National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network Act of 2025
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (13 Jul 2026): Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 451.
What this bill does
S. 3468, the National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network of 2025, would direct the National Science Foundation to establish a network of up to six “programmable cloud laboratories”—physical labs equipped with automated, remotely operated research and manufacturing equipment, including robotics and artificial intelligence. The NSF Director, working with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, would designate these labs as “nodes” through a competitive application process, award each up to $5 million per year for up to five years, and oversee development of common technical standards, cybersecurity protocols, and data-sharing rules across the network. The bill also requires an assessment of laboratories not selected for the network and periodic briefings to Congress on the network’s progress and sustainability.
The program would primarily affect institutions of higher education, nonprofit research organizations, private-sector research entities, and federal science agencies that participate in or apply to join the network. It aims to improve research efficiency, reduce federal research costs, support workforce development, and help transfer government-funded research into commercial and industrial applications, including biotechnology and materials science. Funding of $30 million annually is authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, subject to appropriations, and all authorities under the Act would end on September 30, 2031.
The bill was introduced by Senator Fetterman in December 2025 and referred to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. On February 12, 2026, the committee ordered the bill reported favorably with amendments. It now awaits further action, such as a vote by the full Senate, before it could proceed to the House of Representatives.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network Act of 2025
This bill provides statutory authority for a national programmable cloud laboratories program established by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Programmable cloud laboratories allow researchers to remotely design and run experiments in an automated, artificial-intelligence-enabled laboratory.
Under the bill, NSF, in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), must designate up to six entities to operate cloud laboratories, called nodes, to comprise a national network. Eligible entities include institutions of higher education, private or nonprofit research entities, and groups thereof. In designating nodes, NSF must ensure, to the extent practicable, that at least one node can support biotechnology research. (On July 16, 2025, NSF issued a program solicitation seeking applicants to serve as nodes.)
Designated nodes must provide access to advanced scientific and manufacturing instruments and a secure digital infrastructure. Where practicable, nodes must leverage commercially available hardware and software to minimize cost and accelerate deployment of automated capabilities.
NIST, in cooperation with NSF and designated nodes, must establish and periodically update network-wide interoperability standards, data-sharing protocols, and minimum technical requirements and operating procedures.
Further, after all nodes are designated, NSF must identify other laboratories that have or are developing programmable, automated, or remotely accessible research infrastructure and assess the potential for coordination between nodes and these laboratories.
The bill provides for annual grants to each designated node for up to five years. The program and any associated funding terminate on September 30, 2031.
Timeline
13 Jul 2026
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 451.
Common questions
- What does S. 3468 do?
- S. 3468, the National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network of 2025, would direct the National Science Foundation to establish a network of up to six “programmable cloud laboratories”—physical labs equipped with automated, remotely operated research and manufacturing equipment, including robotics and artificial intelligence. The NSF Director, working with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, would designate these labs as “nodes” through a competitive application process, award each up to $5 million per year for up to five years, and oversee development of common technical standards, cybersecurity protocols, and data-sharing rules across the network. The bill also requires an assessment of laboratories not selected for the network and periodic briefings to Congress on the network’s progress and sustainability. The program would primarily affect institutions of higher education, nonprofit research organizations, private-sector research entities, and federal science agencies that participate in or apply to join the network. It aims to improve research efficiency, reduce federal research costs, support workforce development, and help transfer government-funded research into commercial and industrial applications, including biotechnology and materials science. Funding of $30 million annually is authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, subject to appropriations, and all authorities under the Act would end on September 30, 2031. The bill was introduced by Senator Fetterman in December 2025 and referred to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. On February 12, 2026, the committee ordered the bill reported favorably with amendments. It now awaits further action, such as a vote by the full Senate, before it could proceed to the House of Representatives.
- Has S. 3468 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 3468. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 3468?
- S. 3468 was sponsored by Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA] (D-PA), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 3468?
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 451. (13 Jul 2026).
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