Sec. 21. National Aeronautics and Space Administration quantum activities
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/bill/118/hr/6213/ih/section-21A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The National Quantum Initiative Act is amended by adding at the end the following new title: The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is authorized to carry out basic and applied research on quantum information science, engineering, and technology. In carrying out subsection (a), the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration— shall consider cooperative arrangements with the Department of Energy and other Federal Government agencies, as practicable, on areas of shared benefit; and may enter into memoranda of understanding or memoranda of agreement to establish such cooperative arrangements.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this title, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a strategy for National Aeronautics and Space Administration basic and applied research on quantum information science, engineering, and technology. The strategy shall identify resources required to support implementation of the strategy, including budgets, workforce, and infrastructure, describe cooperative efforts with other Federal Government agencies, and address areas of research and applications, including the following:
Quantum sensing. Quantum networking. Quantum communications, including quantum satellite communications. Quantum computing. Science, aeronautics, and exploration-related applications. Any other area on quantum information, science, engineering, and technology the Administrator determines necessary. In developing the strategy described in subsection (c), the Administrator may seek input from relevant external stakeholders, including institutions of higher education, industry, and nonprofit research organizations.
Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, in consultation with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, may establish and operate an institute focused on space and aeronautics applications of quantum information science, engineering, and technology. The institute under this section shall be established through a competitive, merit-reviewed process. An eligible applicant under this section shall submit to the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Administrator determines to be appropriate.
The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall consider applications from institutions of higher education, research centers, multi-institutional collaborations, and any other entity that the Administrator determines to be appropriate. A collaboration that receives an award under this section may include multiple types of research institutions, private sector entities, and nonprofit organizations. The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall ensure an awardee under this section coordinates with, and avoids unnecessary duplication of, the activities carried out under this section with existing activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, other activities carried out under this Act, and other related programs, as appropriate.
The institute under this section may leverage commercially-available hardware and software to carry out the activities described in subsection (c). The institute under this section may carry out activities that— support basic and applied research focused on developing space and aeronautics applications for quantum information science, engineering, and technology, including as related to the results of the strategy under section 501(c); and support quantum information science, engineering, and technology education and public outreach.
To the maximum extent practicable, the institute under this section shall serve the needs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, for the benefit of the broader United States quantum information science community, to create and develop processes for the purpose of advancing space and aeronautics applications in quantum information science, engineering, and technology, and improving the competitiveness of the United States. Subject to the availability of appropriations, the institute under this section may carry out activities for a period of 5 years.
Subject to the availability of appropriations, an awardee may reapply for an additional, subsequent period of 5 years following a successful, merit-based review. Consistent with the authorities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration may terminate the institute for cause during the performance period. The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall allocate up to $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to carry out this title, subject to the availability of appropriations.
Amounts made available to carry out this title shall be derived from amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. .