NSF X-Labs Initiative - Scientific Instrumentation For Sensing and Imaging

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 through use-inspired scientific breakthroughs and foundational platform technologies, fostering new fields of scientific inquiry and unlocking new economic sectors. It responds to the need for the U.S. to maintain global leadership in science and technology by enabling R&D activities difficult to pursue through traditional grants.

• Missions: Proposing teams must define a novel platform technology and key use-inspired research solutions. Missions must align with specific Topic Announcements released by NSF and aim to create or reshape entire scientific fields or technology sectors.

• Phase 0: A preparation phase (9-12 months) to develop concepts, refine milestones, and prepare for Phase 1. Teams will produce specific milestone deliverables.

• Phase 1: (24-36 months, potentially renewable) Teams execute their Mission, scale and recruit full-time members, and work towards defined milestones.

• Phase 2: (Variable duration) For high-performing teams to refine technology solutions or spin off initiatives.

• Autonomy: Teams must demonstrate substantial independence in decision-making, staffing, funding, partnerships, and day-to-day operations. This includes full internal control of funding allocation, research direction, IP ownership, hiring, and salary negotiation.

• Senior/Key Personnel: Must be dedicated full-time to the team by Phase 1, unless approved otherwise. May be listed on only one proposal per Topic Announcement.

• Research Security: Compliance with CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 requirements regarding "persons or entities of concern" and "malign foreign talent programs" is mandatory.

• Instrument: Other Transaction (OT) contracts, not FAR-based procurement contracts.

• Funding: Phase 0 awards up to $1,500,000. Phase 1 awards up to $50,000,000 per year.

• Milestone-based Payments: Invoices paid upon successful completion of documented milestones.

• Two-step process: Written Proposals followed by an invitation for Oral Proposal Packages and oral presentations for a select number of teams.

• Written Proposals: Due first, evaluated on "Team Qualifications and Structure" and "Mission Clarity and Outcomes."

• Oral Proposal Package: Includes presentation slides, Phase 0 Milestone Plan, Senior/Key Personnel Disclosures, Phase 0 Budget, and Letters of Collaboration.

• Evaluation Criteria: "Team Qualifications and Structure" and "Mission Clarity and Outcomes" will be weighed equally.

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

• Lead organizations must be registered in SAM.gov.

• U.S. proscribed parties and "foreign entities of concern" are ineligible.

• The solicitation was developed using input from public responses to NSF's Request for Information on the Tech Labs Initiative.

• NSF will not dictate the composition of X-Labs teams, but will sign an OT contract with one lead organization.

• Teams must update Senior/Key Personnel information from their Phase 0 proposal for Phase 1.

• Proposals must adhere to strict page limits and formatting requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitiative-AttachmentA.pdf," provides detailed instructions and requirements for preparing a written proposal for the NSF X-Labs Initiative. It outlines the specific sections and content that proposing teams must include in their submission.

• Formatting Requirements: Proposals must be direct, concise, and not exceed 8 single-sided pages (excluding COI statement). They must be typed, single-spaced, 12-point font, 8½" x 11" paper with 1" margins. Proposals must be submitted as a PDF, without a cover letter. COI statements are separate PDFs with no page limit.
• Proposal Sections:
  1. Mission: Describe novel platform technologies and the team's vision for reshaping a field of scientific inquiry or technology sector.
  2. Technology Landscape: Analyze the current landscape, justify how the proposed technology advances it, and compare state-of-the-art.
  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 senior/key personnel, including technical expertise, commercialization experience, and past efforts.
  5. Team Capabilities Statement: Explain how the team's complementary expertise, experience, adaptability, and collaborative approach are necessary to execute the Mission. Include governance structure, autonomy, networks, partnerships, and capital resources.

This attachment is critical for potential bidders as it dictates the structure, content, length, and submission format for their proposals. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in the proposal being removed from consideration. Bidders must carefully follow these instructions when preparing and submitting their proposals for the NSF X-Labs Initiative.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document announces the National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP)'s intent to solicit Written Proposals for NSF X-Labs teams focused on scientific instrumentation for sensing and imaging. This initiative aims to build and accelerate novel platform technologies that can unlock new scientific fields and technology sectors.

• The program supports full-time research and development (R&D) teams focused on use-inspired scientific breakthroughs and foundational platform technologies.

• Proposing teams must specify a "Mission" defined as a novel platform technology and key use-inspired research solutions.

• Missions must align with the "Scientific Instrumentation for Sensing and Imaging" topic.

• Focus areas include, but are not limited to, advanced sensing and imaging technologies, quantum sensing, AI-driven computational imaging, and adaptive AI-based sensing algorithms.

• Examples of relevant R&D challenges include detection of molecular-scale events, MRI-free deep-tissue imaging, non-destructive biomolecule microscopy, high-sensitivity quantum sensors, AI training pipeline instruments, and whole-brain activity sensors.

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

• NSF anticipates issuing one or more Other Transaction (OT) contracts.

• Further details on period of performance, instrument and approach, eligibility, performance objectives, programmatic phase structure, milestones, and milestone-based payments are available in NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitative or its latest amendment.

• This is a two-step competitive evaluation process.

• Step 1: Written Proposals submission.

• Step 2: A smaller number of teams will be invited to submit an Oral Proposal Package and deliver an oral presentation.

• Written Proposal Submission Deadline: July 13, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Eastern.

• Oral Presentations: August 17 to August 21, 2026.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically via the NSF submission website: https://nsfgov.my.site.com/xlabs.

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

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

• Questions concerning this announcement must be submitted via email to XLabs@nsf.gov by July 6, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Eastern. The subject line must include: NSF-Topic2-FY26-XLabsSensingandImaging.

• Two webinars are scheduled: May 28, 2026 (Introduction) and June 23, 2026 (Q&A).

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) is soliciting proposals for the NSF X-Labs initiative. This 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.

• Missions: 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.

• Outcomes: Teams are expected to deliver high-impact, measurable outcomes that advance nascent platform technologies, overcome critical bottlenecks, and reshape entire fields of scientific research or technology sectors.

• Autonomy: Teams must demonstrate substantial independence in decision making, staffing, funding, partnerships, and day-to-day operations. This includes full internal control of funding allocation, research directions, IP ownership, hiring, and salary negotiation.

• Deliverables: Phase 0 involves developing concepts, refining milestones and budgets for Phase 1, and producing specific milestone deliverables including a Kickoff Meeting, Data Management and Privacy Plan, IP Management Plan, Research Security Management Plan, Governance Structure Plan, and a proposed Phase 1 Milestone Plan and Budget.

• Instrument: Other Transaction (OT) contracts, not FAR-based procurement contracts or financial assistance instruments.

• Phased Approach: Awards will be milestone-based, with a phased structure: Phase 0 (9-12 months), Phase 1 (24-36 months), and potential renewal for Phase 2.

• Funding: Phase 0 awards up to $1,500,000; Phase 1 awards up to $50,000,000 per year.

• Process: A two-step competitive evaluation: Written Proposals followed by an invitation for an Oral Proposal Package and oral presentation for a select number of teams.

• Written Proposals: Due first, addressing Mission, Technology Landscape, Outcomes, Senior/Key Personnel Qualifications, and Team Capabilities Statement. Format requirements include a 8-page limit (excluding COI statement).

• Oral Proposal Package: Submitted by invited teams, including presentation slides, Phase 0 Milestone Plan, Senior/Key Personnel Disclosures, Phase 0 Budget, and Letters of Collaboration.

• Evaluation Criteria: "Team Qualifications and Structure" and "Mission Clarity and Outcomes" will be weighed equally.

• Eligibility: Any domestic responsible entity may submit proposals for Phase 0. Lead organizations must be registered in SAM.gov.

• Restrictions: Certain U.S. proscribed parties, "foreign entities of concern," and individuals involved in Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs are ineligible.

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

• NSF X-Labs are expected to achieve significant R&D outcomes beyond papers and datasets, focusing on foundational platform technologies and accelerating innovation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides detailed instructions and requirements for submitting a written proposal for the NSF X-Labs Initiative (FY26). It outlines the expected content and formatting for proposals.

• Proposal Format: Must be direct, concise, and not exceed 8 single-sided pages (excluding COI statement). Typed, single-spaced, 12-point font, 8.5"x11" paper with 1" margins. Tables/graphs may use smaller font. Submitted as a PDF. COI statement submitted as a separate PDF.
• Content Sections:
  1. Mission: Describe novel platform technologies and the proposed NSF X-Lab's unique suitability, including a vision statement for reshaping a field or sector.
  2. Technology Landscape: Analyze the current technology landscape, justify how the proposed technology accelerates research, and compare state-of-the-art.
  3. Outcomes: Describe ambitious target outcomes over a 5-7 year timescale, including scientific and technical performance benchmarks.
  4. Senior/Key Personnel Qualifications: Describe qualifications of Senior/Key Personnel, including technical expertise, commercialization experience, and past efforts.
  5. Team Capabilities Statement: Describe how Senior/Key Personnel bring complementary expertise, demonstrate adaptability and collaboration, and outline the intended governance structure and autonomy for Phase 0 and Phase 1. Include an overview of networks, partnerships, and capital resources.

This attachment is critical for bidders as it dictates the structure, content, and formatting requirements for their proposals. Failure to adhere to these specifications may result in the proposal being removed from consideration. It guides bidders on what information the National Science Foundation (NSF) is looking for to evaluate their proposed X-Lab initiative.