NSF X-Labs Initiative - Quantum Systems: Interconnects and Integrated Photonics

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation announces the National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) intent to establish and solicit proposals for the NSF X-Labs initiative. The initiative aims to build and accelerate novel platform technologies capable of unlocking new sectors and fields of scientific inquiry. It will support R&D teams focused on use-inspired scientific breakthroughs and foundational platform technologies that traditional university and industry labs cannot easily address.

• Proposing teams must specify their Mission, defined as the novel platform technology and key use-inspired research solutions.

• Missions must align with a current Topic Announcement released by NSF.

• Teams must demonstrate a clear vision of how their Mission will create or reshape an entire field of scientific research or technology sector.

• Expected outcomes include developing foundational platform technologies, solving specific technological challenges, and creating early-stage prototypes.

• The solicitation contemplates the issuance of one or more Other Transaction (OT) contracts.

• Awards are anticipated to be milestone-based.

• Phase 0 awards are anticipated to be no more than $1,500,000.

• Phase 1 awards are anticipated to be no more than $50,000,000 per year, with potential renewal for Phase 2.

• Phase 0 duration: approximately 9-12 months.

• Phase 1 duration: approximately 24-36 months.

• Place of performance: within the United States.

• A two-step competitive evaluation process: Written Proposals followed by an Oral Proposal Package and presentation (invitation only).

• Written Proposals are due first and must not exceed 8 single-sided pages.

• Evaluation criteria include "Team Qualifications and Structure" and "Mission Clarity and Outcomes."

• Key deadlines are not explicitly stated but are tied to the Phase 0 and Phase 1 timelines.

• Any domestic responsible entity may submit proposals for a Phase 0 award.

• Lead organizations must be registered in SAM.

• Restrictions apply to "U.S. proscribed parties" and "foreign entities of concern" as defined by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.

• NSF X-Labs teams are expected to operate with substantial independence in decision making, staffing, funding, partnerships, and day-to-day operations.

• Specific Topic areas will be released via Topic Announcements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitiative-AttachmentA.pdf", provides detailed instructions and a template for submitting a written proposal to the NSF X-Labs Initiative. It outlines the required content and formatting for proposals.

• Proposal Length: Maximum of 8 single-sided pages (excluding COI statement).
• Formatting: Single-spaced, 12-point font, 8½" x 11" paper, 1" margins. Tables/graphs may use smaller font.
• Submission: Must be submitted as a PDF document. COI statements must be a separate PDF.
• Content Sections:
  1. Mission: Describe novel platform technologies and the vision for advancing a scientific field or technology sector.
  2. Technology Landscape: Analyze the current landscape and justify how the proposed technology will accelerate new research and capabilities.
  3. Outcomes: Detail high-impact, measurable outcomes over a 5-7 year timescale, including scientific and technical benchmarks.
  4. Senior/Key Personnel Qualifications: Describe the qualifications of key personnel.
  5. Team Capabilities Statement: Explain how the team's complementary expertise, experience, adaptability, and collaborative approach will execute the Mission. Include governance structure and resources.

This attachment is critical for potential bidders as it dictates the structure, content, and submission requirements for their proposals. Failure to adhere to these specifications may result in disqualification.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This announcement solicits Written Proposals for NSF X-Labs teams focused on the technical domain of quantum interconnects and integrated quantum photonics. The NSF X-Labs initiative aims to build and accelerate novel platform technologies for new scientific fields and technology sectors where U.S. competitiveness is a priority. This specific topic focuses on developing technologies to enable next-generation quantum interconnects, integrated quantum photonics, and supporting technologies.

• Develop foundational platform solutions for the integration of second-generation quantum systems.

• Target specific platform technologies that can form the basis for broad industry adoption and integrated, system-level capabilities.

• Missions must be transformative, accelerating breakthrough R&D in quantum technologies, overcoming technical barriers, and demonstrating measurable impact.

• Examples of relevant R&D challenges include scalable modular architectures, interconnection of heterogeneous quantum sub-systems, reconfigurable quantum photonic circuits, next-generation quantum light sources, low-loss waveguides, and integrated single-photon detectors.

• Challenges not in scope include purely computational/software solutions without practical integration, solutions unsuitable for scaling, narrow impact technologies, fundamental research without application potential, incremental advancements, or technologies already near full-scale commercialization.

• Other Transaction (OT) contracts will be issued under NSF's statutory authority.

• Refer to NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitative for details on period and place of performance, instrument and approach, eligibility, performance objectives, programmatic phase structure, milestones, and milestone-based payments.

• A two-step competitive evaluation process.

• Written Proposals are due by July 24, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Eastern.

• Oral Presentations are scheduled from August 31 to September 4, 2026.

• Phase 0 begins December 2026.

• Phase 1 Go/No Go selection is expected July 2027.

• Phase 1 begins September 2027.

• Proposers must comply with the content and format described in Section 10 of NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitative or its latest amendment.

• Questions are due by July 17, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Eastern, and must be emailed to XLabs@nsf.gov with the subject line: NSF-Topic1-FY26-XLabsQuantumSystems.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically via the NSF submission website.

• An eligible organization can submit a maximum of two Written Proposals per Topic Announcement for Phase 0 as a lead organization.

• Senior/Key Personnel may be listed on a maximum of one Written Proposal per Topic Announcement.

• Webinars are scheduled for June 4, 2026 (Introduction) and June 30, 2026 (Q&A).

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation announces the National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) intent to establish and solicit proposals for the NSF X-Labs initiative. The initiative aims to build and accelerate novel platform technologies capable of unlocking new sectors and fields of scientific inquiry. It will support full-time research and development (R&D) teams focused on use-inspired scientific breakthroughs and foundational platform technologies that traditional university and industry labs cannot easily address.

• Proposing teams must specify their Mission, defined as the novel platform technology and key use-inspired research solutions.

• Missions must align with a current Topic area released by NSF.

• Teams must demonstrate a clear vision of how their Mission will reshape a field of scientific research or technology sector.

• Expected outcomes include developing foundational platform technologies, solving specific technological challenges, and creating early-stage prototypes.

• Teams must demonstrate autonomy and independence in decision-making, funding allocation, research direction, IP ownership, hiring, and contracting.

• The solicitation contemplates Other Transaction (OT) contracts, not FAR-based procurement contracts.

• Awards are anticipated to be milestone-based.

• Funding is anticipated in phases: Phase 0 (approx. 9-12 months) with a maximum of $1,500,000, and Phase 1 (approx. 24-36 months) with a maximum of $50,000,000 per year, with potential renewal for Phase 2.

• A two-step competitive evaluation process: Written Proposals followed by an invitation for an Oral Proposal Package and oral presentation.

• Written Proposals are due and will be evaluated based on "Team Qualifications and Structure" and "Mission Clarity and Outcomes."

• Key proposal content includes Mission, Technology Landscape, Outcomes, Senior/Key Personnel Qualifications, Team Capabilities Statement, and Conflicts of Interest.

• Oral Proposal Packages will be evaluated on the same criteria as Written Proposals.

• Any domestic responsible entity may submit proposals for consideration for a Phase 0 award.

• Lead organizations must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Certain entities and individuals are ineligible due to research security requirements (e.g., U.S. proscribed parties, "foreign entities of concern," parties to a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program).

• The initiative focuses on building new organizational research structures to tackle large-scale scientific advancements.

• Senior/Key Personnel must be dedicated full-time to the team by the beginning of Phase 1, unless otherwise approved.

• Research security requirements are in place, including prohibitions on certain entities and individuals.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitative-AttachmentA.pdf," provides detailed instructions and requirements for preparing a written proposal for the NSF X-Labs Initiative. It serves as a guide for potential bidders on how to structure and format their submissions.

• Proposal Format: Proposals must be direct, concise, and limited to 8 single-sided pages (excluding the Conflicts of Interest statement). They should be typed, single-spaced, using a 12-point font, on 8½" by 11" paper with 1" margins. Submissions must be in PDF format without a cover letter. COI statements are separate PDFs with no page limit.
• Content Sections: Proposals must address the following five sections:
  1. Mission: Describe novel platform technologies and the proposed NSF X-Lab's vision to reshape a scientific field or technology sector.
  2. Technology Landscape: Analyze the current landscape, justifying how the proposed technology will accelerate research and unlock new capabilities.
  3. Outcomes: Detail high-impact, measurable outcomes over a 5- to 7-year timescale, including scientific and technical performance benchmarks.
  4. Senior/Key Personnel Qualifications: Describe the qualifications of key personnel, including technical expertise, commercialization experience, and past efforts.
  5. Team Capabilities Statement: Explain how the leadership team's complementary expertise (strategic leadership, technical, entrepreneurship) demonstrates the experience, adaptability, and collaborative approach needed. Include governance structure, autonomy, networks, partnerships, and capital resources.

This attachment is critical for bidders as it outlines the specific content, formatting, and submission requirements for their proposals. Adhering to these guidelines is essential for a proposal to be considered.