Sponsors (20)
Introduced January 8, 2026 by Todd Young · Last progress January 8, 2026
The bill would significantly accelerate U.S. quantum R&D, workforce development, and national‑security protections through new centers, funding authorities, and stronger interagency coordination — at the cost of higher federal spending, tighter security‑driven limits on international collaboration, increased administrative burdens, and risks that support skews toward applied/commercial uses and larger institutions.
Researchers, university labs, and U.S. tech firms will get sustained and expanded federal support (multi‑year authorizations, center awards, and program funding) that stabilizes quantum R&D and speeds commercialization.
Students, educators, and early‑career scientists will gain expanded education and workforce pathways (K–12 training, standardized curricula, internships, fellowships, and retention efforts) that strengthen the quantum talent pipeline.
Critical infrastructure operators, financial firms, and government agencies will receive technical assistance and policy attention (post‑quantum crypto support, supply‑chain resilience, export control coordination) that improves national security against quantum threats.
U.S. taxpayers face increased federal spending and new program costs (authorizations, center awards, agency activities), creating budget tradeoffs or pressure on other priorities.
Researchers, students, and universities will face tighter limits on international collaboration and funding (blocks on institutions tied to Confucius Institutes, vetting of 'entities of concern', export controls), which could slow science, reduce access to foreign talent, and limit academic freedom.
Smaller institutions, startups, and nontraditional teams may be disadvantaged by competitive grant designs, merit reviews, and cost‑share requirements, concentrating federal support with larger or better‑resourced applicants.
Based on analysis of 40 sections of legislative text.
Expands and retools the National Quantum Initiative: funds NIST centers, boosts NSF workforce programs, authorizes prize competitions, tightens security definitions, and terminates the National Nanotechnology Program.
Authorizes new federal prize competitions and creates federally supported quantum centers, workforce hubs, and expanded NSF/NIST program authorities to accelerate quantum information science, engineering, and technology. Requires reviews and strategies (GAO, OSTP) on regulatory barriers, international cooperation, and program efficiency; updates definitions and security-related rules; and sunsets the National Nanotechnology Program within 180 days.