SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘National Quantum Initiative Act’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.— 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
Sec. 3. Purposes. 
TITLE I—NATIONAL QUANTUM INITIATIVE 
Sec. 101. National Quantum Initiative Program. 
Sec. 102. National Quantum Coordination Office. 
Sec. 103. Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science. 
Sec. 104. National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee. 
Sec. 105. Sunset. 
TITLE II—NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND 
TECHNOLOGY QUANTUM ACTIVITIES 
Sec. 201. National Institute of Standards and Technology activities and quan-
tum workshop. 
TITLE III—NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AND MULTIDISCI-
PLINARY CENTERS FOR QUANTUM RESEARCH AND EDUCATION 
Sec. 301. Quantum information science research and education program. 
Sec. 302. Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education. 
TITLE IV—DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY RESEARCH AND NATIONAL 
QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH CENTERS 
Sec. 401. Quantum Information Science Research program. 
Sec. 402. National Quantum Information Science Research Centers. 
Sec. 403. Spending limitation. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act, the following definitions apply: 
(1) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—The term ‘‘Advi-
sory Committee’’ means the National Quantum Ini-
tiative Advisory Committee established under section 
104(a).
(2) COORDINATION
OFFICE.—The term ‘‘Co-
ordination Office’’ means the National Quantum Co-
ordination Office established under section 102(a). 
(3) INSTITUTIONS
OF
HIGHER
EDUCATION.— 
The term ‘‘institutions of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). 
(4) PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘Program’’ means 
the National Quantum Initiative Program imple-
mented under section 101(a). 
(5) QUANTUM
INFORMATION
SCIENCE.—The 
term ‘‘quantum information science’’ means the 
storage, transmission, manipulation, or measurement 
of information that is encoded in systems that can 
only be described by the laws of quantum physics. 
(6) 
SUBCOMMITTEE.—The 
term 
‘‘Sub-
committee’’ means the Subcommittee on Quantum 
Information Science of the National Science and 
Technology 
Council 
established 
under 
section 
103(a). 
SEC. 3. PURPOSES. 
The purposes of this Act are to ensure the continued 
leadership of the United States in quantum information 
science and its technology applications by—
(1) supporting research, development, dem-
onstration, and application of quantum information 
science and technology in order to— 
(A) expand the number of researchers, 
educators, and students with training in quan-
tum information science and technology to de-
velop a workforce pipeline; 
(B) promote the development and inclusion 
of multidisciplinary curriculum and research op-
portunities for quantum information science at 
the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral 
level; 
(C) address basic research knowledge gaps; 
(D) promote the further development of fa-
cilities and centers available for quantum infor-
mation science and technology research, testing 
and education; and 
(E) stimulate research on and promote 
more rapid development of quantum-based tech-
nologies; 
(2) improving the interagency planning and co-
ordination of Federal research and development of 
quantum information science and technology and 
maximizing the effectiveness of the Federal Govern-
ment’s quantum information science and technology 
research and development programs; 
(3) promoting collaboration among government, 
Federal laboratories, industry, and universities; and 
(4) promoting the development of standards for 
quantum information science and technology secu-
rity. 
TITLE I—NATIONAL QUANTUM 
INITIATIVE 
SEC. 101. NATIONAL QUANTUM INITIATIVE PROGRAM. 
The President shall implement a 10-year National 
Quantum Initiative Program. In carrying out the Pro-
gram, the President shall, acting through appropriate 
Federal agencies, councils, working groups, subcommit-
tees, and the Coordination Office— 
(1) establish the goals, priorities, and metrics 
for a 10-year plan to accelerate development of 
quantum information science and technology applica-
tions in the United States; 
(2) invest in fundamental Federal quantum in-
formation science and technology research, develop-
ment, demonstration, and other activities to achieve 
the goals established in paragraph (1); 
(3) invest in activities to develop a quantum in-
formation science and technology workforce pipeline;
(4) provide for interagency coordination of Fed-
eral quantum information science and technology re-
search, development, demonstration, and other ac-
tivities undertaken pursuant to the Program; 
(5) partner with industry and academia to le-
verage knowledge and resources; and 
(6) leverage existing Federal investments effi-
ciently to advance Program goals and objectives. 
SEC. 102. NATIONAL QUANTUM COORDINATION OFFICE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The President shall establish 
a National Quantum Coordination Office, which shall 
have— 
(1) a Director appointed by the Director of the 
Office of Science and Technology Policy, in consulta-
tion with the Secretary of Commerce, the Director 
of the National Science Foundation, and the Sec-
retary of Energy; and 
(2) staff that shall be comprised of employees 
detailed from the Federal agencies that are members 
of the Subcommittee. 
(b) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Coordination Office 
shall— 
(1) provide technical and administrative support 
to— 
(A) the Subcommittee; and
(B) the Advisory Committee; 
(2) oversee interagency coordination of the Pro-
gram, including encouraging and supporting joint 
agency solicitation and selection of applications for 
funding of projects under the Program; 
(3) serve as the point of contact on Federal ci-
vilian quantum information science and technology 
activities for Government organizations, academia, 
industry, professional societies, State governments, 
and others to exchange technical and programmatic 
information; 
(4) ensure coordination between the Multidisci-
plinary Centers for Quantum Research and Edu-
cation established under section 302(a) and the Na-
tional Quantum Information Science Research Cen-
ters established under section 402(a); 
(5) conduct public outreach, including dissemi-
nation of findings and recommendations of the Advi-
sory Committee, as appropriate; 
(6) promote access to and early application of 
the technologies, innovations, and expertise derived 
from Program activities to agency missions and sys-
tems across the Federal Government, and to United 
States industry, including startup companies; and
(4) the management, coordination, implementa-
tion, and activities of the Program; 
(5) the need to revise the Program; 
(6) whether or not there are opportunities for 
international cooperation with strategic allies on re-
search and development in quantum information 
science and technology; and 
(7) whether national security, societal, eco-
nomic, legal, and workforce concerns are adequately 
addressed by the Program. 
(e) REPORTS.—The Advisory Committee shall report, 
not less frequently than once every 2 years, to the Presi-
dent on the assessments required under subsection (d) and 
any recommendations to improve the Program. The first 
report under this subsection shall be submitted not later 
than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act. 
The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Pol-
icy shall transmit a copy of each report under this sub-
section to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives, the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Technology of the Senate, the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Sen-
ate, and other appropriate committees of the Congress. 
(f) TRAVEL EXPENSES
OF NON-FEDERAL MEM-
BERS.—Non-Federal members of the Advisory Committee,
while attending meetings of the Advisory Committee or 
while otherwise serving at the request of the head of the 
Advisory Committee away from their homes or regular 
places of business, may be allowed travel expenses, includ-
ing per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by sec-
tion 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for individuals 
in the Government serving without pay. Nothing in this 
subsection shall be construed to prohibit members of the 
Advisory Committee who are officers or employees of the 
United States from being allowed travel expenses, includ-
ing per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with ex-
isting law. 
(g) EXEMPTION.—The Advisory Committee shall be 
exempt from section 14 of the Federal Advisory Com-
mittee Act (5 U.S.C. App.). 
SEC. 105. SUNSET. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided for in sub-
section (b), the authority to carry out sections 101, 102, 
103, and 104 shall terminate on the date that is 11 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(b) EXTENSION.—The President may continue the 
activities under such sections if the President determines 
that such activities are necessary to meet national eco-
nomic or national security needs.
TITLE II—NATIONAL INSTITUTE 
OF STANDARDS AND TECH-
NOLOGY 
QUANTUM 
ACTIVI-
TIES 
SEC. 201. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECH-
NOLOGY ACTIVITIES AND QUANTUM WORK-
SHOP. 
(a) NATIONAL
INSTITUTE
OF
STANDARDS
AND 
TECHNOLOGY ACTIVITIES.—As part of the Program de-
scribed in title I, the Director of the National Institute 
of Standards and Technology shall— 
(1) continue to support and expand basic quan-
tum information science and technology research 
and development of measurement and standards in-
frastructure necessary to advance commercial devel-
opment of quantum applications; 
(2) use its existing programs, in collaboration 
with other agencies, as appropriate, to train sci-
entists in quantum information science and tech-
nology to increase participation in the quantum 
fields; 
(3) establish or expand collaborative ventures or 
consortia with other public or private sector entities, 
including academia, National Laboratories, and in-
dustry for the purpose of advancing the field of 
quantum information science and engineering; and 
(4) have the authority to enter into and per-
form such contracts, including cooperative research 
and development arrangements and grants and coop-
erative agreements or other transactions, as may be 
necessary in the conduct of the work of the Institute 
and on such terms as the Director considers appro-
priate, in furtherance of the purposes of this Act. 
(b) QUANTUM WORKSHOP.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of 
the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
shall convene a workshop of stakeholders to discuss 
the future measurement, standards, cybersecurity, 
and other appropriate needs for supporting the de-
velopment of a robust quantum information science 
and technology industry in the United States. The 
goals of the workshop shall be to— 
(A) assess the current research on the 
issues described in this paragraph; 
(B) evaluate the research gaps relating to 
such issues; and 
(C) provide recommendations on how the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology
and the Program can address the research 
needs identified. 
(2) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 2 
years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Director of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology shall transmit to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a sum-
mary report containing the findings of the workshop 
convened under this section. 
(c) FUNDING.—The Secretary of Commerce shall de-
vote $400,000,000 to carry out this section, which shall 
include $80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023, subject to the availability of appropriations, to come 
from amounts made available for the National Institute 
of Standards and Technology. This section shall be carried 
out using funds otherwise appropriated by law after the 
date of enactment of this Act.
TITLE III—NATIONAL SCIENCE 
FOUNDATION 
AND 
MULTI-
DISCIPLINARY CENTERS FOR 
QUANTUM 
RESEARCH 
AND 
EDUCATION 
SEC. 301. QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH 
AND EDUCATION PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the National 
Science Foundation shall carry out a basic research and 
education program on quantum information science and 
engineering. 
(b) PROGRAM COMPONENTS.—In carrying out the 
program required under subsection (a), the Director of the 
National Science Foundation shall carry out activities that 
continue to support basic interdisciplinary quantum infor-
mation science and engineering research, and support 
human resources development in all aspects of quantum 
information science and engineering. Such activities shall 
include— 
(1) using the existing programs of the National 
Science Foundation, in collaboration with other Fed-
eral agencies, as appropriate, to— 
(A) improve the teaching and learning of 
quantum information science and engineering
at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-
graduate levels; and 
(B) increase participation in the quantum 
fields, including by individuals identified in sec-
tions 33 and 34 of the Science and Engineering 
Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a; 42 
U.S.C. 1885b); 
(2) formulating goals for quantum information 
science and engineering research and education ac-
tivities to be supported by the National Science 
Foundation; 
(3) leveraging the collective body of knowledge 
from existing quantum information science and engi-
neering research and education activities; 
(4) 
coordinating 
research 
efforts 
funded 
through existing programs across the directorates of 
the National Science Foundation; and 
(5) engaging with other Federal agencies, re-
search communities, and potential users of informa-
tion produced under this section. 
SEC. 302. MULTIDISCIPLINARY CENTERS FOR QUANTUM 
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION. 
(a) MULTIDISCIPLINARY CENTERS
FOR QUANTUM 
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the National 
Science Foundation, in consultation with other Fed-
eral agencies as appropriate, shall award grants to 
institutions of higher education or eligible nonprofit 
organizations (or consortia thereof) to establish up 
to five Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Re-
search and Education. 
(2) COLLABORATIONS.—A collaboration receiv-
ing an award under this subsection may include in-
stitutions of higher education, eligible nonprofit or-
ganizations, and private sector entities. 
(3) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Centers 
shall be to conduct basic research and education ac-
tivities in support of the goals and priorities of the 
Program as determined in title I, to— 
(A) continue to advance quantum informa-
tion science and engineering; 
(B) support curriculum and workforce de-
velopment in quantum information science and 
engineering; and 
(C) foster innovation by bringing industry 
perspectives to quantum research and workforce 
development, including by leveraging industry 
resources and research capacity.
(4) REQUIREMENTS.—An institution of higher 
education or an eligible nonprofit organization (or a 
consortium thereof) seeking funding under this sec-
tion shall submit an application to the Director at 
such time, in such manner, and containing such in-
formation as the Director may require. The applica-
tion shall include, at a minimum, a description of— 
(A) how the Center will work with other 
research institutions and industry partners to 
leverage expertise in quantum science, edu-
cation and curriculum development, and tech-
nology transfer; 
(B) how the Center will promote active col-
laboration among researchers in multiple dis-
ciplines involved in quantum research including 
physics, engineering, mathematics, computer 
science, chemistry, and material science; 
(C) how the Center will support long-term 
and short-term workforce development in the 
quantum field; 
(D) how the Center can support an innova-
tion ecosystem to work with industry to trans-
late Center research into applications; and
(E) a long-term plan to become self-sus-
taining after the expiration of Foundation sup-
port. 
(5) SELECTION AND DURATION.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Centers selected 
and established under this section are author-
ized to carry out activities for a period of 5 
years. 
(B) REAPPLICATION.—An awardee may 
reapply for an additional, subsequent period of 
5 years on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis. 
(C) TERMINATION.—Consistent with the 
existing authorities of the Foundation, the Di-
rector of the National Science Foundation may 
terminate an underperforming Center for cause 
during the performance period. 
(6) FUNDING.—The Director of the National 
Science Foundation shall devote $250,000,000 to 
carry 
out 
this 
section, 
which 
shall 
include 
$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023, subject to the availability of appropriations, to 
come from amounts made available for Research and 
Related Activities and Education and Human Re-
sources. This section shall be carried out using
funds otherwise appropriated by law after the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
(b) GRADUATE TRAINEESHIPS.—The Director of the 
National Science Foundation may establish a program to 
provide traineeships to graduate students at institutions 
of higher education within the United States who are citi-
zens of the United States and who choose to pursue mas-
ters or doctoral degrees in quantum information science. 
TITLE IV—DEPARTMENT OF EN-
ERGY 
RESEARCH 
AND 
NA-
TIONAL QUANTUM INFORMA-
TION 
SCIENCE 
RESEARCH 
CENTERS 
SEC. 401. QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH 
PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Energy shall 
carry out a basic research program on quantum informa-
tion science. 
(b) PROGRAM COMPONENTS.—In carrying out the 
program required under subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall— 
(1) formulate goals for quantum information 
science research to be supported by the Department 
of Energy;
(2) leverage the collective body of knowledge 
from existing quantum information science research; 
(3) coordinate research efforts funded through 
existing programs across the Office of Science; and 
(4) engage with other Federal agencies, re-
search communities, and potential users of informa-
tion produced under this section. 
SEC. 402. NATIONAL QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE RE-
SEARCH CENTERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Energy shall en-
sure that the Office of Science carries out a program, in 
consultation with other Federal agencies, as appropriate, 
to establish and operate up to five National Quantum In-
formation Science Research Centers to conduct basic re-
search to accelerate scientific breakthroughs in quantum 
information science and technology and to support re-
search conducted under section 401. Such centers shall 
be established through a competitive, merit-reviewed proc-
ess, and consider applications from National Laboratories, 
institutions of higher education, research centers, multi- 
institutional collaborations, and other appropriate entities. 
(b) COLLABORATIONS.—A collaboration receiving an 
award under this subsection may include multiple types 
of research institutions and private sector entities.