Cloud LAB Act of 2026

H.R. 7801 would direct the National Science Foundation to create and operate a cloud laboratory network program. This program would likely provide researchers and scientists with access to cloud-based computing resources and laboratory facilities, potentially making advanced research tools more accessible to institutions across the country.

If enacted, this bill could benefit the scientific research community by expanding access to expensive computational and laboratory infrastructure that might otherwise be unavailable to smaller institutions or researchers with limited resources. The program would be managed by the NSF, a federal agency that already supports scientific research and education. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process, having been introduced in March 2026 and referred to committee for consideration.