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NSF X-Labs Initiative - Quantum Systems: Interconnects and Integrated Photonics

X-Labs Quantum Systems Portal

All applications for this internal competition must be submitted via InfoReady. You can sign in using your Net-ID and your @stonybrook.edu email address. Please allow sufficient time to familiarize yourself with the portal prior to submitting your pre-application. Pre-application requirements are listed in the announcement below.

The Office for Research and Innovation invites applications to the NSF X-Labs Initiative - Quantum Systems: Interconnects and Integrated Photonics program. The program will support full-time research and development (R&D) teams focused on use-inspired scientific breakthroughs and foundational platform technologies that traditional university and industry labs cannot easily address. Stony Brook University may submit TWO Phase 0 Written Proposals as a lead organization. 

Please see below for details. If you are interested in applying, you must submit a pre-application via the X-Labs Quantum Systems Portal in InfoReady by Monday, June 1, 2026 at 9:00 am.  Pre-applications for internal review and selection must be uploaded to the portal as a single PDF document. 

DISCIPLINES: Quantum Information Science and Technology, Computer Science, Informatics, Physics and Astronomy, and related fields

WHAT DOES IT FUND: NSF X-Labs in this Topic will target research and development of technologies to enable next-generation quantum interconnects, integrated quantum photonics and/or their supporting technologies.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS: Senior/Key Personnel may be listed on a maximum of one Written Proposal per Topic Announcement. Senior/Key personnel and/or members of an NSF X-Lab’s core leadership team must be dedicated full-time to the team by the beginning of Phase 1, unless otherwise approved by NSF.

AWARD: NSF anticipates awarding teams selected for Phase 0 no more than $1,500,000 for 9 months, and teams selected for Phase 1 no more than $50,000,000 per year for 2-3 years, with the intention of renewing high performing teams for Phase 2 following subsequent Go/No Go selections.

COST SHARE: Not required for Phase 0. Teams are encouraged to leverage complementary support from partners, including for equipment access for Phase 1 applications. 

SPONSOR DEADLINE: Written Proposals due July 24, 2026; Oral Presentations (by invite only) August 31 to September 4, 2026

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

SPECIAL NOTICE: There are some complexities with this funding opportunity that are being reviewed by RF Legal. We will send an addendum to this LC with any additional guidance we receive.  Additionally, although the submission portal does not explicitly require AOR submission, note that this is a limited opportunity and the NSF expects that the two proposals submitted were given formal institutional approval to move forward. 

A complete pre-application should comprise of the following:
  • Written Proposals (not exceed a total of 3 single-sided pages, typed, single-spaced, using 12-point font, and printed on 8½” by 11” paper, with 1” margins on all sides) including:
    • Mission: Describe one or more novel platform technologies that the proposed NSF X-Lab is uniquely suited to advance. Successful teams will have a clear vision statement of how their work will result in an end-state that reshapes an entire field of scientific inquiry or a sector of technology, and how their Mission is currently unmet by existing organizational structures and funding mechanisms.
    • Technology Landscape: Provide an analysis of the current technology landscape that justifies how the proposed platform technology would accelerate the emergence of new technologies and lines of research. The Technology Landscape Analysis should compare current state-of-the-art technology and should provide a clear description of the team’s goal to progress the technology and unlock fundamentally new capabilities.
    • Outcomes: Describe the team’s ambitious target outcomes over a 5- to 7-year timescale to accomplish the stated Mission and the scientific and technical performance benchmarks needed to get there.
    • Senior/Key Personnel Qualifications: Provide a brief description of the qualifications of Senior/Key Personnel on the team. Include technical expertise, experience commercializing technology, past efforts, and other qualifications that will contribute to achieving the team’s Mission. Include information for all Senior/Key Personnel, including team members not currently affiliated with the lead organization.
    • Team Capabilities Statement: Provide a Team Capability Statement describing how the Senior/Key Personnel on the proposed leadership team bring together complementary expertise in strategic leadership, technical expertise, and/or entrepreneurship, as applicable. The statement should describe how, collectively, the team demonstrates the experience, adaptability, and collaborative approach necessary to execute the Mission. Briefly describe the team’s intended governance structure and autonomy during Phase 0 and Phase 1. If applicable, include an overview of networks, partnerships, and capital resources your team currently has and how they will be deployed in support of the proposal.