NIST

This week, top officials at the National Institute of Standards and Technology sketched out the agency’s three-pronged strategy for advancing quantum information science. Marquee elements include forming a Quantum Economic Development Consortium and commercializing quantum sensors developed through the “NIST on a Chip” program.

Last week, the House Science Committee advanced bipartisan legislation that would launch a 10-year National Quantum Initiative to increase coordination and funding of quantum R&D supported by the Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, and National Institute of Standards and Technology. Meanwhile, in the Senate, leaders of the Commerce Committee have introduced a companion bill, and the Armed Services Committee is seeking to establish a separate quantum R&D program for the defense agencies.

Funding for the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s research account would remain steady under the fiscal year 2019 spending bills advanced by House and Senate appropriators. However, the budget for NIST research facility construction would be more than halved from the elevated level the agency received for fiscal year 2018.

The House Science Committee plans to introduce a bill next month that would create a 10-year National Quantum Initiative aimed at increasing America’s strategic focus on quantum information science and technology development.

Draft spending bills advanced this week in the House offer initial indications of the outlook for federal science funding in fiscal year 2019. The picture emerging is largely positive, with House appropriators seeking substantial increases for several science agencies.

Increasing the odds that the fruits of federally funded R&D traverse the so-called “valley of death” between the lab and the market without spoiling has emerged as a top priority of the Trump administration.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is receiving the largest funding increase, by percentage, of the science agencies in the fiscal year 2018 appropriations law. Most of the increase is designated for research facility construction, but nearly all major NIST programs will see at least flat funding.

The Trump administration has proposed decreasing the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s budget by 34 percent in fiscal year 2019, a steeper cut than it sought last year.

At a Senate hearing held to review implementation of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, the directors of the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology as well as several senators raised concerns about how rising international competition in R&D threatens U.S. economic competitiveness and leadership in innovation.

At a recent stakeholder forum, National Institute of Standards and Technology Director Walter Copan said he plans for NIST to lead a review of the laws underpinning federal technology transfer policy. He also said expanding the agency’s work in quantum science and engineering is among his priorities.