U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) X-Labs Initiative

The U.S. National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships is soliciting proposals under the NSF X-Labs Other Transaction Agreement Solutions Offering (OTASO), designated as NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitiative, with a submission deadline of May 14, 2028. This initiative is not a FAR-based procurement or financial assistance opportunity but operates under statutory Other Transaction authority pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 19116, enabling flexible, milestone-driven agreements to accelerate novel platform technologies that can transform scientific fields or technology sectors. Proposals must come from domestic responsible entities capable of forming full-time, interdisciplinary R&D teams with operational autonomy and technical expertise to pursue ambitious, use-inspired missions aligned with NSF X-Labs goals. The evaluation follows a two-step competitive process: first, a written proposal limited to eight single-sided pages, excluding a separately submitted conflict of interest statement with no page limit, must clearly articulate a vision for reshaping a field through a novel platform technology, supported by a thorough technology landscape analysis and a well-structured team with complementary senior personnel. Proposals are assessed roughly equally on team qualifications and structure versus mission clarity and outcomes, with eligibility and completeness serving as mandatory pass/fail gates. Selected teams advance to a second phase involving an oral presentation and submission of detailed materials including a Phase 0 milestone plan and biographical sketches of key personnel. Phase 0 awards, up to $1.5 million, last 9 to 12 months and require teams to produce specific milestone deliverables while establishing governance, structure, and preliminary capabilities. Teams demonstrating strong progress may transition to Phase 1, which offers funding up to $50 million per year for 24 to 36 months, with deliverables including quarterly reports and quantitative, verifiable progress milestones. High-performing Phase 1 teams may be invited into Phase 2, which has variable duration and is awarded based on subsequent Go/No Go decisions. All work must be performed within the United States, and teams must comply with strict research security requirements under the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, prohibiting participation by entities or individuals linked to North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran—including restrictions on citizens of those nations serving as Senior/Key Personnel and bans on affiliations with malign foreign talent programs. Lead organizations must be active in SAM.gov with a Unique Entity Identifier prior to submission, and all teams must submit a comprehensive conflict of interest statement using