Extramural Coordinated Funding


UM Submission Instructions: NSF X-Labs Initiative (Topic 1: Quantum Systems) 2026

Sponsor:
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Award Title:
NSF X-Labs Initiative (Topic 1: Quantum Systems)
Amount:
$1.5M
NSF anticipates awarding teams selected for Phase 0 no more than $1,500,000, and teams selected for Phase 1 no more than $50,000,000 per year.
UM Deadline:
05/27/2026
Sponsor Deadline:
07/24/2026
Description:

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has officially launched its landmark $1.5B NSF X-Labs initiative (previously referenced as the Tech Labs Initiative). Administered by TIP, this outcomes-driven program is designed to operate at "startup speed". It utilizes milestone-based Other Transaction (OT) contracts to fund full-time, dedicated research and development teams targeting foundational platform technologies. Selected teams can receive up to $50M per year during Phase 1 to overcome critical engineering bottlenecks that traditional academic grants cannot easily address. While this program is focused on developing transformative scientific breakthroughs and platform technologies, the novel terms and requirements present substantial organizational challenges and potentially unacceptable risks and/or costs to the University. RIO, in partnership with OGC and others, is engaged in an ongoing assessment of these risks and costs and will strive to communicate findings to potential participants and colleges as quickly as possible. However, potential participants should understand that given the unprecedentedness of much of the X-Lab program, there will be an initial period of uncertainty, and the University may decide not to participate and/or endorse teams for this solicitation.

This funding mechanism is entirely distinct from standard federal grants, and it presents unprecedented administrative and legal requirements. To be eligible for an award, proposing teams must pass a strict "Autonomy Factor Test" demonstrating substantial independence from UMN.

Specifically, the university must develop an approach that provides a world-class research environment and compliance support while completely removing traditional bureaucratic barriers:

  • Operational Autonomy: The X-Lab must maintain absolute internal control over its own hiring, salary negotiations, procurement, and funding allocations without requiring UMN institutional approval.
  • Intellectual Property (IP) Waiver: Crucially, standard federal IP regulations (like the Bayh-Dole Act) do not automatically apply under this OT authority. The X-Lab must hold full ownership and internal control over all produced IP; UMN cannot maintain ownership or control.
  • Full-time commitment: after 1 year (by start of Phase 1) all senior/key personnel and/or X-lab leadership have to be dedicated full-time to the X-lab.

The RDO is actively collaborating with the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) to structure the bespoke legal and operational frameworks required to make university participation possible.

Please review this memo on the University of Minnesota's approach and process for the X-Labs opportunity for critical context and information.

Number of Applicants University is Allowed to submit:
2
Additional Requirements:
None
Sponsor Guidelines:
https://www.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/nsf-x-labs (opens in a new window)
UM Nominations Process:

Internal Submission Requirements

Step One: Expression of Interest

RIO kindly requests that all interested PIs email collabor@umn.edu to express their intent to submit an internal application no later than 4pm on 5/27/2026.

In your email, please include:

  • 1. Focus Area: Quantum Systems or Scientific Instrumentation for Sensing and Imaging
  • 2. List of 3-5 names of possible UMN reviewers (NOT References, with no Conflicts of Interest)
  • 3. 5 keywords to be used as search terms for possible reviewers.

Providing this information in advance of the internal deadline, especially your list of potential reviewers, allows our office to begin recruiting the review committee and expedites the overall review process.

Step Two: Internal Submission

Those interested in applying should submit the following as a single pdf document to collabor@umn.edu no later than 4pm on 06/01/2026:

1. Cover Page: Include PI name, department, contact information, project title, any co-PI's name and department, and one paragraph project abstract.

2. Project Overview and High-Level Timeline: The combined project overview and timeline cannot exceed 2 pages and must summarize the project by stating its goals and outlining the proposed approaches to achieve them.

3. Biosketch(es) of PI and any co-PI's (NSF format, 2-5 pages).

4. If not already submitted in Step One (see above), a list of 3-5 names of possible UMN reviewers (NOT References, with no Conflicts of Interest) plus 5 keywords to be used as search terms for possible reviewers (can be added to Cover Page).

RIO's target date for selecting nominee(s): 06/17/2026

Peer Review Coordination:
Research and Innovation Office contact email
Status:
Open
Please note:
To be considered for peer review and internal selection, faculty must follow the above submission guidelines and meet the UM deadline as set by the office coordinating the peer review for this opportunity.

General Information


  • Each posting has information about the external sponsor and opportunity as well as the internal application instructions.
  • Opportunities can be sorted by column headings; just click on the heading to re-sort by that column.
  • When a link redirects you to another site, it opens in a new browser window.
  • If you know of an opportunity that is not on the list, please contact Kristin Mead.

Internal Requirements


  • Sponsor: Name of funder.
  • Award Title: Funding opportunity nameAmount: Range/Maximum dollar amount awarded.
  • UMN Deadline: Submission deadline for internal proposal as determined by the coordinating office.
  • Sponsor Deadline: External deadline identified by the sponsor.
  • Description: General information about the sponsor and the funding opportunity. Usually describes the purpose of the funding opportunity, overview of what the sponsor is looking for, including distinctive criteria. This is not meant to take the place of the sponsor guidelines; please read the sponsor guidelines before deciding to apply.
  • Number of Applicants University is Allowed to Submit: The maximum number of applications the sponsor will allow the university to submit.
  • Additional Requirements: Identifies any special requirements such as cost sharing, partners, etc.
  • Sponsor Guidelines: Link to the sponsor’s funding opportunity website.
  • UMN Nominations Process: Contains specific internal submission requirements including internal proposal instructions, deadline, eligibility, internal nomination process, contact information.
  • Peer Review Coordination: The name and contact email of the office coordinating the funding opportunity. RIO coordinates most limited submissions, but opportunities coordinated by other offices or programs are also posted on this webpage.
  • Status:
    • Open: UM deadline has not passed and the opportunity is open for application.
    • Forecasted: The funder has not yet formally published the opportunity. The deadline has yet to be determined.
    • Archived: The opportunity has been archived by the funder.
    • Spots Remaining: UMN deadline has passed, with some applicant spots still available. Contact collabor@umn.edu if interested
    • First-Come, First-Served: Applicants accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact collabor@umn.edu if interested
    • Contact Us: The internal deadline has passed, but no applicants were selected. Please contact the office coordinating the peer review for more information.
    • In Review: Peer review process is in progress for the opportunity.
    • PI Selected: The PI(s) have been selected as the official UMN nominees.
    • Closed: UMN is no longer accepting applications.

UMN Selection Process


  • Once the internal deadline has passed, if the number of applicants is less than or equal to the number of spots the university is allowed to send forward, the applicants automatically become the UMN nominee(s).
  • If the status of an opportunity is "First-Come, First-Served", there was not time to hold an internal review. Applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • If there are no applicants, the status will change to "Contact Us". At this point, the opportunity changes to a first-come, first-served opportunity.
  • If there are multiple applicants, the office coordinating the nomination will determine the review criteria and coordinate the review process. The status will change to "In Review".
  • Once the review has been completed all parties will be notified via email.
  • Nominees will be provided with an email from RIO (or the designated coordinating office) indicating that they are the university's nominee. This letter should accompany the nominee's proposal.
  • SPA is notified of the university's nominee(s) and the status is updated to "PI(s) Selected".