NSF releases X-Labs bioengineering funding opportunity
NSF invites proposals from teams working to accelerate breakthroughs in understanding the relationship between biological sequence and function
The U.S. National Science Foundation announced the release of the NSF X-Labs funding opportunity in the technical domain of bioengineering. This funding opportunity is part of the $1.5 billion investment the agency initiated in May and brings the number of NSF X-Labs portfolio topics to four. NSF's substantial, long-term investment in NSF X-Labs over the next decade aims to tackle pressing scientific and technological challenges through novel and innovative research partnerships. This X-Labs topic — titled From Sequence to Function — was previewed in an announcement last month.
Although recent advances in biology and bioengineering allow scientists to predict the static structures of proteins, significant gaps remain in understanding their dynamic behaviors and biological functions. This NSF X-Labs funding opportunity invites proposals that will accelerate breakthroughs in understanding the relationship between sequence and function by creating platform technologies that enable the intentional design of individual proteins or entire genomes whose function is predictable. By reliably linking protein sequence and structure to biological function, the U.S. can unlock a new era of bioengineering.
"Today's science and technology translation challenges require new approaches with coordinated, multidisciplinary teams," said Erwin Gianchandani, NSF Assistant Director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP). "Through this topic release, NSF is betting that ambitious, full-time teams working with urgency and purpose will establish reliable links between biological sequence and function. By providing these teams with the structure, resources, and flexibility necessary to cultivate early-stage platform technologies, NSF aims to accelerate breakthroughs in bioengineering and unlock novel capabilities, products, and processes that will transform biomanufacturing, chemical engineering, biosensing, agriculture, and other sectors of the economy."
NSF X-Labs — independent teams of researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs pursuing milestone-based federal funding to solve specific scientific challenges — reflect the interdisciplinary nature of today's science ecosystem. NSF released the first two NSF X-Labs topics and associated funding opportunities in May, and a third topic and funding opportunity last month. NSF also issued a request for information (RFI) in September seeking feedback on potential topics for future NSF X-Labs funding opportunities. Responses to the RFI are due by Oct. 30, 2026.
The NSF X-Labs initiative is guided by the administration's priority to revitalize and strengthen America's science and technology ecosystem by exploring innovative models for funding and sharing high-value scientific research infrastructure and results. The design choices underpinning these efforts are informed by thoughtful science policy scholarship and entrepreneurship from both established and emerging think tanks, metascience experts, congressionally chartered study commissions, and the broader scientific community.
To learn more about the From Sequence to Function topic and how to apply, read the NSF X-Labs funding opportunity and topic announcement on the NSF X-Labs webpage. You may also join an upcoming webinar on Wed., Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. EST. You must register online to join the webinar.
To learn about future NSF X-Labs topics and funding opportunities, sign up for NSF TIP emails.
About NSF TIP
The NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP) seeks to engage all Americans in accelerating critical and emerging technologies to advance U.S. competitiveness. The directorate partners across sectors to advance three strategies: accelerating critical and emerging technology, expanding the geography of American innovation, and building a competition-ready workforce. For more information about NSF TIP, visit nsf.gov/tip/latest.