NSF X-Labs Initiative
NSF X-Labs Initiative funds interdisciplinary teams to pursue groundbreaking research and develop transformative platform technologies in key science and technology fields.
Funder: NSF X-Labs
Due Dates: May 14, 2028
Funding Amounts: Up to $1.5 billion overall; large, multi-year awards anticipated for selected teams; phased funding from concept to full-scale implementation.
Summary: Supports full-time, interdisciplinary teams to develop transformative platform technologies and accelerate U.S. science and technology leadership.
Key Information: Solicitation operates via Other Transaction Agreement, not traditional grants; see topic announcements for specific requirements.
Description
The NSF X-Labs Initiative is a bold, outcomes-driven program from the National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP). It aims to catalyze the development of breakthrough platform technologies by supporting full-time, interdisciplinary research and development teams. The initiative targets technical challenges and bottlenecks that cannot be easily solved through traditional university or industry lab approaches, offering substantial resources and operational autonomy to teams capable of pursuing ambitious, high-impact missions. NSF X-Labs operates through the Other Transaction Agreement Solutions Offering (OTASO), providing a flexible and milestone-driven funding framework designed to accelerate use-inspired scientific breakthroughs and position the U.S. as a global leader in science and technology.
