Quantum Interconnects and Integrated Photonics

June 30, 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 be structured as a Q&A.

Respondents are recommended to review the funding opportunity before the webinar to maximize the effectiveness of the Q&A session.