The White House’s National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) issued a new report on Monday that offers policy recommendations for the U.S. government in order to advance international cooperation in quantum information science and technology (QIST).
The report – from the NSTC Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science (SCQIS) – augments the 2018 National Strategic Overview for Quantum Information Science with additional policy recommendations related to international cooperation.
“While the United States has supported international cooperation in QIST for decades, opportunities exist to adjust and strengthen its approach that will better position the nation to both leverage international engagements and advance U.S. priorities related to QIST,” the report says.
Specifically, the report offers three key recommendations to bolster international cooperation in QIST. The first recommendation is that the U.S. government should create dedicated and long-term mechanisms to fund international QIST collaboration and cooperation.
The White House explained that the United States has a federated funding model “with individual agencies having a variety of programmatic mechanisms.” While this model works well for pioneering innovation, the report explains that it’s not the best model for participating in multinational cooperative partnerships.
“By prioritizing dedicated international cooperation funding for QIST, the United States can demonstrate leadership, nurture the talent pipeline and supply chain, and accelerate the deployment of quantum technologies,” the report says.
The second recommendation is that agencies should enhance interagency coordination of international cooperation practices to reinforce an integrated U.S. government-wide portfolio for international QIST engagement.
According to the report, this will help to speed along international coordination efforts, reduce barriers, facilitate the sharing of effective practices, enhance technology protection, and leverage joint investments.
The third and final recommendation is that the U.S. government should establish and track metrics for global competitiveness across QIST and its enabling technologies.
The report acknowledges that this will “require dedicated resources, time, and scientific expertise from across the agencies,” along with input from the SCQIS and the Subcommittee on Economic and Security Implications of Quantum Science.
“As an initial step, the United States should develop a common set of definitions and indicative benchmarks across QIST with international partners that are technology agnostic,” the report says. “Not only would such an effort track progress, but it would also be an aid to identify when compelling applications and technologies warrant increased attention.”
“Taken together, these recommendations will support U.S. leadership in QIST and the continued development of a global QIST enterprise that is science driven, vibrant, and secure,” the report concludes.
