Quantum Network Infrastructure and Workforce Development Act of 2021
Bill: S.1161 | Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John (R-SD)
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
Quantum Network Infrastructure and Workforce Development Act of 2021
This bill supports research in quantum networking and communications.
The Quantum Networking Working Group within the Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science of the National Science and Technology Council shall submit to Congress a report that has a plan for the advancement of quantum networking and communications technology in the United States.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology shall carry out research to facilitate the development and standardization of quantum networking and communications technologies and applications.
The Department of Energy shall supplement the Energy Sciences Network User Facility with dedicated quantum network infrastructure to advance development of quantum networking and communications technology.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) shall enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study ways of supporting the next generation of quantum leaders.
The NSF shall prioritize the better integration of quantum information science and engineering into the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum for each grade level from kindergarten through grade 12.
The NSF shall carry out the Next Generation Quantum Leaders Pilot Program to provide funding for the education and training of the next generation of students in the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics.

To promote focused research and innovation in quantum communications 
 and quantum network infrastructure to bolster internet security, and 
                          for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Quantum Network Infrastructure and 
Workforce Development Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) ESEA definitions.--The terms ``elementary school'', 
        ``high school'', ``local educational agency'', and ``secondary 
        school'' have the meanings given those terms in section 8101 of 
        the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        7801).
            (2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
        ``appropriate committees of Congress'' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 2 of the National Quantum Initiative Act 
        (15 U.S.C. 8801).
            (3) Interagency working group.--The term ``Interagency 
        Working Group'' means the Interagency Working Group on 
        Workforce, Industry, and Infrastructure under the Subcommittee 
        on Quantum Information Science of the National Science and 
        Technology Council.
            (4) Q2Work program.--The term ``Q2Work Program'' means the 
        Q2Work Program supported by the National Science Foundation.
            (5) Quantum information science.--The term ``quantum 
        information science'' has the meaning given such term in 
        section 2 of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15 U.S.C. 
        8801).
            (6) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' means science, technology, 
        engineering, and mathematics.

SEC. 3. QUANTUM NETWORKING WORKING GROUP REPORT ON QUANTUM NETWORKING 
              AND COMMUNICATIONS.

    (a) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Quantum Networking Working Group within the 
Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science of the National Science and 
Technology Council shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress a report detailing a plan for the advancement of quantum 
networking and communications technology in the United States.
    (b) Requirements.--The report under subsection (a) shall include--
            (1) a framework for interagency collaboration on the 
        advancement of quantum networking and communications research;
            (2) a plan for interagency collaboration on the development 
        and drafting of international standards for quantum 
        communications technology, including standards relating to--
                    (A) quantum cryptography and post-quantum classical 
                cryptography;
                    (B) network security;
                    (C) quantum network infrastructure;
                    (D) transmission of quantum information through 
                optical fiber networks; and
                    (E) any other technologies considered appropriate 
                by the Working Group;
            (3) a proposal for the protection of national security 
        interests relating to the advancement of quantum networking and 
        communications technology;
            (4) recommendations to Congress for legislative action 
        relating to the framework, plan, and proposal set forth 
        pursuant to paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), respectively; and
            (5) such other matters as the Working Group considers 
        necessary to advance the security of communications and network 
        infrastructure, remain at the forefront of scientific discovery 
        in the quantum information science domain, and transition 
        quantum information science research into the emerging quantum 
        technology economy.

SEC. 4. QUANTUM NETWORKING AND COMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH.

    (a) Research.--The Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and 
Technology shall carry out research to facilitate the development and 
standardization of quantum networking and communications technologies 
and applications, including research on the following:
            (1) Quantum cryptography and post-quantum classical 
        cryptography.
            (2) Quantum repeater technology.
            (3) Quantum network traffic management.
            (4) Quantum transduction.
            (5) Long baseline entanglement and teleportation.
            (6) Such other technologies, processes, or applications as 
        the Under Secretary considers appropriate.
    (b) Implementation.--The Under Secretary shall carry out the 
research required by subsection (a) through such divisions, 
laboratories, offices and programs of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology as the Under Secretary considers appropriate 
and actively engaged in activities relating to quantum information 
science.
    (c) Development of Standards.--For quantum technologies deemed by 
the Under Secretary to be at a readiness level sufficient for 
standardization, the Under Secretary shall provide technical review and 
assistance to such other Federal agencies as the Under Secretary 
considers appropriate for the development of quantum network 
infrastructure standards.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
        the Scientific and Technical Research and Services account of 
        the National Institute of Standards and Technology to carry out 
        this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 
        2026.
            (2) Supplement, not supplant.--The amounts authorized to be 
        appropriated under paragraph (1) shall supplement and not 
        supplant amounts already appropriated to the account described 
        in such paragraph.

SEC. 5. ENERGY SCIENCES NETWORK.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy (referred to in this 
section as the ``Secretary'') shall supplement the Energy Sciences 
Network User Facility (referred to in this section as the ``Network'') 
with dedicated quantum network infrastructure to advance development of 
quantum networking and communications technology.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of subsection (a) is to utilize the 
Network to advance a broad range of testing and research, including 
relating to--
            (1) the establishment of stable, long-baseline quantum 
        entanglement and teleportation;
            (2) quantum repeater technologies for long-baseline 
        communication purposes;
            (3) quantum transduction;
            (4) the coexistence of quantum and classical information;
            (5) multiplexing, forward error correction, wavelength 
        routing algorithms, and other quantum networking 
        infrastructure; and
            (6) any other technologies or applications determined 
        necessary by the Secretary.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section such sums as 
are necessary for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

SEC. 6. QUANTUM WORKFORCE EVALUATION AND ACCELERATION.

    (a) Identification of Gaps.--The National Science Foundation shall 
enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, 
Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study of ways to support the 
next generation of quantum leaders.
    (b) Scope of Study.--In carrying out the study described in 
subsection (a), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 
Medicine shall identify--
            (1) education gaps, including foundational courses in STEM 
        and areas in need of standardization, in elementary school, 
        middle school, high school, and higher education curricula, 
        that need to be rectified in order to prepare students to 
        participate in the quantum workforce;
            (2) the skills and workforce needs of industry, 
        specifically identifying the cross-disciplinary academic 
        degrees or academic courses necessary--
                    (A) to qualify students for multiple career 
                pathways in quantum information sciences and related 
                fields;
                    (B) to ensure the United States is competitive in 
                the field of quantum information science while 
                preserving national security; and
                    (C) to support the development of quantum 
                applications; and
            (3) the resources and materials needed to train elementary, 
        middle, and high school educators to effectively teach 
        curricula relevant to the development of a quantum workforce.
    (c) Reports.--
            (1) Executive summary.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the National Academies of 
        Science, Engineering, and Medicine shall prepare and submit to 
        the National Science Foundation, and programs or projects 
        funded by the National Science Foundation, an executive summary 
        of progress regarding the study conducted under subsection (a) 
        that outlines the findings of the Academies as of such date.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the National Academies of Science, 
        Engineering, and Medicine shall prepare and submit a report 
        containing the results of the study conducted under subsection 
        (a) to Congress, the National Science Foundation, and programs 
        or projects funded by the National Science Foundation that are 
        relevant to the acceleration of a quantum workforce.

SEC. 7. INCORPORATING QISE INTO STEM CURRICULUM.

    (a) In General.--The National Science Foundation shall, through 
programs carried out or supported by the National Science Foundation, 
prioritize the better integration of quantum information science and 
engineering (referred to in this section as ``QISE'') into the STEM 
curriculum for each grade level from kindergarten through grade 12.
    (b) Requirements.--The curriculum integration under subsection (a) 
shall include--
            (1) methods to conceptualize QISE for each grade level from 
        kindergarten through grade 12;
            (2) methods for strengthening foundational mathematics and 
        science curricula;
            (3) age-appropriate materials that apply the principles of 
        quantum information science in STEM fields;
            (4) recommendations for the standardization of key 
        concepts, definitions, and curriculum criteria across 
        government, academia, and industry; and
            (5) materials that specifically address the findings and 
        outcomes of the study conducted under section 6 and strategies 
        to account for the skills and workforce needs identified 
        through the study.
    (c) Coordination.--In carrying out this section, the National 
Science Foundation, including the STEM Education Advisory Panel and the 
Advancing Informal STEM Learning program and through the National 
Science Foundation's role in the National Q-12 Education Partnership 
and the Q2Work Program, shall coordinate with the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy, EPSCoR eligible universities, and any Federal 
agencies or working groups determined necessary by the National Science 
Foundation.
    (d) Review.--In implementing this section, the National Science 
Foundation shall review and provide necessary updates to the related 
report entitled ``Key Concepts for Future QIS Learners'' (May 2020).

SEC. 8. QUANTUM EDUCATION PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The National Science Foundation, through the 
National Science Foundation's role in the National Q-12 Education 
Partnership and the Q2Work Program, and in coordination with the 
Directorate for Education and Human Resources, shall carry out a pilot 
program, to be known as the ``Next Generation Quantum Leaders Pilot 
Program'', to provide funding for the education and training of the 
next generation of students in the fundamental principles of quantum 
mechanics.
    (b) Requirements.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the pilot program required 
        by subsection (a), the National Science Foundation shall--
                    (A) publish a call for applications through the 
                National Q-12 Education Partnership website (or similar 
                website) for participation in the pilot program from 
                elementary schools, secondary schools, and State 
                educational agencies;
                    (B) coordinate with educational service agencies, 
                associations that support STEM educators or local 
                educational agencies, and partnerships through the Q-12 
                Education Partnership, to encourage elementary schools, 
                secondary schools, and State educational agencies to 
                participate in the program;
                    (C) accept applications for a period of 5 months in 
                advance of the academic year in which the program shall 
                begin;
                    (D) select elementary schools, secondary schools, 
                and State educational agencies to participate in the 
                program, in accordance with qualifications determined 
                by the Interagency Working Group, in coordination with 
                the National Q-12 Education Partnership; and
                    (E) in coordination with the National Q-12 
                Education Partnership, identify qualifying advanced 
                degree students, or recent advanced degree graduates, 
                with experience in the field of quantum information 
                science to provide feedback and assistance to educators 
                selected to participate in the pilot program.
            (2) Prioritization.--In selecting program participants 
        under paragraph (1)(D), the Director of the National Science 
        Foundation shall give priority to elementary schools, secondary 
        schools, and local educational agencies located in 
        jurisdictions eligible to participate in the Established 
        Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (commonly known as 
        ``EPSCoR''), including Tribal and rural elementary, middle, and 
        high schools in such jurisdictions.
    (c) Consultation.--The National Science Foundation shall carry out 
this section in consultation with the Interagency Working Group.
    (d) Reporting.--
            (1) Report and selected participants.--Not later than 180 
        days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of 
        the National Science Foundation shall submit to Congress a 
        report on the educational institutions selected to participate 
        in the pilot program required under subsection (a), specifying 
        the percentage from nontraditional geographies, including 
        Tribal or rural school districts.
            (2) Report on implementation of curriculum.--Not later than 
        2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director 
        of the National Science Foundation shall submit to Congress a 
        report on implementation of the curricula and materials under 
        the pilot program, including the feasibility and advisability 
        of expanding such pilot program to include additional 
        educational institutions beyond those originally selected to 
        participate in the pilot program.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated such funds as may be necessary to carry out this section.
    (f) Termination.--This section shall cease to have effect on the 
date that is 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
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