Sec. 15. Quantum Reskilling, Education, and Workforce (QREW) Coordination Hub

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Title III of the National Quantum Initiative Act ( 15 U.S.C. 8841 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new sections: The Director of the National Science Foundation, in consultation with the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Secretary of Energy, and the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, shall make an award to a consortium led by an institution of higher education or an eligible nonprofit organization to establish a Quantum Reskilling, Education, and Workforce Coordination Hub (in this section referred to as the Hub ). The Hub established pursuant to subsection

(a)shall include not fewer than four institutions of higher education, including not fewer than two community colleges, and may include career and technical schools, nonprofit organizations, and private sector entities. The purpose of this Hub shall be to— identify and address cross-cutting workforce development challenges in quantum information science, engineering, and technology, and the quantum industry, by serving as a national and regional clearinghouse; and facilitate the establishment of programs to disseminate to institutions of higher education and career and technical education entities model curricula, best practices, and instructional materials. The activities of the Hub may include the following: Testing, implementing, scaling, disseminating, and standardizing materials, methods, best practices, and other outputs developed through activities under this Act. Increasing the integration of quantum information science, engineering, and technology content into STEM curricula at all education levels, including career and technical education programs. Providing opportunities for STEM degree students to provide feedback on quantum information science, engineering, and technology curricula. Facilitating post-education employment opportunities and workforce pathways for STEM degree recipients in quantum-related industries, including by facilitating opportunities for internships, externships, fellowships, and other such activities as determined by the Director, including through the establishment of a publicly accessible online portal. Coordinating with quantum industry and nonprofit entities and small and medium-sized businesses and startups to inform and enhance the quality and availability of quantum education in STEM degree programs, including through the promotion of post-graduation opportunities for STEM students outside the classroom to increase exposure to quantum industries. Supporting activities and programs to enhance the recruitment of students from groups historically underrepresented in STEM to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies in quantum information science, engineering, and technology. Developing, testing, implementing, and coordinating career development programs and strategies for pre-university and university educators for the purpose of increasing the number of quantum-informed educators at all levels of education, including by carrying out the following: Hosting career development workshops. Developing in-house and distance learning career development tools for public use. Facilitating access to related quantum technology, tools, and resources. Developing training, research, and professional development programs, including innovative pre-service and in-service programs. Facilitating relationships with State and local entities to increase awareness of and promote quantum-related career development activities at the Hub. Establishing a framework for performing ongoing regular data collection and analysis for the quantum workforce to report on trends, and perform other activities that expand the understanding of the current and future needs of the quantum industry, and education capacity or readiness of the quantum workforce. Such activities shall complement or align with, as relevant, authorized quantum and STEM workforce studies under section 10661(d) of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act ( 42 U.S.C. 19261(d) ). Facilitating public education and outreach activities to enhance the understanding and awareness of quantum information science, engineering, and technology to a boarder community to satisfy broader impact requirements of award applications. Encouraging coordination on quantum education in the broader STEM community. Subject to the restrictions outlined in subsection

(c)of section 301, the Hub may support education or policy fellowships for students at entities participating in the consortium under subsection

(a)or at other research centers established pursuant to this Act at the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Department of Energy, or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, for the purpose of supporting the activities described in subsection (d). The Hub shall collaborate with the Quantum Consortium established in section 201(b) or other industry consortia to identify, publish, facilitate, or enable quantum-related education and workforce development opportunities as described in subsections

(c)and (d). A consortium seeking funding under this section shall submit to the Director of the National Science Foundation an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require. Each application shall include a description of how the consortium shall carry out the following: Contribute to the success of the Hub and fulfill the purposes of the Hub. Include industry participation in fulfilling the purposes of the Hub. Collaborate with other members of the consortium to share expertise in integrating quantum information science, engineering, and technology into existing STEM programs and other relevant fields and disciplines. Support long-term and short-term workforce development in the quantum field. Develop and implement outreach activities to increase the participation of women and other students from groups historically underrepresented in STEM. The Hub established under this section is authorized to carry out activities for a period of 5 years. 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 Science Foundation, the Director of the National Science Foundation may terminate the Hub if it is underperforming during the performance period. The Hub shall coordinate with other research centers established under this Act at the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Department of Energy, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and other relevant Federal agencies, as appropriate, on activities and resources. The Director of the National Science Foundation shall allocate up to $10,000,000 for the Hub 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 Science Foundation. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Science Foundation, in coordination with the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Secretary of Energy, and the heads of other Federal agencies, as determined appropriate by the Director of the National Science Foundation, shall make awards on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis to institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, or consortia thereof, to establish not more than five testbeds for quantum applications research and development. The quantum testbeds established under subsection

(a)shall focus on advancing research and development for near-term and medium-term quantum application use cases by providing accessible research resources to academia and industry for developing and testing such use cases, including through proof-of-concept testing, demonstrations, pilot projects, and prototyping. An applicant for an award under this section shall submit to the Director a proposal at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may reasonably require. The proposal shall, at a minimum, describe the following: How the applicant will assemble a workforce, including from populations that are historically underrepresented in STEM, with the skills needed to operate a quantum testbed. How the applicant will ensure broad access to a quantum testbed, including for start-ups and small businesses. How a quantum testbed will operate after Federal funding has ended. The Director of the National Science Foundation shall prioritize the following: Applicants that ensure not less than 25 percent of the cost for a testbed awarded under this section is provided by private or non-Federal entities, including in-kind contributions. Awards for consortia that include quantum industry participation. The Director of the National Science Foundation shall be responsible for the following: Maintaining a record of notable outcomes from each quantum testbed established under this section. Partnering with other Federal agencies to enable opportunities for quantum testbed outcomes to be appropriately taken up by such agencies in alignment with the missions of such agencies. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section and every two years thereafter until December 31, 2030, briefing the appropriate committees of Congress on the status of such quantum testbeds and providing recommendations for improving such quantum testbeds. In establishing quantum testbeds under this section, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall ensure coordination with other testbeds and other quantum facilities hosting Federal quantum technology and infrastructure supported by the National Science Foundation, including those authorized pursuant to section 10390 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act ( Public Law 117–167 ; 42 U.S.C. 10990 ), or by other Federal agencies as determined appropriate by the Director, to avoid duplication and maximize use of Federal resources. In carrying out this section, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall collaborate with the Quantum Consortium established pursuant to section 201(b) to accomplish the purposes of the quantum testbeds program described in subsection

(b)and ensure there is strong collaboration with industry stakeholders. The Director may also engage with National Laboratories, federally funded research and development centers, industry, and other members of the United States quantum ecosystem. The Director shall ensure regional and geographic diversity in issuing awards under this section. The Director of the National Science Foundation shall allocate up to $50,000,000 for the quantum testbeds under this section for each 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 Science Foundation. The activities authorized under title III shall be applied in a manner consistent with subtitle D of title VI of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (enacted as division B of Public Law 117–167 ; 42 U.S.C. 19231 et seq. ). .

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