The National Quantum Initiative (NQI) Supplement to the President’s FY 2025 Budget is designed to underscore the federal government’s commitment to advancing quantum information science (QIS) to bolster economic prosperity and national security.

Why It Matters

The NQI Supplement, developed under the National Science and Technology Council, offers insights into federal quantum research and development (R&D) priorities and funding strategies (Read the full document here.)

• Strategic Investment: Over $1 billion allocated to QIS R&D in FY 2024 and FY 2025 to enhance innovation in quantum computing, networking, and sensing.
• Leadership Goals: Reinforces the U.S. aim to maintain global leadership in QIS, strengthening both academic and industrial ecosystems.
• Economic and Security Benefits: Focused on transformative technologies with applications in national defense, healthcare, energy, and more.

Key Points

Budget Priorities:

•  FY 2025 budget request includes $998 million for QIS, spanning initiatives by NIST, NSF, DOE, DOD, and NASA.
•  Investments target quantum-enabled technologies, infrastructure, and a skilled workforce.

Scientific Advances:

•  Progress in quantum networking, post-quantum cryptography, and sensing technologies is enabling new applications.
•  DOE’s Quantum Information Science Research Centers are central to advancing quantum computing and material sciences.

Workforce Development:

•   Programs like NSF’s ExpandQISE initiative and DOE’s NQISRC internships aim to cultivate a diverse quantum workforce.
•   Collaboration with educational institutions fosters quantum education at all levels.

International Cooperation:

•  Bilateral agreements with allies and initiatives like the Entanglement Exchange facilitate global collaboration in QIS research and innovation.

Infrastructure Enhancements:

•  Facilities like NSF’s National Quantum Nanofab and DOE’s Quantum Garage provide shared resources for quantum device development.

What’s Next

Agencies will continue to refine the National Strategic Overview for QIS, focusing on metrics to evaluate progress.

Efforts to bridge the gap between basic research and market-ready technologies will intensify through industry partnerships.

Workforce expansion remains a priority, ensuring diverse representation and sustained growth in quantum-related fields.

Recommendations

Business leaders should:

• Monitor emerging quantum technologies for integration into strategies and operations.
• Leverage federal resources and programs to engage in quantum R&D.
• Advocate for policies and collaborations that accelerate quantum innovation and adoption.

For Additional Insights See

• The Executive’s Guide to Quantum Computing and Quantum Security: Learn the concepts behind quantum information science.
• Quantum Computing and Quantum Security Sensemaking: A reference to key OODA research on all things quantum.
• The Executive’s Guide to Quantum Security: A reference to steps to take now to ensure quantum security including protecting against Harvest Now Decrypt Later attacks.
• Is Quantum Computing Ushering in an Era of No More Secrets?: Context from OODA’s Matt Devost on the very near future of quantum computing.
• What To Do About Quantum Uncertainty: Guess what, besides uncertainty at a quantum level there is great uncertainty among business and policy makers regarding Quantum Computing.
• AI, quantum computing and 5G could make criminals more dangerous than ever, warn police: Quantum is one of many emerging technologies that law enforcement professionals are tracking
• Intel offers AI breakthrough in quantum computing: This article is more about quantum simulations for AI, but shows the ecosystem that is developing around the technology
• Quantum Computing That Can Crack Modern Encryption More Than a Decade Away: When we see reports like this we wonder what qualifies the experts to say this. But in this case the experts are the National Academies of Sciences.
• Could quantum computers render current bitcoin and most blockchain cryptography powerless?: There is a worry that new algorithms that could run on quantum computing could attack blockchain and asymmetric encryption.