Sec. 402. National Quantum Information Science Research Centers
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The Secretary of Energy shall ensure that the Office of Science carries out a program, in consultation with other Federal agencies, as appropriate, to establish and operate up to 5 National Quantum Information Science Research Centers to conduct basic research to accelerate scientific breakthroughs in quantum information science and technology and to support research conducted under section 401. Such centers shall be established through a competitive, merit-reviewed process, and consider applications from National Laboratories, institutions of higher education, research centers, multi-institutional collaborations, and other appropriate entities.
A collaboration receiving an award under this subsection may include multiple types of research institutions and private sector entities. To the maximum extent practicable, the Centers developed, constructed, operated, or maintained under this section shall serve the needs of the Department of Energy, industry, the academic community, and other relevant entities to create and develop processes for the purpose of advancing basic research in quantum information science and improving the competitiveness of the United States.
The Secretary shall ensure the coordination of, and avoid unnecessary duplication of, the activities of each Center with the activities of— other research entities of the Department, including the Nanoscale Science Research Centers, the Energy Frontier Research Centers, and the Energy Innovation Hubs; and industry. The centers selected and established under this section are authorized to carry out activities for a period of 5 years. An awardee may reapply for an additional, subsequent period of 5 years on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis.
Consistent with the existing authorities of the Department, the Secretary may terminate an underperforming Center for cause during the performance period. The Secretary of Energy shall devote $625,000,000 to carry out this section, which shall include $125,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, subject to the availability of appropriations, to come from amounts made available for the Office of Science. This section shall be carried out using funds otherwise appropriated by law after the date of enactment of this Act.