NSF Launches New Initiative to Support Transformative Independent Research Organizations

The U.S. National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships has announced a major new effort aimed at accelerating breakthrough science. The Tech Labs Initiative is designed to fund and scale a new generation of independent research organizations that operate outside traditional academic and industry settings. NSF is currently seeking public feedback through a Request for Information.

As scientific challenges grow increasingly complex and multidisciplinary, conventional research structures can struggle to address emerging technical needs. The Tech Labs Initiative aims to fill this gap by empowering full-time, mission driven research teams with the flexibility and autonomy to pursue bold, high impact ideas.

NSF TIP Assistant Director Erwin Gianchandani emphasized the importance of expanding the nation's scientific funding approaches. He noted that Tech Labs will give entrepreneurial scientific teams the ability to move quickly, without the delays common in multi stage grant cycles.

The initiative will support interdisciplinary teams of researchers, engineers, and scientists working to overcome technical bottlenecks and advance technologies with the potential to reshape or create entire sectors. Unlike traditional research models centered on publications or datasets, Tech Labs will enable teams to take ideas from early prototypes to commercially viable platforms that are ready for private sector investment and deployment. NSF anticipates major investment in fiscal year 2026, including multi year awards for selected teams.

To help shape the initiative, NSF is inviting input from academia, industry, philanthropy, government, and other interested groups. Respondents can share feedback by reviewing the RFI and registering for a webinar scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at 11 a.m. EST. A companion program, the NSF TIP Tech Accelerators Initiative, will also be announced soon. It will share the core principles of Tech Labs but focus specifically on accelerating technology translation in key national priority areas.

Both initiatives support the broader national mission to strengthen the American science and technology ecosystem by exploring new models for funding high value research and infrastructure. They reflect insights from science policy experts, entrepreneurial organizations, and longstanding research commissions.

Together, these efforts aim to empower the next generation of scientific innovators and expand the nation’s capacity to pursue transformative research.

Submitted by Jason Gigax on Fri, 12/12/2025 - 13:49