Quantum Interconnects and Integrated Photonics

June 4, 2026 | 1 PM CT | Virtual

The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP) invites you to attend an introductory webinar on the recently released NSF X-Labs initiative and its topic: Quantum Interconnects and Integrated Photonics.

NSF X-Labs represent a bold, flexible, and outcomes-driven initiative designed to build and accelerate novel platform technologies capable of unlocking entirely new sectors, including new fields of scientific inquiry. 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. NSF X-Labs teams will benefit from ambitious R&D goals, operational autonomy, milestone-based funding, and the ability to engage across academia, industry, national laboratories, and nonprofit sectors. NSF X-Labs will bet on ambitious, full-time teams working with urgency and purpose, and provide them with the structure, resources, and flexibility necessary to cultivate early-stage platform technologies that will accelerate breakthroughs and unlock entirely new sectors of the economy.

NSF X-Labs in this topic will focus on the research and development of technologies to enable next-generation quantum interconnects, integrated quantum photonics and/or their supporting technologies. NSF X-Labs teams will target specific platform technologies that, if successful, will provide a roadmap for the integration of second-generation quantum systems. NSF Tech Labs in this topic will aim to develop foundational platform solutions that can form the basis for broad industry adoption.

The webinar will include a brief presentation followed by time for questions.