National Science Foundation (NSF)

Curious about the NSF X-Labs initiative? Join the first of four introductory webinars on NSF X-Labs, a bold, flexible and outcomes-driven initiative designed to build and accelerate novel platform technologies that can unlock entirely new sectors and new fields of scientific inquiry. Topic: "Introduction to the NSF X-Labs Funding Opportunity on Scientific Instrumentation for Sensing and Imaging" 📆 Thursday, May 28, 2026 🕐 1-2 p.m. EDT To register: https://bit.ly/4f0QolY The webinar will feature a brief presentation followed by a Q&A session. Learn more about NSF X Labs: https://bit.ly/4fxsvT1.

The U.S. National Science Foundation is settling into its new headquarters. 🎉 As we open the doors to our new building, we are excited to continue our mission of keeping America at the forefront of science, engineering and technology while advancing the nation's health, prosperity and welfare. This building represents more than a new address — it reflects our commitment to the American public as an engine of our nation's research enterprise. 📸: Charlotte Geary/NSF

A new biotech security system protects valuable cells with a genetic passcode. 🔒🧬 Genome editing has revolutionized biotechnology. Many essential products that we rely on are produced by genetically engineered cells — plants, tissues, etc. — making them incredibly valuable yet vulnerable to theft or espionage. GeneLock™, developed by NSF-funded researchers, safeguards valuable genetic material at the DNA level with an engineered passcode. The DNA is scrambled to prevent function, and only a specific chemical can restore it, blocking unauthorized access. "A crucial aspect to any good, uncrackable passcode is having an enormous number of possible combinations," said Clifford Weil, a NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences program director. "By combining the huge variation possible in DNA with many small chemical molecules and testing the system in this way, the work is both innovative and of vital interest to the security of biotechnologies at many levels." Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eB47QdGJ 📷: Image by Adobe Stock #biotechnology #genetics #science #biotech

Dozens of shipwreck mysteries are being uncovered through advances in machine learning and robotics. ⚓ Katie Skinner, an NSF-supported assistant professor, is advancing the field of robotics by combining computer vision with AI-driven machine learning techniques to search for shipwrecks in Lake Huron, where many known and suspected wrecks are located within the NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Watch to learn about their publicly available shipwreck dataset, which joined the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource, a vision for a shared national research infrastructure for AI: https://lnkd.in/eDdWktwx The AI4Shipwrecks dataset was supported by the NOAA Ocean Exploration program under Award #NA21OAR0110196.

Today, the U.S. National Science Foundation announced $1.5 billion over the next decade for the NSF X-Labs initiative to tackle pressing scientific challenges through novel research partnerships. NSF X-Labs are independent teams of researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs pursuing milestone-based federal funding to solve specific scientific challenges. The first round of NSF X-Labs funding opportunities seeks proposals to develop next-generation scientific sensing and imaging instruments and advanced quantum interconnect and photonics technologies that enable future quantum computing systems. "The NSF X-Labs initiative represents our ambitious commitment to meeting the needs of the scientific enterprise today and tomorrow," said Brian Stone, performing the duties of the NSF director. "With an initial investment of up to $1.5 billion in independent, milestone-driven research teams pursuing sector-defining platform capabilities, we're creating the conditions for transformative breakthroughs and accelerating America's leadership in the technologies that will define this century." Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eERDpfvX.

For 76 years, the U.S. National Science Foundation has fueled the breakthrough ideas that have expanded the boundaries of discovery and deepened our understanding of the world. As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, NSF is highlighting how investments in science and engineering have transformed everyday life and helped establish the United States as a global leader in innovation and technology. Recently, The Wall Street Journal asked readers to rank the 60 most impactful U.S. inventions. Many of the technologies that shape modern life got their start with NSF support. Can you guess which ones? 

Exciting opportunity for early-career scientists and engineers. On Monday, May 11, the U.S. National Science Foundation will release new vacancy announcements that may be of particular interest to recent graduates, postdocs and students nearing completion of their studies. These positions will support NSF program directors in: ✅ Planning and analyzing research portfolios. ✅ Identifying emerging research areas. ✅ Managing and supporting the merit review process. ✅ Using data analysis to understand the research community and the impact of NSF investments. ✅ Engaging with the broader scientific community through outreach and collaboration activities. The announcements will be posted on the NSF Careers webpage, and applications will be submitted through USAJobs. Stay tuned. https://lnkd.in/eDVQeEmV #sciencejobs

Join the U.S. National Science Foundation this week at the AI+ Expo from May 7 to May 9. Come find us at booths #1124 and #749 in the AI+ Expo exhibit hall for a firsthand look at how NSF investments are driving the next generation of artificial intelligence breakthroughs. At booth #1124, meet researchers from four NSF programs that support the development and translation of breakthrough AI technologies, including the National AI Research Institutes, America's Seed Fund, powered by NSF, NSF Regional Innovation Engines and the NSF Mid-Scale Research Infrastructure program. Booth #749 will showcase NSF investments in the next generation of AI innovators advancing AI literacy, workforce development and hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics education through the Advanced Technological Education, Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers, NSF STEM K-12 and Discovery Research PreK-12 programs. https://lnkd.in/eN6ZWb89 📷: Graphic by U.S. National Science Foundation/Images left to right: Ocean Observatories Initiative; Carnegie Mellon University; Brandon Martin/Rice University; Adobe Stock #AIExpoDC

Join us for a dynamic discussion to kick off NSF America's Seed Fund Week! 📅 Monday, May 11 ⏰ 2-3 p.m. EDT 💻 Virtual (free to attend) The U.S. National Science Foundation is hosting an interactive conversation with NSF-funded startups and their journeys from early-stage ideas to real-world impact. Moderated by NSF program directors, this discussion will offer insights into moving research and innovation beyond the lab and into practical use. Tune in to learn how to turn early-stage ideas into game-changing technologies, navigate the pathway from prototype to deployment, and measure what matters: outcomes and real impact. Reserve your spot now: https://lnkd.in/eXgC7xvG Every year, America's Seed Fund, powered by NSF, awards over $250 million to help hundreds of startups transform scientific discoveries into products. #NSFSBIR #NSFfunded

The more you look, the more you will see. A waning crescent moon provided dark skies and great conditions to view stars falling like rain during the Lyrids meteor shower over the NSF-supported Gemini Observatory South telescope, with a glowing meteor caught in action above the city lights to the right. Also captured in the top left is part of the Milky Way galaxy and the Large Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy that orbits our own. Centered is the star Canopus, accompanied by the brightest star in the sky to the right, Sirius. With twin telescopes in Hawaii and Chile, the International Gemini Observatory, operated by NSF NOIRLab, provides access to state-of-the-art astronomical facilities, collectively accessing the entire night sky to advance our understanding of the universe. https://lnkd.in/d5KNccA7 📸: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/P. Horálek (Institute of Physics in Opava)