Sec. 18. National Aeronautics and Space Administration quantum activities
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The National Quantum Initiative Act ( 15 U.S.C. 8801 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new title: In this title, the term Administrator means the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Administrator is authorized to carry out research on quantum information science, engineering, and technology. In carrying out subsection (a), the Administrator— 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 shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a strategy for National Aeronautics and Space Administration 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 of quantum information, science, engineering, and technology that furthers the mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and is consistent with the purposes of this Act, as the Administrator considers appropriate. 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, in consultation with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, may establish one or more initiatives focused on space and aeronautics applications of quantum information science, engineering, and technology. The Administrator shall develop and implement a formal, merit-based review process for evaluating proposals, applications, and initiatives submitted to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration with respect to the research, development, or deployment of quantum technologies with potential relevance to the civil space and aeronautics missions of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
The process established under subparagraph
(A)shall be designed— to ensure taxpayer dollars are directed to the most technically sound and strategically aligned quantum technology proposals; to prioritize proposals that demonstrate strong potential to enhance United States leadership in space-based quantum applications, including sensing, navigation, communications, simulation, and computing; to support initiatives that align with the strategic goals of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts led by other Federal agencies; to facilitate a competitive, transparent, and objective selection process using qualified subject-matter experts; and to include appropriate consideration of project feasibility, cost-effectiveness, technological maturity, and risk mitigation. An applicant under this section shall submit to the Administrator a proposal at such time, in such manner, and containing such technical, programmatic, and budgetary information as the Administrator determines necessary to evaluate the proposal through the review process developed under paragraph (1). In carrying out the process under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consider applications from institutions of higher education, research centers, multi-institutional collaborations, and any other entity the Administrator considers appropriate. A collaboration that receives an award under this section may include multiple types of research institutions, including institutions of higher education, private sector entities, and nonprofit organizations. The Administrator shall ensure that an awardee under this section— coordinates with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, including by identifying personnel designated to serve as program liaisons for technical and programmatic oversight; and avoids unnecessary duplication of existing activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, other activities carried out under the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026 or the amendments made by that Act, and other related programs, as appropriate. An initiative established under this section may leverage commercially-available hardware and software to carry out the activities described in subsection (c). An initiative established under this section may carry out activities that— support research focused on developing and demonstrating space, aeronautics, and exploration applications for quantum information science, engineering, exploration, and technology, including research relating to the strategy developed under section 502(c); and support quantum information science, engineering, and technology education and public outreach. To the maximum extent practicable, an initiative established 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, an initiative established 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 may terminate the initiative for cause during the performance period. The activities authorized under this title shall be carried out in a manner consistent with— subtitle D of title VI of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act ( 42 U.S.C. 19231 et seq. ); and section 6432 of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 ( 42 U.S.C. 7144b note; Public Law 118–159 ). The Administrator shall allocate up to $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 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. .
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Sec. 18
National Aeronautics and Space Administration quantum activities
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