WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan pair of senators is pushing to remake how scientific research is conducted in the United States, unveiling legislation that would create a national network of remotely accessible, programmable cloud laboratories designed to speed discovery, cut costs, and widen access to cutting-edge experimentation.
U.S. Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Ted Budd of North Carolina introduced the National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network Act last week, proposing a federally coordinated system of up to six cloud-enabled laboratory hubs led by the National Science Foundation. The network would allow researchers to run experiments remotely using automated, software-driven laboratory infrastructure, rather than relying solely on traditional, brick-and-mortar labs.
Supporters say the effort could fundamentally change academic and industrial research by knitting together existing laboratory capabilities, automating experiments, and integrating massive data sets in real time.
“This has never been built before,” Fetterman said, describing the proposal as a way to remove barriers that slow innovation and limit who can participate in high-level research. He said a national network of programmable cloud laboratories would help “supercharge America’s innovation engine.”
The bill draws in part on work already underway in Pennsylvania. In 2024, Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh launched a major initiative to create a programmable, automated laboratory environment on campus, enabling remote and software-driven experimentation. Early results have shown promise in chemical and materials research, positioning the university as a national pioneer in the field.
Budd said integrating the nation’s world-class laboratories through cloud-based systems would accelerate breakthroughs while reducing the time and expense associated with traditional experimentation. He said the approach could be especially valuable for smaller institutions and startups that lack the resources to build and maintain advanced laboratory facilities.
Under the legislation, the NSF would oversee a competitive process to designate up to six programmable cloud laboratory nodes. Eligible applicants would include academic institutions, private-sector companies, nonprofit research organizations, or partnerships among them. Selection criteria would focus on existing automated lab infrastructure, capacity to support multiple remote users, long-term sustainability without ongoing federal support, collaboration potential, cybersecurity and research security protocols, and demonstrated user demand.
Once designated, the nodes would work with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the NSF to establish standards for interoperability, data sharing, cybersecurity, and technical requirements. The bill also calls for reports to Congress assessing the capabilities of non-designated laboratories and identifying opportunities to expand collaboration across the broader research ecosystem.
Backers argue the network would lower costs and expand access by allowing fee-paying users to run experiments remotely, eliminating the need to build duplicative infrastructure or travel to distant facilities.
The proposal has drawn support from academic, policy, and economic development leaders, including Carnegie Mellon University, SeedAI, and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. Carnegie Mellon President Farnam Jahanian said the legislation responds to the urgency of accelerating innovation and fueling economic growth across multiple sectors.
Advocates also frame the bill as a competitiveness measure, positioning the United States to lead in AI-enabled science, robotics, advanced manufacturing, and next-generation research infrastructure.
If enacted, the National Programmable Cloud Laboratories Network Act would mark a significant shift in how federally supported research is conducted, moving American science further into the cloud and closer to a fully automated, data-driven future.
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