NSF · Thursday, September 17, 2026
NSF adds three X-Labs topics, including AI for physical systems
The File desk · Sep 17, 2026, 2:07 PM UTC
Status
Confirmed from a U.S. National Science Foundation news post dated Sept. 16, 2026.
The National Science Foundation announced three additional NSF X-Labs topics on Sept. 16 as part of a $1.5 billion investment it started in May, completing the topic list for 2026. The new funding window invites proposals in artificial intelligence for physical systems, including work on sensors, robotics, and other machines that have to act in the real world. NSF is also previewing two later topics it is not yet taking proposals for: From Sequence to Function, and Computation at the Limit of Physics. Brian Stone, performing the duties of the NSF director, said the labs are meant to put researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs on the same teams. An introductory webinar is listed for Oct. 14, 2026, at 1 p.m. Eastern. A request for information on future topics is due Oct. 30, 2026.
The National Science Foundation announced three additional NSF X-Labs topics on Sept. 16 as part of a $1.5 billion investment it started in May, completing the topic list for 2026.
The new funding window invites proposals in artificial intelligence for physical systems, including work on sensors, robotics, and other machines that have to act in the real world.
NSF is also previewing two later topics it is not yet taking proposals for: From Sequence to Function, and Computation at the Limit of Physics.
Brian Stone, performing the duties of the NSF director, said the labs are meant to put researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs on the same teams.
An introductory webinar is listed for Oct. 14, 2026, at 1 p.m. Eastern. A request for information on future topics is due Oct. 30, 2026.
What is still unknown or disputed
- Dollar amounts per topic, and the later proposal calendars for the two previewed topics, are not in this announcement.
Primary sources
Every claim in this story is drawn from the documents below. If a fetch failed, that is recorded on the card.
Source 1
NSF announces 3 additional topics as part of the NSF X-Labs initiative to pursue generational breakthrough science and technology efforts
U.S. National Science Foundation · September 16, 2026
NSF X-Labs invites proposals from teams working in AI for physical systems and announces two forthcoming topics. $1.5 billion investment initiated in May. Completing the portfolio of topics for calendar year 2026. Webinar Oct. 14, 2026, 1 p.m. EDT. RFI due Oct. 30, 2026.
https://www.nsf.gov/news/nsf-announces-3-additional-topics-part-nsf-x-labs-initiative