WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last week, U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced the National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network Act to create a national network of six remotely accessible programmable cloud laboratories (PCLs) for academic research, led by the National Science Foundation (NSF). By knitting together existing laboratory data processing power, this bill would help researchers use their time and financial resources more effectively through automation and integration of large data sets.

In 2024, Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA launched a major initiative to establish a programmable, automated laboratory environment on a university campus. This effort positions CMU as a pioneer in advancing remote, software-driven experimentation and is already generating encouraging early results in areas such as chemical and materials research. The legislation builds on this emerging model and supports the development of similar capabilities at a national scale.

"Pennsylvania is home to thousands of academic and industry researchers that are expanding the boundaries of human knowledge and developing the products of the future," said Senator Fetterman. "We can help cut barriers researchers face and supercharge America's innovation engine with a national network of PCLs. This has never been built before, and I'm proud to partner with Senator Budd to make this a reality."

"Integrating our nation's world class laboratories will increase the rate of breakthroughs, streamline and better automate the research process, and reduce the barriers and costs that throttle experimentation. North Carolina is at the cutting edge of innovation, and I am glad to work with Senator Fetterman to help our great institutions push the boundaries of discovery even further," said Senator Budd.

The high cost of building and maintaining laboratory infrastructure creates barriers for smaller, less endowed academic institutions and small businesses to conduct cutting-edge scientific research or develop innovative products. A national PCL network would allow fee-paying users to remotely access laboratory space to conduct experiments, instead of building and operating their own lab equipment or traveling to another institution to conduct experiments in-person.

This legislation would codify existing NSF proposals to create a network of up to six PCL nodes through competitive selection process open to academic, private sector, non-profit research institutions, or partnerships between any of the prior three types of institutions. Applicants for PCL node designation would be evaluated on:

• The level of existing laboratory infrastructure with automated capabilities and data integration;
• Capacity to support cloud-enabled workflows for multiple users;
• Ability to sustain long-term operations without continuous federal funding;
• Ability to collaborate with partners in academia, industry, or federal research entities;
• Protocols for research security, cybersecurity, and responsible access;
• Demonstration of user interest and research needs.

Following the designation of the nodes, standards for interoperability, data sharing, cybersecurity and technical requirements would be developed by NIST, NSF, and selected PCL node participants. Reports to Congress on non-designated laboratories would also be required to map out developing PCL research infrastructure, assess the capabilities of non-designated laboratories, and identify opportunities for collaboration with the selected nodes.

The bill is supported by Carnegie Mellon, SeedAI, and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.

"The bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators John Fetterman and Ted Budd meets the urgency of the moment - accelerating scientific innovation, sparking entrepreneurship and fueling economic growth in nearly every sector. It is vital to realizing the full potential of American progress for generations to come," said Farnam Jahanian, President of Carnegie Mellon University.

"The National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network Act is a green light for the future of American science. Investing in AI-enabled automation and cloud-connected laboratories will accelerate discovery timelines, bring our research infrastructure into the modern era, and ensure that federal science investments translate into tangible benefits for the American people," said Joshua New, Director of Policy at SeedAI and organizer of the Accelerate Science Now coalition.

"With the introduction of this bill, Senator Fetterman is demonstrating a true commitment to the future of innovation in Pennsylvania and American competitiveness," said Stefani Pashman, CEO of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. "By advancing automated science and establishing the National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network, this legislation ensures Pennsylvania is positioned as a leader in next-generation industries that are core to our region's growth: robotics, AI, and advanced manufacturing. These efforts will not only drive economic growth in our region but will also make everyday life better by leveraging automation to create safer, more reliable and affordable products while strengthening our supply chains and energy security."

A summary of the bill text can be found here.

The full bill text can be found here.