Bill Summary
The "Quantum Instrumentation for Science and Engineering Act" aims to amend the National Quantum Initiative Act by enhancing access to quantum research resources and upgrading research facilities. It authorizes the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award grants to higher education institutions and eligible nonprofit organizations for the purpose of improving resources necessary for research and development in quantum information science, technology, and engineering.
Key provisions include:
1. **Enhanced Research Facilities**: The legislation stipulates that the NSF shall provide funding to upgrade facilities and equipment to accelerate the development of quantum technologies.
2. **Access and Collaboration**: Grants will facilitate better access to research instruments and equipment, promote collaboration among institutions, and include training initiatives for students and professionals.
3. **Support for Research and Development**: The funding aims to address challenges in quantum technology implementation and support the needs of the scientific community and the quantum supply chain.
Overall, this act seeks to strengthen the United States' position in quantum research by improving infrastructure and fostering collaboration within the scientific community.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Quantum Instrumentation for Science and Engineering Act" could affect people:
1. **Enhanced Educational Opportunities**: The act aims to improve access to quantum research resources by facilitating education and training at institutions of higher education, including community and technical colleges. This could lead to a new generation of students gaining hands-on experience in quantum sciences, making them more competitive in the job market and increasing the overall workforce skilled in quantum technology.
2. **Accelerated Technological Advancements**: By providing grants to institutions for upgrading research facilities and resources, the legislation is likely to expedite the development of quantum technologies. This could lead to breakthroughs in various fields, including computing, cryptography, and materials science, ultimately benefiting society by creating new applications and solutions to complex problems.
3. **Increased Collaboration Between Institutions and Industry**: The act encourages partnerships between educational institutions and industry partners to enhance research and development in quantum science. This collaboration can lead to innovative research projects, sharing of resources, and improved access to cutting-edge technology. Such synergies can foster economic growth and job creation as new quantum technologies are commercialized.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8237 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8237
To amend the National Quantum Initiative Act to upgrade and improve
access to quantum research resources, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 9, 2026
Ms. Salinas (for herself and Mr. Baird) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the National Quantum Initiative Act to upgrade and improve
access to quantum research resources, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Quantum Instrumentation for Science
and Engineering Act''.
SEC. 2. UPGRADING AND IMPROVING ACCESS TO QUANTUM RESEARCH RESOURCES.
(a) In General.--Title III of the National Quantum Initiative Act
(15 U.S.C. 8841 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(1) of section 301--
(A) subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(C) enhance research facilities and access to
research resources to accelerate quantum information
science, technology, and engineering research.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 303. UPGRADING AND IMPROVING ACCESS TO QUANTUM RESEARCH
RESOURCES.
``(a) In General.--In carrying out the activities described in
sections 301 and 302, the Director of the National Science Foundation,
in consultation with the heads of other Federal departments and
agencies, as appropriate, shall award grants to institutions of higher
education or eligible nonprofit organizations (or consortia thereof) to
upgrade research facilities and improve access to research resources,
such as equipment and instrumentation, that is needed for research and
development in quantum information science, technology, and
engineering.
``(b) Purpose.--Grants under subsection (a) shall be used to
facilitate quantum information science, technology, and engineering
research and development, including by carrying out the following:
``(1) Upgrading or adding research resources to accelerate
the development of quantum technologies, including capabilities
focused on addressing the roadblocks to implementation, and
meeting the materials, advanced materials development, and
device needs of the scientific community and the quantum supply
chain.
``(2) Enhancing access to equipment and instrumentation,
including at partnering institutions, by facilitating
information sharing, coordination, scheduling, education, and
training, including activities that provide meaningful hands-on
learning experiences for students, including at community and
technical colleges.
``(3) Enabling professional staff to support the operation
and improvement of research resources used for quantum
information science, technology, and engineering research and
training.
``(c) Requirements.--An institution of higher education or an
eligible nonprofit organization (or a consortium thereof) and industry
partners seeking funding under this section shall submit an application
to the Director of the National Science Foundation at such time, in
such manner, and containing such information as the Director may
require.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of
the National Quantum Initiative Act is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 302 the following new item:
``Sec. 303. Upgrading and improving access to quantum research
resources.''.
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