to be appropriated for the National Institute of Standards and Technology pursuant to section 10211 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act ( Public Law 117–167 ) for scientific and technical research and services laboratory activities, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to carry out this section up to $85,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2027. . 12. National Institute of Standards and Technology quantum centers Title II of the National Quantum Initiative Act is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 202. National Institute of Standards and Technology quantum centers (a) Establishment (1) In general Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, in consultation with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, shall establish and operate at least one, but not more than three, centers to accelerate research, development, deployment, and standardization of quantum information science, engineering, and technology. (2) Program details (A) Competitive, merit-reviewed process The centers shall be established through a competitive, merit-reviewed process. (B) Applications An eligible applicant described in subparagraph (C) shall submit to the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director determines to be appropriate. (C) Eligible applicants Eligible applicants described in this subparagraph are the following: (i) Institutions of higher education. (ii) Nonprofit organizations. (iii) Multi-institutions collaborations. (iv) Any other entity the Director determines appropriate. (3) Selection of topics The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall solicit proposals in and prioritize the following topics in initial selection of centers, subject to merit-review: (A) Quantum