National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act

202. National Institute of Standards and Technology quantum acceleration centers

(a) Establishment

(1) In general. Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, in consultation with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, shall carry out a program to establish at least one, but not more than three, centers to accelerate research, development, deployment, and standardization of quantum information science, engineering, and technology.

(2) Program details

(A) Competitive, merit-reviewed process. The centers described in paragraph (1) shall be established through a competitive, merit-reviewed process.

(B) Applications. An eligible applicant described in subparagraph (C) shall submit to the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director determines to be appropriate.

(C) Eligible applicants. Eligible applicants described in this subparagraph are the following:

(i) Institutions of higher education.

(ii) Nonprofit organizations.

(iii) Multi-institutions collaborations, including multiple types of research institutions, private sector entities, Federal laboratories, and nonprofit organizations, or a consortia thereof.

(iv) Any other entity the Director determines appropriate.

(3) Selection of topics. The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall solicit proposals and prioritize the following topics in the initial selection of centers, subject to merit-review:

(A) Quantum sensing and measurement technologies.

(B) Advancing the manufacturing and scale-up of quantum systems and quantum enabling technologies.

(C) Address technology barriers to quantum networking and communications.

(D) Quantum engineering.

(b) Requirements. To the maximum extent practicable, centers established under this section shall serve the mission of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, for the benefit of the broader United States quantum information science community, to develop processes for the following purposes:

(1) Advancing research and standardization in quantum information science, engineering, and technology.

(2) Advancing technology development.

(3) Improving the competitiveness of the United States.

(c) Coordination. The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall ensure coordination, and avoid unnecessary duplication of, the activities carried out under this section with existing activities of the Institute, other activities carried out under this Act, and other related programs, as appropriate.

(d) Selection and duration

(1) In general. The centers established under this section are authorized to carry out activities for a period of five years.

(2) Renewal. Each center established under this section may be renewed for additional periods of five years following a successful merit-based review by the Director.

(3) Termination. Consistent with the authorities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology may terminate an underperforming center for cause during the performance period.

203. Research security. The activities authorized under title II shall be applied in a manner consistent with subtitle D of title VI of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (enacted as division B of Public Law 117–167; 42 U.S.C. 19231 et seq.).