Sec. 12. National Institute of Standards and Technology quantum centers
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Title II of the National Quantum Initiative Act is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 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 establish and operate at least one, but not more than three, centers to accelerate research, development, deployment, and standardization of quantum information science, engineering, and technology. The centers shall be established through a competitive, merit-reviewed process. 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. Eligible applicants described in this subparagraph are the following: Institutions of higher education. Nonprofit organizations. Multi-institutions collaborations. Any other entity the Director determines appropriate. The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall solicit proposals in and prioritize the following topics in initial selection of centers, subject to merit-review: Quantum sensing and measurement. Quantum engineering. To the maximum extent practicable, centers developed, constructed, operated, or maintained 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 create and develop processes for the following purposes— Advancing research and standardization in quantum information science, engineering, and technology. Advancing technology transfer. Improving the competitiveness of the United States. A collaboration that receives an award under this section may include multiple types of research institutions, private sector entities, Federal laboratories, and nonprofit organizations. The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall ensure awardees coordinate, 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. The centers established under this section are authorized to carry out activities for a period of five years. An awardee may reapply for an additional subsequent period of five years following a successful, merit-based review. 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. The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall allocate up to $18,000,000 for each Center supporter under this section for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028, subject to the availability of appropriations. Amounts made available to carry out this section shall be derived from amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. .