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Authorizes a State Department program to award competitive matching grants for international quantum research collaborations and researcher exchanges with approved partner countries.
Official title: Require the Secretary of State to establish a quantum cooperation program to enhance international cooperation in quantum information science.
Introduced April 9, 2025 by Jeanne Shaheen · Last progress April 9, 2025
The bill promotes U.S. leadership in quantum science by clarifying definitions, enabling targeted international collaboration, and providing startup funding and exchanges, but it narrows eligible partners and institutions, provides modest temporary funding, and adds compliance burdens that may limit scientific reach and long-term impact.
Researchers and U.S. tech workers gain stronger federal coordination and alignment with the National Quantum Information Science Strategy, boosting U.S. leadership in quantum technology and prioritizing resources toward strategic goals.
Researchers and universities gain access to competitive matching grants to support international quantum research collaborations, creating new funding avenues for joint projects.
Students and early-career researchers receive expanded exchange and training opportunities (multi-day to multi-year visits), increasing hands-on experience and career pathways in quantum fields.
Researchers and universities face constrained international collaboration because grants are limited to Five Eyes or countries with signed quantum statements and funding is prohibited with designated 'foreign adversaries', reducing potential scientific partnerships and complicating lawful collaboration.
The program's $20 million FY2026 authorization is modest relative to quantum research costs, and the 10-year sunset limits long-term funding certainty, constraining sustained impact.
New administrative coordination, reporting, and compliance requirements increase paperwork and administrative costs, which could slow grant awards and burden institutions.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Creates an international university- and nonprofit-focused grant program run by the State Department to fund cooperative quantum information science research and short- to long-term scientist exchanges. Grants are competitive, matching awards that must align with the U.S. National Quantum Information Science Strategy, may only partner with countries that have formal quantum cooperation agreements or are Five Eyes members, and explicitly bar partnerships with designated “foreign adversaries.” The program is authorized $20 million for FY2026, requires coordination with federal science and security offices, must report annually, and sunsets after 10 years.