WASHINGTON, DC – February 5, 2025 – The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Commission on U.S. Quantum Leadership has published its culminative report on how to best advance U.S. quantum innovation to address immediate security issues and ensure technological and commercial competitiveness. The report details how the United States can better support research, expand key partnerships with allies, and move toward commercial applications. The Commission’s overarching recommendation is that Congress should double funding for quantum research and development at the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, National Institute for Technology and Standards, Department of Defense, and other executive departments and agencies through reauthorizing the National Quantum Initiative and using this as the coordinating vehicle to accelerate R&D.

"Exploiting physics to build new technology has been fundamental to American prosperity from Edison's electrical inventions to Silicon Valley's transistors,” said commission co-chair Dr. Will Zeng. “The future will be built with quantum technologies, and we must work to secure our leadership. We need significant, targeted government policies that unleash and catalyze America's world leading private industries to win this race."

Quantum technology is one of the key critical and emerging technologies that will shape the future of security, scientific advancement, and economic growth. The Commission’s call for a significant increase in spending comes alongside a recommendation to focus on harnessing the United States’ unique innovation economy and entrepreneurial landscape to guarantee technological advantage over foreign competitors.

Over the past 12 months, the Commission—convened by the CSIS Strategic Technologies Program and comprised of members from academia, industry, and former government officials—has hosted meetings and held briefings on the best path forward to ensure the United States remains the global leader in quantum technologies, focusing on how the U.S. government should best support the quantum ecosystem.

Adm. Michael S. Rogers (ret.), commission co-chair, stated: “Quantum technology has the potential to drive groundbreaking innovation and strengthen resilience in both economic and strategic areas. This report addresses the key security concerns of what we could face if we fall behind in the quantum race, and most importantly the opportunities presented if we charge ahead.”

James A. Lewis, former director of the CSIS Strategic Technologies Program, added: “Scientific leadership has been at the core of America's global leadership for decades and investing now in quantum technologies will ensure that American leadership continues.”