Notice

Request for Information (RFI): Identifying the Next Generation of NSF X-Labs Topics

Notice type	Special Notice: An announcement, such as an industry day or a request for information.
Who's buying	Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (tip), National Science Foundation
Where	Alexandria, Virginia
Deadline	Fri, Oct 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT (7 days left)
Who can bid	Open to any business (no set-aside)
Industry	NAICS 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology))
Solicitation #	NSF-XLABS-RFI-SEP2026
Posted	Wed, Sep 16, 2026
Contact	X-Labs, [email protected]

Open the official posting

From the notice

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to obtain public input on scientific and technological opportunities that could become future topics for the NSF X-Labs Initiative. NSF seeks information on high impact platform technology opportunities, critical technical bottlenecks, enabling infrastructure, potential partnerships, and conditions under which dedicated X-Labs teams could accelerate scientific and technological breakthroughs. This RFI is for planning and information gathering purposes only. It is not a solicitation, funding opportunity, or request for proposals, and NSF will not make an award based on responses to this RFI. Responses are due October 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

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