SAM #NSF-Topic2-FY26-XLabsSensingandImaging

NSF X-Labs Initiative Solicitation for Advanced Sensing and Imaging Platform Technologies

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation & Partnerships is soliciting proposals for the X-Labs Initiative, targeting transformative scientific instrumentation in sensing and imaging. - Government Buyer: - U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) - Directorate for Technology, Innovation & Partnerships (TIP) - Contracting office located at 401 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific OEMs or vendors are named in the solicitation - Products/Services Requested: - Ambitious, full-time R&D teams to develop novel platform technologies in sensing, imaging, and supporting fields - Focus areas include quantum sensing, AI-driven computational imaging, adaptive AI-based sensing algorithms, and new sensing modalities - No specific products, part numbers, or purchase quantities are listed - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Teams must demonstrate operational autonomy, technical expertise, and organizational flexibility - Milestone-based funding structure with Phase 0 (9-12 months, up to $1.5M) and Phase 1 (24-36 months, up to $50M/year), with potential for Phase 2 renewal - Research security and independence requirements - Initiative aims to support foundational platform technologies beyond the scope of traditional university and industry labs

Description

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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