National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026 – Section Summary

courtesy Paul Stimers, Partner at Holland & Knight

“The Quantum Industry Coalition strongly supports the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act, which will lay the groundwork for the next several years of U.S. quantum leadership,” said Paul Stimers, executive director of the coalition. “We are pleased that the bill includes a focus on post-quantum cryptography, which the government and the private sector urgently need to adopt.”

Thanks to Paul Stimers, Partner at Holland & Knight, for sharing this section summary of the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026. Allow me to draw your attention to Section 17 - NSF Cryptography Research, which mentions post-quantum cryptography (PQC).

Do you know where you can learn more about PQC? That’s right: at PQC+IQT, which will take place on October 26 alongside Q+AI 2026 (3.0) in New York City. Registration is available with Q+AI or separately, and the deepest discount is available now. Feel free to inquire about speaking, sponsorship, and exhibiting opportunities.

National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026 – Section Summary

Section 1 – Short Title; Table of Contents.

Section 2 – Definitions: Adds engineering and technology to the understood definition of “Quantum Information Science” to make it the more inclusive phrase, “Quantum Information Science, Engineering, and Technology” (QISET). It also defines “STEM,” “Foreign Country of Concern,” “Quantum Applications,” “Quantum Computing,” “Foreign Entity of Concern,” “Federal Laboratory,” and “National Laboratories” consistent with their use in the CHIPS and Science Act and other laws.

Section 3 – Purposes: Adds the facilitation of cooperative research investments with allies of the United States, the development and retention of a quantum workforce, the development of quantum applications, and strengthening and securing the quantum supply chain as purposes of the Act.

Section 4 - National Quantum Initiative Program: Expands the program’s scope to include engineering and technology, emphasizing applications, and workforce development.

Section 5 - National Quantum Coordination Office: Expands and clarifies the Office’s role to cover quantum science, engineering, technology, workforce, and international activities; strengthens coordination across quantum research centers and consortia; and adds responsibilities related to economic adoption of quantum capabilities, workforce and supply-chain stability, international trade, and avoiding duplication across Federal quantum programs.

Section 6 - Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science: Adds the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of State, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the Subcommittee.

Section 7 - National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee: Broadens the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee’s role to include providing guidance on international quantum progress, infrastructure and supply chain needs, and the feasibility of establishing quantum communications corridors in the United States.

Section 8 - Subcommittee on Economic and Security Implications of Quantum Information Science: Adds HHS, State and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to the Subcommittee. Calls for increased coordination between civilian, military, and intelligence agencies.

Section 9 - International Quantum Cooperation Strategy: Requires the development of an international quantum cooperation strategy to coordinate R&D activities with allies of the United States.

Section 10 - Prize Challenges: Directs federal agencies to conduct prize competitions to accelerate quantum technology development.

Section 11 - Sunset: Extends the authority of the National Quantum Initiative Act through December 31, 2034.

Section 12 - NIST Activities and Quantum Consortium: Authorizes $85M per year for five years for the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) quantum research and consortium activities. Supply Chain Resilience: Directs the Secretary of Commerce to submit a plan to strengthen quantum supply chains in two years.

Section 13 - NIST Quantum Centers: Authorizes $18M per year for five years for the establishment of up to three new NIST quantum centers to advance research in quantum sensing, measurement, and engineering.

Section 14 - NSF Quantum Research and Education Activities: Authorizes the National Science Foundation (NSF) to expand quantum research and infrastructure and enhances workforce development through fellowships, scholarships, faculty awards, and partnerships.

Section 15 - NSF Quantum Centers: Increases number of NSF Quantum Centers from five to ten.

Section 16 - Quantum Reskilling, Education, and Workforce Coordination Hub: Establishes a hub to coordinate workforce development initiatives and expand participation in quantum related fields. Quantum Testbeds: Establish new testbeds for quantum technology application research and development. The testbeds are directed to support translational research for near term and medium-term use cases and provide research and testing resources for likely use-cases.

Section 17 - NSF Cryptography Research: Updates the Cyber Security Research and Development Act of 2002 to include post-quantum cryptography, expanding NSF grant eligibility to support research on encryption that is resilient against attacks by a quantum computer.

Section 18 - National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): Authorizes $25M per year for five years for NASA quantum R&D activities, including quantum satellite communications and quantum sensing research initiatives.

Section 19 - Government Accountability Office (GAO): Directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on reducing the red tape and paperwork burden related to private sector and academic participation in National Quantum Initiative activities and centers.

Section 20 - Review of Regulatory Barriers to Quantum Information Science and Technology Development: Directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), in coordination with the National Quantum Coordination Office (NQCO), to conduct a comprehensive review of existing and potential Federal regulatory barriers affecting quantum research, development, deployment, and scaling.

Section 21 - Sunset of National Nanotechnology Program: Terminates the National Nanotechnology Program and associated statutory authorities 180 days after enactment. Requires OSTP to wind down the program in an orderly manner, minimize disruption to ongoing research, reassign infrastructure and responsibilities as appropriate, and brief Congress on a transition plan within 90 days.

Section 22. Clerical Amendments

Filed under: Quantum Computing • Quantum Policy • Cybersecurity