Sponsors (4)
The bill boosts U.S. resilience to quantum threats by funding assistance, guidance, and research on post‑quantum cryptography, but the benefits may be delayed, underfunded for some high‑cost actors, and will add administrative responsibilities and costs.
Financial institutions and critical infrastructure operators (eg, utilities, energy companies) can receive technical assistance and grants to adopt post‑quantum cryptography, reducing their risk of quantum-enabled attacks.
State and local governments, small businesses, and other organizations will have publicly available guidance and resources to plan and implement migration to post‑quantum standards, simplifying adoption and coordination nationwide.
Scientists, researchers, and students gain increased federal support because the NSF will prioritize post‑quantum cryptography research, expanding funding and innovation in quantum-resistant algorithms.
State and local governments and small businesses may face delays obtaining help because the grant program depends on future appropriations and on NIST issuing standards before assistance can flow.
Utilities, energy companies, and financial institutions may still lack sufficient funding for full migration because grant awards are capped at amounts set by the NIST Director.
Taxpayers and federal employees may face added costs and administrative burden as NIST’s expanded responsibilities and interagency coordination increase workload and require resources.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Adds post‑quantum cryptography to federal research priorities and authorizes NIST to run a voluntary grant program to promote adoption of post‑quantum standards.
Official title: To amend the National Quantum Initiative Act and the Cyber Security Research and Development Act to advance the rapid deployment of post quantum cybersecurity standards across the United States economy, support United States cryptography research, and for other purposes.
Introduced May 7, 2025 by Haley Stevens · Last progress May 7, 2025
Creates a new voluntary program to promote and fund adoption of post‑quantum cryptography standards and adds post‑quantum cryptography to federal research priorities. It directs NIST, in consultation with DHS and sector risk management agencies, to develop responsibilities and an optional grant program to help critical infrastructure owners and other entities deploy post‑quantum cryptography, and adds post‑quantum cryptography to NSF's list of computer and network security research areas.