NSF X-Labs Initiative
This funding opportunity is significantly different from those you may typically pursue as it is not something a team can undertake alone but rather requires coordinated effort that operates with a high degree of independence. Due to these extraordinary requirements, we will have additional guidance for investigators in the near future.
The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is pleased to announce a special limited submission call for NSF X-Labs. While limited submission competitions typically focus on selecting applicant(s) due to sponsor-imposed institutional limits, this internal call is intended solely to assess interest and strengths across UConn and UConn Health.
Program Summary
The NSF X-Labs Initiative is a new, outcomes-driven program designed to accelerate the development of novel platform technologies with the potential to create or transform entire fields and sectors. Rather than supporting traditional projects, X-Labs invests in independent teams pursuing ambitious, use-inspired efforts that address challenges not easily tackled within existing structures. NSF will release specific topic areas through periodic Topic Announcements, and proposals must be submitted through a designated topic area. There are currently two topic areas announced under this initiative.
Topic Area 1: Quantum Systems: Interconnects and Integrated Photonics
This topic focuses on advancing quantum interconnects and integrated quantum photonics as foundational technologies for next-generation quantum systems. While quantum computing is rapidly approaching a transformative moment, significant technical barriers remain in connecting and scaling quantum components into functional, system-level architectures. This effort aims to develop platform technologies that enable the transfer of quantum information between subsystems and the integration of photonic components onto compact, scalable platforms, ultimately supporting applications in computing, sensing, and networking. Successful efforts will address key challenges such as modular system architectures, quantum transduction, and integrated photonic circuits, with the goal of enabling broadly deployable, system-level quantum capabilities.
Topic Area 2: Scientific Instrumentation for Sensing and Imaging
This topic focuses on advancing next-generation scientific instrumentation for sensing and imaging to enable entirely new ways of observing and measuring complex systems. Many critical scientific challenges remain out of reach due to current limitations in measurement capabilities, from visualizing molecular-scale processes to capturing dynamic biological or material systems in real time. This effort aims to develop transformative platform technologies, including quantum sensing, AI-driven imaging, and novel sensing modalities, that push beyond existing limits and redefine what can be measured. Successful approaches will overcome key technical barriers and enable broadly deployable tools that drive new discoveries across science and technology.
Next Steps
If you believe your research strongly aligns with one or both of these topic areas, we invite you to submit a Notification of Interest (NOI) describing what you would bring to potential collaborative efforts.
All interested PIs must submit an NOI through the UConn Quest Portal by Thursday, May 28th by 5 p.m. ET
Please note that this is an exploratory phase focused on assessing interest and institutional strengths. Should a formal selection process become necessary (an eligible organization can submit a maximum of two proposals per Topic Announcement), additional details will be forthcoming.
Questions? Email us: research@uconn.edu
Submissions to this program are made via a third-party software application, SurveyMonkey Apply. The terms of use and privacy statements for this software apply to your use of it and to the information you provide in your application. Before proceeding with your submission, please review their terms and privacy statements linked below.
NSF X-Labs
NSF X-Labs Initiative
This funding opportunity is significantly different from those you may typically pursue as it is not something a team can undertake alone but rather requires coordinated effort that operates with a high degree of independence. Due to these extraordinary requirements, we will have additional guidance for investigators in the near future.
The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) is pleased to announce a special limited submission call for NSF X-Labs. While limited submission competitions typically focus on selecting applicant(s) due to sponsor-imposed institutional limits, this internal call is intended solely to assess interest and strengths across UConn and UConn Health.
Program Summary
The NSF X-Labs Initiative is a new, outcomes-driven program designed to accelerate the development of novel platform technologies with the potential to create or transform entire fields and sectors. Rather than supporting traditional projects, X-Labs invests in independent teams pursuing ambitious, use-inspired efforts that address challenges not easily tackled within existing structures. NSF will release specific topic areas through periodic Topic Announcements, and proposals must be submitted through a designated topic area. There are currently two topic areas announced under this initiative.
Topic Area 1: Quantum Systems: Interconnects and Integrated Photonics
This topic focuses on advancing quantum interconnects and integrated quantum photonics as foundational technologies for next-generation quantum systems. While quantum computing is rapidly approaching a transformative moment, significant technical barriers remain in connecting and scaling quantum components into functional, system-level architectures. This effort aims to develop platform technologies that enable the transfer of quantum information between subsystems and the integration of photonic components onto compact, scalable platforms, ultimately supporting applications in computing, sensing, and networking. Successful efforts will address key challenges such as modular system architectures, quantum transduction, and integrated photonic circuits, with the goal of enabling broadly deployable, system-level quantum capabilities.
Topic Area 2: Scientific Instrumentation for Sensing and Imaging
This topic focuses on advancing next-generation scientific instrumentation for sensing and imaging to enable entirely new ways of observing and measuring complex systems. Many critical scientific challenges remain out of reach due to current limitations in measurement capabilities, from visualizing molecular-scale processes to capturing dynamic biological or material systems in real time. This effort aims to develop transformative platform technologies, including quantum sensing, AI-driven imaging, and novel sensing modalities, that push beyond existing limits and redefine what can be measured. Successful approaches will overcome key technical barriers and enable broadly deployable tools that drive new discoveries across science and technology.
Next Steps
If you believe your research strongly aligns with one or both of these topic areas, we invite you to submit a Notification of Interest (NOI) describing what you would bring to potential collaborative efforts.
All interested PIs must submit an NOI through the UConn Quest Portal by Thursday, May 28th by 5 p.m. ET
Please note that this is an exploratory phase focused on assessing interest and institutional strengths. Should a formal selection process become necessary (an eligible organization can submit a maximum of two proposals per Topic Announcement), additional details will be forthcoming.
Questions? Email us: research@uconn.edu
Submissions to this program are made via a third-party software application, SurveyMonkey Apply. The terms of use and privacy statements for this software apply to your use of it and to the information you provide in your application. Before proceeding with your submission, please review their terms and privacy statements linked below.