NSF X-Labs Updates: New Topics and Program Guidance
- Shape future NSF X-Labs topics: Submit input to NSF by Oct. 30
- Funding opportunity – Super Intelligence for Physical Systems: Questions due Nov. 16; proposals due Jan. 7, 2027
- Funding opportunity – From Sequence to Function: NSF webinar Nov. 18; proposals due Feb. 8, 2027
- Proposed research topic – Computing’s physical limits: Preview a research topic NSF is considering
- NSF program guidance – NSF X-Labs: Learn about eligibility, funding, and team expectations
The $1.5 billion NSF X-Labs initiative has expanded its 2026 portfolio with two recently announced active research opportunities and a proposed future topic. Led by the U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (NSF TIP), the X-Labs initiative funds large, multidisciplinary teams pursuing ambitious platform technologies on specific research topics. The program model emphasizes operational autonomy, milestone-based funding, and long-term scientific impact.
Research Topics Open for Applications
- From Sequence to Function. NSF seeks platform technologies to close the gap between predicting protein structure and understanding protein dynamics. The longer-term direction is biological engineering in which individual proteins, or potentially entire genomes, can be designed with predictable, controllable functions. The topic may be relevant to organizations working across biology, computation, engineering, research infrastructure, and enabling technologies. Written proposals are due Feb. 8, 2027, at 5 p.m. EST. Review the NSF X-Labs: From Sequence to Function topic announcement and application materials, and register for the X-Labs: From Sequence to Function Webinar to be held on Nov. 18, 2026, from 2-3 p.m.
- Super Intelligence for Physical Systems. This X-Lab topic seeks early-stage platform technologies that enable intelligent, adaptive, and scalable systems to perceive, act, and learn in complex physical environments. NSF identifies advanced sensing, robotics, embodied systems, human-robot interfaces, and cyber-physical systems as relevant areas. Following a recent executive-branch directive, NSF is using the term “Super Intelligence” for new and forward-looking materials. Previous NSF and SAM.gov materials may still use “Artificial Intelligence for Physical Systems” or “AI for Physical Systems.” Those materials refer to the same opportunity. Topic-specific questions are due Nov. 16, 2026, and written proposals are due Jan. 7, 2027. Review the Super Intelligence for Physical Systems topic announcement and application materials.
Before You Apply
To submit an X-Labs proposal, the lead organization must be a domestic entity registered on SAM.gov and have a Unique Entity Identifier. Written proposals must be submitted through the NSF X-Labs application portal by a person authorized to enter into an agreement. Before applying, organizations should assess whether their teams can meet the model’s expectations for autonomy, including timely decision-making on research direction, partnerships, hiring, spending, procurement, and governance.
Help Shape Future Research Topics
NSF has also opened a Request for Information (RFI): Identifying the Next Generation of NSF X-Labs Topics portal for the U.S. research community. The agency seeks information on “high-impact platform technology opportunities, critical technical bottlenecks, enabling infrastructure, potential partnerships, and conditions under which dedicated X-Labs teams could accelerate scientific and technological breakthroughs.” Responses are due Oct. 30 and can be submitted through NSF’s RFI response form. The RFI is for planning and information gathering only; it is not funding opportunity or request for proposal.
A New Proposed Topic
Computation at the Limit of Physics is a proposed X-Labs topic, rather than an open solicitation. NSF is considering a research focus on the fundamental efficiency and capability limits of computing. The topic would seek technologies and paradigms that could dramatically narrow the gap between the energy efficiency of conventional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) computing and the inherent limits of physics. This topic may be relevant to researchers and companies working in computing hardware, materials, device physics, systems design, energy efficiency, and advanced manufacturing. Information on the proposed topic is found in this NSF announcement of additional X-Labs topics.
How the X-Labs Model Works
NSF X-Labs uses milestone-based Other Transaction (OT) agreements rather than conventional NSF grants to fund research on selected topics. Previous calls for proposals have included Scientific Instrumentation for Sensing and Imaging and Quantum Systems: Interconnects and Integrated Photonics. The model is designed for independent teams pursuing ambitious platform technologies that may require substantial resources and operational flexibility. Proposals should go beyond incremental technical advances. NSF is seeking focused research proposals with the potential to create or reshape scientific research fields.
Selected teams begin with a Phase 0 period of about nine months to refine their mission, milestones, budget, governance, and operating structure. NSF anticipates:
- Phase 0 awards of $500,000 to $1.5 million.
- Phase 1 awards. Teams that meet Phase 1 Go/No-Go requirements may advance to a 24- to 36-month Phase 1, with anticipated annual support of $10 million to $50 million per team, subject to performance and available funding. NSF anticipates comparable annual support for Phase 2.
We Want to Hear From You
Has your organization engaged with the NSF X-Labs initiative? What topics do you think need to be included? Share your experience on LinkedIn.
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