National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act

(3) shall carry out research to facilitate the development and standardization of quantum cryptography, post-quantum cryptography (as such term is defined in section 3 of the Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act (6 U.S.C. 1526 note; Public Law 117–260)), and practices to replace cryptographic keys or algorithms with minimal disruption to current applications and systems;

(4) shall carry out research, development, and demonstration projects, as appropriate, to facilitate the development and standardization of quantum networking, communications, computing, metrology, sensing technologies and quantum applications, including supply chain enabling technologies and other supporting technologies;

(5) shall carry out, in coordination with the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, research to support the measurement of comparative performance and progress of quantum technologies, including, as practicable, technology readiness assessments of quantum technologies;

(6) shall promote United States participation in international standards organizations related to quantum information science, engineering, and technology;

(7) shall establish or expand partnerships with the public sector and private sector to—

(A) accelerate the development of domestic quantum supply chain and supply chain-supporting technologies; and

(B) reduce quantum supply chain vulnerabilities;

(10) shall establish such infrastructure as is necessary to carry out title II; and

(A) to gather and assess information on the quantum industry to address the needs identified in paragraph (1);

(B) to provide recommendations regarding how the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Program, and other Federal agencies, as appropriate, can address the gaps in the research necessary to satisfy the needs identified in paragraph (1) and accelerate real-world uses of quantum information science, engineering, and technology;

(C) to identify enabling technologies and the relevant supply chain essential to foster research and industrial competitiveness in quantum information science, engineering, and technology, and communicate findings to Federal agencies and other domestic and international stakeholders; and

(D) to assess and identify key areas for establishing, expanding, or developing international partnerships that will facilitate United States quantum-related business engagement.

(4) Coordination. As appropriate, Federal agencies specified in section 103(b) that— may engage with the consortium to inform and accelerate progress in such applications or technologies, as the case may be.

(A) are involved in the transition or translation of practical quantum applications, or

(B) have a mission that could benefit from the development of quantum technologies,

(c) International quantum research and metrology

(1) In general. The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Director of the National Science Foundation, shall support international quantum information science, engineering, and technology research, metrology research, and standardization, as appropriate, to enhance international cooperation, satisfy United States commitments, and support United States engagement in international standards for quantum information science, engineering, and technology.

(2) Alignment. In carrying out this section, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall ensure alignment with the National Quantum Information Science Strategy and the U.S. Government National Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technology, or successor strategies.

(3) Restrictions

(A) Confucius Institutes. None of the funds made available under this section may be obligated or expended to an institution of higher education that maintains a contract or agreement between such institution and a Confucius Institute or any successor of a Confucius Institute.

(B) Foreign countries of concern or entities of concern. None of the funds made available under this section may be obligated or expended to promote, establish, or finance quantum research activities between a United States entity and a foreign country of concern or foreign entity of concern, except such restriction shall not apply to participation by awardees in consensus-based international standardization activities.

(d) Post quantum cryptography deployment

(1) In general. The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, the heads of Sector Risk Management Agencies (as such term is defined in section 2200 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 650)), and private sector entities, as appropriate, shall promote the voluntary development, adoption, and deployment of standards relating to post-quantum cryptography (as such term is defined in section 3 of the Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act (6 U.S.C. 1526 note; Public Law 117–260)), including by carrying out the following:

(A) Disseminating and making publicly available guidance and resources to help organizations adopt and deploy standards relating to post-quantum cryptography and minimize disruptions to current applications and systems caused by cryptographic updates.

(B) Providing technical assistance, as practicable, to entities that are at high risk of quantum cryptoanalytic attacks, such as entities determined to be critical infrastructure (as such term is defined in section 1016(e) of Public Law 107–56 (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e))) or digital infrastructure providers.

(C) Conducting such other activities as determined necessary by the Director to promote the development, adoption, and deployment across the United States of standards relating to post-quantum cryptography.

(2) Grant program

(A) In general. Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology may establish a program to identify and provide technical assistance through the award of grants to entities that are at high risk of quantum cryptoanalytic attacks, including by awarding grants for the adoption of such standards and the remediation of quantum-related vulnerabilities.

(B) Use of funds. Grants awarded to entities under this paragraph may be used to cover reasonable costs, up to a specified amount established by the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, for activities to adopt standards relating to post-quantum cryptography and remediate quantum-related vulnerabilities.

(C) Guidance. The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology may develop, and periodically update, guidance, including relating to eligibility, application disclosure requirements, grant amount and duration, and any additional requirements regarding the award of grants under this paragraph.

(D) Consultation. If the grant program described in this paragraph is established, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall consult with the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of the Department of Homeland Security, the heads of other Sector Risk Management Agencies, and appropriate representatives of private sector entities, including nonprofit organizations, to share information regarding such grant program and guidance developed and updated under subparagraph (C).