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

The National Science Foundation Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships issued a Request for Information on September 16, 2026, to identify future topics for the NSF X-Labs Initiative. This initiative aims to establish independent, milestone-driven research organizations focused on high-impact platform technology breakthroughs. The NSF is seeking public input on candidate topics, critical technical bottlenecks, enabling infrastructure, and the specific conditions required for dedicated teams to accelerate scientific breakthroughs. This effort aligns with the OMB-OSTP Fiscal Year 2028 Research and Development Budget Priorities Memorandum and focuses on foundational platform technologies that require experimental validation. This RFI is strictly for planning and information-gathering purposes and is not a solicitation for funding or a request for proposals. No awards will be made based on these responses, and the NSF will not reimburse any costs associated with the submission process. Interested parties must submit their input via a structured Airtable online form by October 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET, adhering to a 1,300-character limit per question. While this is not a FAR-based procurement, the NSF X-Labs initiative intends to utilize Other Transaction contracts for its implementation, featuring a phased approach including a preparation phase and a Phase 1 period of performance typically lasting 24 to 36 months.