The International Quantum Research Exchange Act would require the Secretary of State to establish and carry out a program to enhance international cooperation in quantum information science through the competitive awarding of matching grants to institutions of higher education or eligible nonprofit organizations (or consortia thereof) engaged in international collaborative research, and to support international scientist exchange programs of varying lengths. The program must align with the National Quantum Information Science Strategy, coordinate with relevant federal offices, and only fund collaborations with countries that have signed quantum cooperation statements with the United States or that are members of the Five Eyes alliance.
It also incorporates research-security safeguards consistent with current policy guidance. The bill authorizes $20 million for fiscal year 2026 and provides a 10-year sunset, with annual reporting to Congress on activities and priority partner countries.
At a Glance
What It Does
The Secretary of State shall establish and run a program to boost international QIS cooperation through matching grants to HEIs or eligible nonprofits (or consortia) for international research, and through international scientist exchanges of varying durations.
Who It Affects
Recipients are institutions of higher education and eligible nonprofit organizations engaged in international QIS research, plus participating researchers and visiting scientists.
Why It Matters
It accelerates quantum research by pooling international resources while embedding governance and security guardrails to protect U.S. interests.
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What This Bill Actually Does
The bill tasks the Secretary of State with creating a formal program to advance quantum information science through two principal channels: competitive matching grants to U.S. higher education institutions or eligible nonprofits working on international collaborations, and international scientist exchange programs that can range from short to long visits. The program is designed to coordinate with the broader U.S. quantum ecosystem—working with the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Quantum Coordination Office, and the NSTC subcommittees—to ensure alignment with national strategy and to restrict collaborations to partner countries that have signed formal quantum cooperation statements with the United States or that are part of Five Eyes.
It also requires compliance with security guidance related to research integrity and foreign influence, drawing on existing statutes and presidential policy. The bill authorizes initial funding of $20 million for FY2026 and sets a sunset at 10 years, with annual reporting to Congress describing activities and priority partner countries.
The Five Things You Need to Know
Authorization of $20,000,000 for FY2026 to fund the program.
Recipients include institutions of higher education or eligible nonprofits (or consortia) for international QIS research.
Funding is limited to collaborations with countries that have signed quantum cooperation statements or are Five Eyes members (no funding with foreign adversaries).
Coordination with OSTP, the National Quantum Coordination Office, and NSTC subcommittees to ensure strategy alignment.
A 10-year sunset with annual congressional reporting on activities and priorities.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
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Program Establishment: Grants and Exchanges
The Secretary of State must establish and operate a program to enhance international cooperation in quantum information science through competitive, matching grants to institutions of higher education or eligible nonprofit organizations (or consortia) engaged in international collaborative research. The program also supports international scientist exchange programs of varying lengths, from short visits to multi-year research exchanges.
Coordination and Governance
In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall coordinate with the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Quantum Coordination Office, and NSTC subcommittees focused on quantum information science and its economic and security implications. This ensures alignment with federal strategy and that funded collaborations meet predefined policy and security standards.
Strategic Alignment and Funding Conditions
The Secretary must align activities with the National Quantum Information Science Strategy and may only fund programs with partner countries that have signed quantum cooperation statements or are Five Eyes members. Funding cannot be extended to foreign adversaries as defined in the relevant defense authorization act.
Research Security and Integrity
Activities under the program must comply with established federal guidance on research security and integrity, including protections against foreign influence and exploitation in research and development funded by the federal government. This integrates existing security frameworks into the program’s operations.
Reporting and Funding Sunset
The Secretary must submit an annual report to Congress describing the prior year’s activities and listing priority partner countries. The act authorizes $20 million for FY2026 and provides a sunset after 10 years, after which authorities terminate unless renewed.
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Explore Technology in Codify Search →Who Benefits and Who Bears the Cost
Every bill creates winners and losers. Here's who stands to gain and who bears the cost.
Who Benefits
- Researchers at U.S. universities and eligible nonprofit research centers engaged in international QIS collaboration gain access to matching funds to advance joint projects.
- Graduate students and early-career scientists who participate in international exchanges gain opportunities for training and networking.
- Domestic institutions that host or partner on international QIS projects expand their research portfolios and prestige.
- U.S. industry partners that participate through university-led consortia benefit from shared R&D and potential tech transfer.
- Federal policy bodies (OSTP, NQI Office, NSTC) obtain clearer alignment with national strategy and enhanced interagency coordination.
Who Bears the Cost
- Recipient institutions incur administration and reporting costs to apply for grants and manage funded projects.
- Universities and nonprofits face compliance costs associated with rigorous security and integrity requirements.
- U.S. government agencies must allocate staff and resources to coordinate, monitor, and audit program activities.
- Taxpayers fund the program through the authorized $20 million appropriation for FY2026, with ongoing budgetary implications over the 10-year horizon.
- Restrictions to partner countries (signatories or Five Eyes) could constrain certain research collaborations and limit potential international partners.
Key Issues
The Core Tension
The central dilemma is whether to maximize open international collaboration in quantum information science by broadening partner eligibility, or to constrain collaboration for security reasons by restricting funding to formal alliances—potentially slowing scientific progress but reducing risk.
The bill strikes a careful balance between ambitious international collaboration in quantum information science and national security considerations. By tying funding to allied partners and requiring alignment with a national strategy and existing security guidance, it aims to enable meaningful, safe, and auditable cooperation.
The sunset provision and annual reporting create regular opportunities to reassess the program’s structure, effectiveness, and alignment with evolving policy priorities. A central tension is ensuring broad enough engagement to accelerate progress in QIS while preserving safeguards against foreign influence and exploitation.
Implementation will require precise oversight to avoid duplicative efforts, manage administrative burdens on grantees, and maintain security standards as the quantum information landscape evolves.
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