QED-C supports National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2024

NQI Reauthorization Act will ensure US leadership by supporting a broad portfolio of basic research, promoting engagement with industry and international partners, and building a quantum-ready workforce.

The Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C®) wholeheartedly supports the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act and applauds the bipartisan work of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to ensure United States leadership in the critical and emerging field of quantum information science, engineering, and technology.

Since its inception in 2018, the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) has established a robust multiagency program that has built a broad research foundation that will not only advance scientific understanding but will serve as a wellspring for applications that provide economic competitiveness, national security, and societal benefit. Moreover, the growing academic research portfolio produces graduates with diverse specializations who will be essential to the growing workforce in industry and research laboratories.

The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act (NQIRA) provides for timely and important updates and additions to the original NQI. It balances the need for sustained investment in fundamental research with an eye on practical applications. The incentives for stronger collaboration among researchers in academia, national laboratories, and industry called for in the NQIRA will help to accelerate growth of the quantum economy, creating revenue for the “quantum makers” and value for the “quantum takers” and high-paying jobs for scientists, engineers, and technicians, as well as in business, sales and other key roles.

Quantum technology innovation is taking place globally and competition is fierce. The United States cannot go it alone and still maintain a lead in quantum computing, communications, networking, sensing, cybersecurity, and associated enabling technologies. Barriers to trade, collaboration, and flow of talent present risks to the nascent industry and its supply chain. The NQIRA promotes greater international collaboration with allies and partners to “run faster” than adversaries.

Finally, the Act takes steps to grow the talent pipeline of qualified workers at all levels—from technicians to post-docs—to meet the broad needs of the quantum ecosystem.

Since its establishment under the NQI Act of 2018, QED-C has created a trusted community from across the “quantum stack”, comprising approximately 260 members including over 175 corporations developing systems and components for quantum computing, communications, and sensing. QED-C has a mission to build a robust quantum industry and supply chain by identifying use cases and gaps that need to be filled as well as industry-backed strategies to fill the gaps. Moreover, QED-C is ready, willing, and able to support agencies with a focus on research and development as well as those considering the application of quantum technologies toward their mission.

QED-C Steering Committee

Joe Broz, IBM

Scott Davis, Vescent Technologies

Eric Holland, Keysight

Mike Larsen, Northrop Grumman

Davide Venturelli, Universities Space Research Association

Carl Williams, CJW Quantum Consulting

Celia Merzbacher, QED-C Executive Director, SRI International