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NSF X-Labs Initiative - Quantum Systems: Interconnects and Integrated Photonics

Closed

NSF-Topic1-FY26-XLabsQuantumSystemsFederal

Submission Closed07/24/2026, 09:00:00 PM UTC

Contract Overview

Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.

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AI Contract Overview

The National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships is soliciting proposals under the Other Transaction Agreement Solutions Offering (OTASO) for the NSF X-Labs Initiative focused on quantum interconnects and integrated quantum photonics, with a deadline of July 24, 2026. This initiative seeks high-autonomy, full-time R&D teams capable of advancing foundational platform technologies that traditional academic or commercial labs cannot pursue alone, emphasizing transformative innovation over incremental progress. Proposals must demonstrate exceptional technical ambition, operational independence, and organizational flexibility to tackle critical bottlenecks in quantum information transfer using photonic platforms, with a focus on scalable integration of optical components like entangled sources, interferometers, and detectors onto compact chips. The solicitation emphasizes a milestone-driven, two-phase structure—Phase 0 for concept refinement and Phase 1 for execution—with potential for Phase 2 renewal contingent on performance and national interest, and funding tiers ranging from essential to comprehensive to enable trade-off analyses based on impact rather than cost alone. Proposals are evaluated holistically using criteria including alignment with the NSF X-Labs autonomy model, technical feasibility of high-risk/high-reward milestones, organizational capability of key personnel, and robust plans for intellectual property, data management, research security, and governance. All applicants must be registered in SAM with a valid UEI and disclose conflicts of interest and foreign influence affiliations; individuals from China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran, or those associated with prohibited foreign talent programs, are ineligible. Proposals are limited to eight single-sided pages in a specified format, submitted as a single PDF through the NSF portal, with mandatory supporting documents including a Letter of Collaboration, IP and Data Management Plans, a Governance Structure Plan, and biographical sketches via SciENcv. The solicitation operates outside the FAR framework under 42 U.S.C. § 19116, meaning no standardized FAR clauses apply; instead, contractual terms are defined through narrative requirements and conditions detailed in the solicitation. No set-asides are in effect, funding is milestone-based and non-refundable, and all submissions become government property subject to FOIA disclosure.

General Info

NSF seeks proposals for quantum photonics research teams to develop scalable quantum interconnect technologies.

Agency

National Science Foundation → Directorate For Technology, Innovation, & PartnershipsView Agency

NAICS

541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)View NAICS

Place of Performance

Alexandria, VA, USA

Set-Aside

NONE

Documents

(4)

NSF-Topic1-FY26-XLabsQuantumSystems.pdf

PDF

NSF OTASO FY26 X-Labs Initiative Amended June 23 2026

PDF•rfp

NSF OTASO FY26 X-Labs Initiative Solicitation

PDF•rfp

NSF OTASO FY26 X-Labs Initiative Attachment A Proposal Template

PDF•sow

AI Contract Breakdown

Uniform Contract Format

Timeline

1 update

PhaseClosed

PostedMay 14

Solicitation

Amendment 1Jun 23

Contract was updated

Response DeadlineJul 24

Deadline has passed

Submission Closed

07/24/2026, 09:00:00 PM UTC

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Organization & Contact Information

AgencyNational Science Foundation → Directorate For Technology, Innovation, & Partnerships

Contacts1 person available

OfficeAlexandria, VA, 22314, USA

Organization / Agency

National Science Foundation → Directorate For Technology, Innovation, & Partnerships

View Agency Profile

Office AddressAlexandria, VA, 22314, USA

Contacts

X-Labs

contact@example.gov

Full Description

NSF amended this solicitation on June 23, 2026. Section 6.1.1 has been updated. No other changes were made.

**********************************************

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 quantum interconnects and integrated quantum photonics. This NSF X-Labs Topic Announcement is issued under the Other Transaction 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 quantum systems, specifically quantum interconnects and integrated quantum photonics. Future quantum computing and quantum information processing systems are expected to rely on the ability to transfer quantum information, including coherence and entanglement, between discrete physical subsystems. Quantum photonic technologies that use photons as robust carriers of quantum information offer a promising pathway toward scalable quantum computing, sensing, metrology, and networking. Integrated quantum photonics may further enable dense integration of optical components, such as entangled sources, interferometers, filters, switches, and detectors, onto compact chips and packages.

NSF X-Labs teams selected under this Topic will focus on the research and development of technologies that enable next-generation quantum interconnects, integrated quantum photonics, and supporting technologies.

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.