Insider Brief
- The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act, aims to authorize $1.8 billion over five years to enhance quantum research and development across major U.S. agencies, including the DOE, NSF, NIST and NASA.
- The bill seeks to establish and fund new quantum research centers, workforce training hubs, and quantum testbeds, addressing both technological and workforce challenges in the quantum sector.
- The CBO estimates the bill would not impact direct federal spending or revenues, aligning it with budget-neutral legislative standards and avoiding new mandates on state or private sectors.
Congress appears to be taking the next step to pass through H.R. 6213, the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act, according to a recent report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Introduced earlier this year and recently reported out of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the bill aims to bolster quantum research and development (R&D) through a new round of federal funding and agency mandates.
Many quantum leaders have lobbied for the initiative, labeling it an essential step for strengthening the United States’ position in quantum information science
According to a cost estimate by the CBO, published November 1, the bill would authorize appropriations totaling $1.8 billion over five years, from 2025 to 2029. The funds would be directed toward critical U.S. research agencies, including the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Here’s what we picked up from the document:
Expanding Quantum Research Initiatives
If passed, H.R. 6213 would reauthorize the existing National Quantum Initiative Act, first enacted in 2018 to cement the U.S.’s leadership position in quantum technology—a field that merges physics, computer science, and engineering to harness quantum mechanics for computation and information processing. The new bill seeks to build on the original act by allocating significant funding to key research bodies.
The DOE would receive $838 million over the five-year period, with a focus on sustaining and expanding quantum research centers. The budget includes:
- $175 million annually through 2028 to support up to five quantum information science centers.
- $25 million per year for a quantum instrumentation and infrastructure foundry program.
- $38 million earmarked for 2028 to fund the Quantum User Expansion for Science and Technology program.
The CBO projects that the DOE would spend approximately $767 million during this timeframe, with the remaining $71 million incurred after 2029.
National Science Foundation and Broader Workforce Implications
The NSF is poised to receive $640 million, based on the CBO information, which appears headed toward developing and fostering multidisciplinary quantum research and educational programs. This would include:
- $100 million annually for up to 10 quantum research and education centers.
- $10 million per year to establish a quantum reskilling, education, and workforce coordination hub.
- $50 million annually for developing quantum testbeds.
The bill aims not only to advance quantum technology but also to address an impending skills gap in the quantum workforce. CBO’s analysis anticipates that NSF activities will cost $317 million over the next five years, with an additional $323 million projected after 2029.
Funding for NIST and NASA
The National Institute of Standards and Technology would receive $216 million to establish up to three R&D centers focused on quantum information science. CBO’s report estimates the cost to NIST at $161 million over the 2025-2029 period, with $55 million allocated post-2029.
NASA’s share would amount to $100 million over the same timeframe, directed at exploring quantum applications in space and aeronautics. The estimated outlay for NASA stands at $76 million during the bill’s primary funding period and $24 million afterward.
Our Take: Strategic Implications
The bill represents a strategic push to consolidate U.S. leadership in quantum computing, an emerging industry heating up with international competition and investment. Quantum technology promises capabilities far beyond those of classical computers, from complex optimization problems to secure communications. However, maintaining these systems’ operational stability requires significant technological and financial investments, which this bill recognizes.
As mentioned, CBO highlights that the bill would not affect direct federal spending or revenues, thus sidestepping statutory pay-as-you-go rules. Furthermore, the legislation is free of any intergovernmental or private-sector mandates, aligning with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
The reauthorization could be seen as a signal that the U.S. government understands the stakes in the global quantum race. Strategic funding through these agencies helps sustain momentum and ensure the U.S. does not lag behind countries like China, which has aggressively scaled its quantum research.
Future Path and Challenges
While the bill has cleared the House committee stage, its path through the legislative process is far from guaranteed. The proposed funding would need to pass full House approval before moving to the Senate. Time constraints and competing legislative priorities may delay its final passage.
Still, the scope of the proposed funding underscores the high value Congress places on quantum research. This investment follows recent White House initiatives to accelerate scientific and technological leadership in critical fields, including artificial intelligence and advanced computing.
The CBO’s comprehensive budget analysis suggests that the bill’s investments are justified based on historical spending patterns and current strategic needs. The report notes that federal agencies collectively spent around $1 billion on quantum R&D in 2022 alone, indicating an upward trend in funding and research activity.
