NSF X-Labs Initiative – AI for Physical Systems Topic Announcement
Issued by NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION · NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION · DIRECTORATE FOR TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION, & PARTNERSHIPS · via SAM.gov — US federal contract opportunities
- Published
- 18 Sept 2026
- Closes
- 7 Jan 2027, 22:00 UTC
- Reference
- NSF-Topic3-FY26-XLabsPhysicalAI
- Location
- VA, United States
- Sector
- Research, Studies & Evaluation
At a glance
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION · NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION · DIRECTORATE FOR TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION, & PARTNERSHIPS in United States has published a tender in research, studies & evaluation: “NSF X-Labs Initiative – AI for Physical Systems Topic Announcement”. Submissions close on 7 January 2027, 55 days from today. Quote reference NSF-Topic3-FY26-XLabsPhysicalAI in any correspondence with the buyer. FreeTender has recorded 3 notices from this buyer since 2026, 3 of them currently open. There are 80 open research, studies & evaluation notices in United States on FreeTender. Bids are submitted to the buyer through SAM.gov — US federal contract opportunities, not through FreeTender.
Key requirements
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Details
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION · NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION · DIRECTORATE FOR TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION, & PARTNERSHIPS is soliciting NSF X-Labs Initiative – AI for Physical Systems Topic Announcement. Solicitation number NSF-Topic3-FY26-XLabsPhysicalAI. Classified under NAICS 541715 — Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). Product/service code AJ12 — R&D-PHYSICAL SCIENCE-A RES/EXPL DEV. Place of performance: VA, USA. Responses are due by 07 January 2027 22:00 UTC. Posted on SAM.gov, the US federal contract opportunities system; registration is required to bid.
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), is soliciting Written Proposals under the NSF X-Labs Initiative for the AI for Physical Systems Topic. NSF seeks innovative, early stage platform technologies that advance intelligent, adaptive, and scalable AI systems operating in or interfacing with the physical world, including robotics, embodied systems, human robot interfaces, advanced sensing, and cyber physical systems. NSF anticipates making one or more Other Transaction (OT) awards under 42 U.S.C. § 19116.
Context for bidders
We hold 3 notices from NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION · NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION · DIRECTORATE FOR TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION, & PARTNERSHIPS, going back to September 2026 — 3 of them still open. There are 80 open Research, Studies & Evaluation tenders in United States. This one closes in 55 days.
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