enacted bythe 115th United States Congress
EffectiveDecember 21, 2018
Citations
Public law115-368
Legislative history

The National Quantum Initiative Act is an Act of Congress passed on December 13, 2018, and signed into law on December 21, 2018. The law gives the United States a plan for advancing quantum technology, particularly quantum computing.

Act

The act was passed unanimously by the United States Senate and was signed into law by President Donald Trump.[1][2][3][4][5][6] The National Quantum Initiative (NQI) provides an umbrella under which a number of government agencies develop and operate programs related to improving the climate for quantum science and technology in the US, coordinated by the National Quantum Coordination Office.[7] These agencies include the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the United States Department of Energy (DOE).[8] Under the authority of the NQI, the NSF and the DOE have established new research centers and institutes, and NIST has established the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), a consortium of industrial, academic, and governmental entities.[9]

Recent Developments

In May 2025, U.S. lawmakers introduced the bipartisan Quantum Sandbox for Near-Term Applications Act (S.1344), aiming to amend the National Quantum Initiative Act.[10] The proposed legislation seeks to establish a public-private partnership to accelerate the development of near-term quantum applications by creating testbeds—referred to as "quantum sandboxes"—for innovators to test quantum technologies in real-world environments. The initiative focuses on applications that can be developed and deployed within 24 months, with emphasis on sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and healthcare.[11][12]

Texas Quantum Initiative

In May 2025, the Texas House of Representatives passed House Bill 4751, establishing the Texas Quantum Initiative. The legislation aims to position Texas as a national leader in quantum technology by fostering advancements in quantum computing, networking, and sensing technologies. The initiative outlines the development of a comprehensive strategic plan, the attraction of quantum projects and partners to Texas, expansion of workforce training opportunities, and support for developing a quantum manufacturing supply chain within the state. An executive committee appointed by the governor will oversee the initiative, and a dedicated fund will be established to support its activities. The bill is scheduled to take effect on September 1, 2025, pending approval by the Texas Senate and the governor.[13][14]

References

  1. ^ "President Trump has signed a $1.2 billon law to boost US quantum tech". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  2. ^ "H.R.6227 - National Quantum Initiative Act". Congress.gov. December 21, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  3. ^ Loftus, Tom (December 20, 2018). "The Morning Download: Quantum Computing Goes to Washington". WSJ. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  4. ^ "Trump signs legislation to boost quantum computing research with $1.2 billion". GeekWire. December 22, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  5. ^ 115th Congress (2018) (June 26, 2018). "H.R. 6227 (115th)". Legislation. GovTrack.us. Retrieved February 11, 2019. National Quantum Initiative Act{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Raymer, Michael G.; Monroe, Christopher (2019). "The US National Quantum Initiative". Quantum Science and Technology. 4 (2): 020504. Bibcode:2019QS&T....4b0504R. doi:10.1088/2058-9565/ab0441.
  7. ^ "National Quantum Coordination Office (NQCO)". National Quantum Initiative. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  8. ^ "National Quantum Initiative Signed into Law". www.aip.org. January 4, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  9. ^ "Home". QED-C. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  10. ^ "U.S. lawmakers propose Quantum Sandbox to accelerate near-term applications". The Quantum Insider. May 10, 2025. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  11. ^ "U.S. lawmakers propose Quantum Sandbox to accelerate near-term applications". The Quantum Insider. May 10, 2025. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  12. ^ "S.1344 - Quantum Sandbox for Near-Term Applications Act of 2025". Congress.gov. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  13. ^ "Even Quantum is Bigger in Texas: Texas House Passes Bill to Launch Quantum Initiative". The Quantum Insider. May 8, 2025. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  14. ^ "Texas House Bill 4751 establishes Quantum Initiative to lead national quantum industry". Citizen Portal. May 8, 2025. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
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