On December 21, 2018, President Trump signed the National Quantum Initiative Act (Public Law 115-368) into law. The act established a ten-year National Quantum Initiative Program to accelerate quantum information science and technology research and development for the economic and national security of the United States.
Key provisions included authorization for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Energy to strengthen their quantum programs and establish new research centers. The act also created the National Quantum Coordination Office within OSTP, the NSTC Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science, and a National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee.
NIST was directed to convene a consortium of stakeholders to identify future measurement, standards, and cybersecurity needs for the quantum industry. The Senate passed the legislation unanimously prior to the president’s signature.