NSF X-Labs Initiative - Scientific Instrumentation For Sensing and Imaging
Closed Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- NSF-Topic2-FY26-XLabsSensingandImaging
- Agency
-
National Science Foundation
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- PSC
- AJ12 General Science And Technology R&D Services; General Science And Technology; Applied Research
- Place of performance
- Alexandria, Virginia, United States
- Points of contact
-
- X-Labs xlabs@nsf.gov
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Science Foundation's Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships seeks written proposals from full-time R&D teams to develop novel platform technologies in scientific instrumentation for sensing and imaging, with proposals due July 13, 2026, and questions due July 6. This procurement is issued under an Other Transactions Agreement and anticipates awarding one or more OT contracts; no competitive set-aside applies.
Place of performance is within the United States. Eligible proposers are any domestic responsible entity registered in SAM.gov. Each organization may submit a maximum of two written proposals as lead, and senior/key personnel may appear on only one proposal per topic.
Teams must demonstrate substantial operational independence across decision-making, staffing, funding, partnerships, and operations. Senior/Key Personnel must be full-time dedicated by Phase 1 and may not include citizens of North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran; all participants must comply with research security requirements under the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, prohibiting participation by U.S. proscribed parties and foreign entities of concern. NSF seeks transformative solutions addressing currently unmet challenges such as detection of molecular-scale single-reaction events, MRI-free deep-tissue imaging, non-destructive high-resolution biomolecule microscopy, quantum sensors for varied environments, and whole-brain activity sensors at cellular resolution. Out-of-scope work includes standalone computational solutions, narrow-impact technologies, fundamental research without platform application, and incremental advancement.
Phase 0 awards do not exceed $1.5 million over 9–12 months; Phase 1 awards do not exceed $50 million per year over 24–36 months with potential renewal for Phase 2. The solicitation employs a two-step evaluation: written proposals (8 pages maximum) are evaluated on Team Qualifications and Structure and Mission Clarity and Outcomes; selected teams present oral proposal packages August 17–21. Phase 0 begins November 2026 with Go/No Go selection in June 2027; Phase 1 begins August 2027. The solicitation was amended June 23, 2026, updating Section 6.1.1; no other changes were made.
Notice text
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
NSF amended this solicitation on June 23, 2026. Section 6.1.1 has been updated. No other changes were made.
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The National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) announces its intent to solicit Written Proposals for NSF X-Labs teams in the technical domain of scientific instrumentation for sensing and imaging. This NSF X-Labs announcement is issued under the Other Transactions Agreement Solutions Offering (OTASO), NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitative.
NSF X-Labs is a flexible, outcomes-driven initiative designed to build and accelerate novel platform technologies capable of unlocking new sectors, advancing use-inspired scientific breakthroughs, and supporting U.S. leadership in science and technology. Through this effort, NSF seeks ambitious, full-time R&D teams with the operational autonomy, technical expertise, and organizational flexibility necessary to pursue foundational platform technologies that traditional university and industry labs may not be positioned to address alone.
This Topic Announcement focuses on target specific platform technologies in sensing, imaging and supporting technologies that will form the basis for revolutionary new capabilities in scientific discovery and technology sectors. Teams might, for example, draw on quantum sensing, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven computational imaging, adaptive AI-based sensing algorithms, and/or entirely new modalities to redefine what we consider knowable.
NSF X-Labs teams selected under this Topic should have a clear vision of how their Mission will result in an end-state that creates or reshapes an entire field of scientific research or sector of technology, and how their Mission is currently unmet by existing organizational structures and funding mechanisms.
NSF anticipates issuing one or more Other Transaction (OT) contract awards.
Proposers should review the OTASO, NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitative, and this Topic Announcement carefully before submitting a Written Proposal. NSF will evaluate submissions in accordance with the procedures and criteria set forth in the OTASO and this Topic Announcement.
This posting shall not be construed as an obligation on the part of the Government. The Government is not obligated to make any award as a result of this notice. The Government will not pay for any information submitted or for any costs incurred in responding to this notice.
Any information received becomes the property of the Government and will not be returned to the submitter. Responses may also be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or as otherwise required by law.
Update #1 ·
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) announces its intent to solicit Written Proposals for NSF X-Labs teams in the technical domain of scientific instrumentation for sensing and imaging. This NSF X-Labs announcement is issued under the Other Transactions Agreement Solutions Offering (OTASO), NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitative.
NSF X-Labs is a flexible, outcomes-driven initiative designed to build and accelerate novel platform technologies capable of unlocking new sectors, advancing use-inspired scientific breakthroughs, and supporting U.S. leadership in science and technology. Through this effort, NSF seeks ambitious, full-time R&D teams with the operational autonomy, technical expertise, and organizational flexibility necessary to pursue foundational platform technologies that traditional university and industry labs may not be positioned to address alone.
This Topic Announcement focuses on target specific platform technologies in sensing, imaging and supporting technologies that will form the basis for revolutionary new capabilities in scientific discovery and technology sectors. Teams might, for example, draw on quantum sensing, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven computational imaging, adaptive AI-based sensing algorithms, and/or entirely new modalities to redefine what we consider knowable.
NSF X-Labs teams selected under this Topic should have a clear vision of how their Mission will result in an end-state that creates or reshapes an entire field of scientific research or sector of technology, and how their Mission is currently unmet by existing organizational structures and funding mechanisms.
NSF anticipates issuing one or more Other Transaction (OT) contract awards.
Proposers should review the OTASO, NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitative, and this Topic Announcement carefully before submitting a Written Proposal. NSF will evaluate submissions in accordance with the procedures and criteria set forth in the OTASO and this Topic Announcement.
This posting shall not be construed as an obligation on the part of the Government. The Government is not obligated to make any award as a result of this notice. The Government will not pay for any information submitted or for any costs incurred in responding to this notice.
Any information received becomes the property of the Government and will not be returned to the submitter. Responses may also be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or as otherwise required by law.
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