Bill > S3468

This bill, the National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network Act of 2025, establishes a network of up to six "nodes," which are essentially advanced, remotely controllable laboratories equipped with research tools like robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). The goal is to boost U.S. leadership in scientific research and advanced manufacturing, make federally funded research more efficient and reproducible by reducing costs, and speed up the transfer of research to the private sector. The bill defines key terms such as "artificial intelligence" (referencing existing law), "institution of higher education," and "programmable cloud laboratory" as a physical lab with advanced capabilities that can be programmed and controlled remotely. The Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) will oversee the selection of these nodes from eligible entities like universities, non-profits, and private companies, with a focus on applications that demonstrate cost-sharing and existing infrastructure. These nodes will be expected to collaborate, adopt common standards, and develop plans for long-term financial sustainability beyond federal funding. The bill also mandates interagency collaboration to develop standards for interoperability and data sharing, an assessment of other non-designated laboratories to identify potential collaborators, and annual reporting to Congress on the network's progress and sustainability. The entire network and its associated funding are set to expire on September 30, 2031.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3468/all-info