Executive Order 14413 of June 22, 2026 Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation

Executive Order 14413 of June 22, 2026, titled "Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation," outlines a comprehensive, whole-of-government strategy to accelerate the deployment and commercialization of quantum information science and technology (QIST) in the United States. This order aims to solidify American leadership in QIST, drive economic growth, create jobs, bolster national security, and protect sensitive technologies from adversaries.

Purpose and Policy

• The Executive Order declares that America is at the forefront of a quantum revolution, with QIST promising transformative capabilities for innovation, economic growth, high-paying jobs, and national security. It builds upon the 2018 National Quantum Initiative Act.
• The Administration's policy is to ensure the United States maintains a strategic technical advantage in QIST and leads the development of a robust and trusted quantum ecosystem across research, manufacturing, commercialization, and application.
• A key objective is to protect sensitive quantum technologies and collaborate with allies to prevent adversaries from leveraging QIST to undermine national security.

Updating the National Quantum Strategy

• Directive: Within 180 days of June 22, 2026, the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology (APST), in coordination with the Secretaries of War, Commerce, Energy, the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), and the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), shall update the National Quantum Strategy.
• The updated Strategy will focus on supporting the maturing QIST ecosystem, promoting commercialization and deployment, bolstering the quantum-enabling technology ecosystem, and encouraging partnerships with U.S. industry.
• Compliance Requirement: Within 30 days of the updated Strategy's publication, relevant executive departments and agencies must submit a summary of steps taken to align their processes, policies, and programs with the Strategy to the APST and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Harnessing Quantum Computing for Scientific Applications

• The order establishes the Quantum Computer for Application Development and Discovery Science (QC–ADDS) Effort, coordinated by the APST, to develop a quantum computer for scientific discovery, to be delivered to a Department of Energy facility and made available to the scientific community.
• Directive: Within 90 days of June 22, 2026, the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the APST and other relevant agencies, must identify and publicly release a summary of technical specifications for a QC-ADDS capable of transformative scientific applications.
• Directive: Within 180 days of June 22, 2026, the Secretary of Energy shall explore private-sector partnership models for QC-ADDS delivery, the Secretary of Commerce shall plan to encourage commercial contributions, and the Secretary of War shall establish programs for national security applications of quantum computing.
• Compliance Requirement: Also within 180 days, the Secretary of Energy shall establish a national center to assess quantum computing system performance, and the Co-Chairs of the ESIX Subcommittee shall recommend a mechanism for inter-agency information-sharing on commercial quantum computing capabilities.
• Compliance Requirement: Within 1 year of June 22, 2026, and annually thereafter, the DNI and Secretary of War must report on the national security implications of commercial quantum computers, including post-quantum cryptography migration.

Deploying Quantum-Enabled Sensors and Networks

• Directive: Within 60 days of June 22, 2026, the Secretary of War shall identify at least three next-generation quantum sensor projects to prioritize for fielding by September 30, 2028.
• Compliance Requirement: The Secretaries of Commerce, Energy, the Director of NSF, and the Administrator of NASA must each develop a 5-year plan for advancing quantum sensing and networking in their respective domains. These plans are due for reporting within 120 days of June 22, 2026.
• Relevant agencies are directed to prioritize research, development, testing, and evaluation of applications and hardware for quantum sensing and quantum networking.

Bolstering the Domestic Ecosystem for Quantum Supply Chains

• The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and other agencies, shall develop a plan to strengthen the QIST ecosystem by analyzing supply chains, promoting private sector adoption of QIST standards, and supporting R&D to advance quantum-enabling technologies and remove manufacturing barriers.
• Directive: Within 120 days of June 22, 2026, the Secretaries of War, Commerce, Energy, and the Director of NSF shall develop a plan to partner with the private sector (e.g., via prize challenges or advance market commitments) to develop quantum-enabling component technologies in the U.S. and identify necessary statutory or regulatory changes.
• Compliance Requirement: All relevant agencies must share information regarding quantum computing supply chains with the Departments of War, Commerce, and Energy, and with the APST and APNSA, to inform government-wide decision-making.
• Directive: Within 180 days of June 22, 2026, the Secretary of War shall increase domestic access to Department of War-sponsored QIST-relevant foundry resources, and the Director of NSF shall issue grants for establishing QIST user facilities.
• Directive: Within 210 days of June 22, 2026, the APST shall recommend a revised membership list for the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee (NQIAC) and task it to develop recommendations for stimulating quantum-enabling technologies in the U.S.

Protecting Quantum Technology

• The APST and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (APNSA) shall coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure QIST activities and policies maintain robust security controls to safeguard critical information and national security interests without hindering innovation.
• Compliance Requirement: Within 60 days of June 22, 2026, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in coordination with multiple agencies, shall propose staffing requirements to expand the Quantum Information Science and Technology Counterintelligence Protection Team (QCPT).
• The QCPT will improve and coordinate protections against adversarial threats, including cybersecurity threats, coordinate public messaging, and enhance threat information sharing with Federal, industry, and academic QIST entities. Relevant agencies must coordinate and deconflict with the QCPT on all quantum-specific security outreach.

Expanding and Retaining the Quantum Workforce

• Directive: Within 90 days of June 22, 2026, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), in consultation with the APST, OMB, and other agencies, shall develop a Government-wide QIST recruitment and retention strategy, potentially including special pay rates and increased incentives.
• Directive: Within 120 days of June 22, 2026, the Secretary of Labor shall prioritize QIST-relevant industry needs in workforce training efforts and, with the NSF Director, develop an approach to tracking labor statistics for the U.S. quantum ecosystem, including defining "QIST-relevant occupations."
• Directive: Within 180 days of June 22, 2026, the APST shall engage with industry and academia to promote post-secondary training opportunities for QIST jobs, and the Director of NSF shall initiate a network of National QIST Workforce Development Institutes.

Engaging with International Partners

• The Secretaries of State and Commerce shall align international engagements to ensure U.S. quantum companies access strategic markets and capital from like-minded countries, maintain trusted supply chains, prevent adversaries from acquiring critical technologies (e.g., through harmonized export controls), promote R&D collaboration, and coordinate technology protection efforts.
• The Secretary of Commerce, with the U.S. Trade Representative, shall identify and recommend addressing foreign trade barriers and discriminatory policies affecting American QIST competitiveness.
• Directive: Within 120 days of June 22, 2026, the Secretary of State shall provide recommendations to the APNSA