Updated July 2, 2018
Federal Quantum Information Science: An Overview
Combining elements of mathematics, computer science,
impeding progress in QIS R&D. More recently, in early
engineering, and physical sciences, quantum information
2018, the President recognized QIS as one of several
science (QIS) has the potential to provide capabilities far
emerging technologies that he sees as key to American
beyond what is possible with the most advanced
prosperity and named an OSTP assistant director for QIS.
technologies available today. This In Focus provides an
overview of QIS technologies, including examples of their
The overall annual federal budget for QIS R&D is difficult
existing and future applications; brief summaries of funding
to calculate across the many departments receiving such
and selected initiatives in research and development (R&D)
funding, but some analyses put that figure between $200
in the United States and elsewhere around the world; a
and $250 million. It is also difficult to determine the budget
description of U.S. congressional activity; and a discussion
figures that the intelligence community, DOD, and other
of related policy considerations.
classified programs have committed to QIS R&D.
Technologies and Applications
Although the federal government has conducted QIS R&D
In quantum computing, rather than bits of information that
for many years, it has not explicitly made it a national
can be encoded as 0 or 1, qubits of information can take on
priority, stated any formal federal R&D goals, or
the value 0, or 1, or both simultaneously. This greatly
established a national quantum initiative or agenda
enhances computing ability.
(legislation has been introduced for this purpose). This
stands in contrast with the European Union (EU), China,
Although much of the press coverage of QIS has been
the United Kingdom (UK), and Canada, each of which has
devoted to quantum computing, there is more to QIS. Many
made strong statements in support of QIS R&D and
experts divide QIS technologies into four application areas:
supported those statements with explicit funding.
sensing and metrology, communications, computing, and
simulation. Others combine computing and simulation as a
International Funding and Initiatives
single category.
QIS R&D is being pursued at major research centers
Sensing and metrology—performing navigation,
worldwide, with the EU and China having the largest
locating mineral deposits, keeping precise time;
foreign QIS programs. The UK and Canada have also made
Communications—generating quantum keys for
high-profile investments in QIS R&D, while Australia and
encryption, sending quantum-secure communications
the Netherlands have made smaller investments. Even
(any eavesdropping attempt destroys the communication
without explicit QIS initiatives, other countries, including
and the eavesdropping is detected);
Russia, Germany, and Austria, are making strides in QIS. A
Computing—performing some computations much
report by the Institute for Defense Analysis, Assessment of
faster than is possible using conventional high-
the Future Economic Impact of Quantum Information
performance computers; and
Science (2017) and witness testimony at congressional
Simulation—determining the properties of materials
hearings have provided information on these programs.
such as high-temperature superconductors, modeling
nuclear and particle physics.
European Union. Outlined in the EU’s 2016 Quantum
Manifesto and scheduled to launch in 2018, the EU’s
U.S. Government Funding and Initiatives Quantum Technologies Flagship program is a $1.1 billion,
The government’s interest in QIS dates back at least to the
10-year initiative to commercialize the EU’s investment in
mid-1990s, when the National Institute of Standards and
basic QIS R&D. Additionally, the program seeks to
Technology (NIST) and the Department of Defense (DOD)
consolidate and expand European scientific leadership and
held their first workshops on the topic. QIS is first
excellence in QIS R&D; promote a competitive European
mentioned in the FY2008 budget of what is now the
industry in QIS; and bring QIS R&D, businesses, and
Networking and Information Technology Research and
investments to the EU.
Development Program and has been a component of the
program since then. Today, QIS is a component of the
China. China designated QIS research as one of four
National Strategic Computing Initiative (Presidential
“megaprojects” in its 15-year science and technology
Executive Order 13702), which was established in 2015.
development plan for 2006-2020. Additionally, it
The following year, the National Science and Technology
designated quantum communications and computing one of
Council (NTSC), under the purview of the White House
six major goals for this period. China’s annual funding for
Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), issued
QIS R&D has been estimated at $244 million.
Advancing Quantum Information Science: National
Challenges and Opportunities. This report provided an
On September 29, 2017, China was the first country to
overview of QIS technologies and applications, surveyed
achieve two QIS milestones: Operating a long-distance
federal government investment in QIS, and identified issues
quantum communication landline between Beijing and
https://crsreports.congress.gov
Federal Quantum Information Science: An Overview
Shanghai and conducting the first quantum-encrypted video
Institutional Boundaries. QIS research is often conducted
call. In 2017, the country also began construction of a
within institutional boundaries with little coordination. For
national QIS science center. China also actively seeks out
example, federal departments, and even agencies and
QIS experts. Since 2008, China has provided incentives to
offices within a department, have sponsored R&D at
attract Chinese QIS experts and entrepreneurs who live
universities in different disciplines to address unique
overseas back to China.
federal mission requirements. As a result, coordination and
collaboration among university researchers is difficult. The
United Kingdom. In 2013, the UK established a five-year,
creation of diverse, cross-cutting teams is seen by many as
$440 million National Quantum Technologies Program to
vital to success. Many observers and researchers contend
translate QIS R&D into commercial technologies. The UK
that partnerships that encourage such collaboration will lead
spends approximately $1 billion annually on technology
to greater progress than working alone.
research and postgraduate training. QIS technologies
account for about 4% of that total.
Education and Workforce Training. Scientists and
industry representatives contend that current academic
Canada. Canada’s Perimeter Institute and University of
education and workforce training are insufficient for
Waterloo lead that country’s QIS R&D. They received a
continued progress in QIS R&D, which requires a diverse,
$56 million award from the Canada First Research
cross-cutting range of skills and expertise that varies from
Excellence Fund in 2016.
one application to another. For example, while a deep
knowledge of quantum mechanics, taught in physics
U.S. Congressional Activity,
departments, is required for QIS basic research and
115th Congress
applications development, disciplines taught in other
departments (e.g., computer science, applied mathematics,
The House has held three hearings on QIS:
and electrical engineering) are needed as well.
American Leadership in Quantum Technology,
Multidisciplinary QIS centers at universities and federal
House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
labs (e.g., DOE, NIST) may be a solution to this problem.
Subcommittee on Research and Technology and
Subcommittee on Energy, October 24, 2017.
Technology and Knowledge Transfer. Impediments to
China’s Pursuit of Emerging and Exponential
creating successful commercial QIS products include
Technologies, House Armed Services Committee
licensing intellectual property from universities and
Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities,
obtaining patents, lack of a strong venture capital
January 9, 2018.
environment, and difficulty connecting qualified graduates
Disrupter Series: Quantum Computing, House
and experienced scientists with companies. Industry and
Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on
government representatives have noted that some programs
Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection, May 18,
do exist to address these issues, but that challenges remain.
2018.
The Senate has introduced two bills and the House has
Materials and Fabrication. Advancement of QIS
introduced one bill related to QIS:
applications depends on improving the tools needed for the
reliable fabrication of quantum materials, such as the ability
Quantum Computing Research Act (S. 2998),
to miniaturize hardware that may currently fill a room.
introduced by Senator Kamala Harris on June 5, 2018.
These challenges are not fully understood, but scientists
The bill would require the Secretary of Defense to
agree that advancing QIS R&D depends upon solving them.
establish the Defense Quantum Information Consortium.
National Quantum Initiative Act (S. 3143, H.R.
Level and Stability of Funding. Like other R&D
6227), introduced in the Senate on June 26, 2018, by
programs, QIS is affected by fluctuations in federal
Senator John Thune, and in the House on June 27, 2018,
funding. Some assert that such fluctuations have slowed
by Representative Lamar Smith. These bills would
QIS progress, as well as the development of a fully
establish a federal program to accelerate U.S. QIS R&D.
qualified workforce. Some of the funding instability has
U.S. Policy Considerations
been attributed to insufficient coordination among federal
agencies, which has led to uncertainty in university research
In its July 2016 report, the NTSC stated that creating a
programs. This uncertainty may have contributed to
cohesive and effective U.S. QIS R&D policy would require
promising researchers seeking opportunities outside the
a collaborative effort among government, academia, and the
United States or being actively recruited by foreign entities.
private sector. The report cited four key areas that need to
be addressed in crafting an effective policy: institutional
QIS R&D Policy There is a consensus among many U.S.
boundaries; education and workforce training; technology
scientists and federal agency leaders that the current lack of
and knowledge transfer; and the level and stability of
a unified national policy for QIS may hurt R&D efforts in
funding. These topics were reiterated in the DOE report
the long run. However, who would lead this unified effort
Quantum Sensors at the Intersections of Fundamental
and how much it could cost is unclear.
Science, Quantum Information Science, and Computing
(2016), and during congressional hearings. Also, as noted
earlier, experts express concern that the United States has
Patricia Moloney Figliola, Specialist in Internet and
not yet explicitly made QIS a national priority.
Telecommunications Policy
IF10872
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Federal Quantum Information Science: An Overview
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