The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced From Sequence to Function, a new NSF X-Labs topic supporting platform technologies that connect protein sequence and structure to predictable, controllable biological function. Written proposals are due February 8, 2027, at 5:00 PM Eastern. NSF anticipates one or more Other Transaction (OT) awards under the topic.
Issued through NSF’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), the opportunity seeks full-time research and development teams working on breakthroughs that traditional university and industry labs cannot easily address. Potential applications span biomanufacturing, chemical engineering, biosensing, agriculture, and other biotechnology sectors.
For background on the initiative’s team structure, operational autonomy, and phased funding model, read our overview of NSF X-Labs.
What Is NSF Seeking?
From Sequence to Function seeks technologies that enable the intentional design of individual proteins or entire genomes with predictable or controllable functions. Teams may integrate advances in protein design and synthesis, genome assembly, synthetic cells, and experimental functional discovery and validation. The announcement also identifies super intelligence (SI) as a potential tool for accelerating this work.
Illustrative missions include:
Models that predict protein-molecule interactions, including new approaches to collecting or integrating SI training data.
Nanoscale protein-based molecular motors.
Enzyme platforms that discover and engineer pathways with specific molecular behaviors.
Synthetic cell or genome platforms that produce predictable, controllable biological functions.
Each team must define a mission aligned with the topic and explain how its platform could create or reshape a scientific field or technology sector. Teams should identify two or three high-utility application domains and eventually establish projects within them. Proposals must also address mission-specific biosafety and biosecurity, including an assessment of dangerous gain-of-function and a plan to mitigate unintended consequences.
Which Approaches Are Out of Scope?
NSF excludes:
Technologies with narrow impact that cannot be widely deployed.
Fundamental research without potential application in platform technologies.
Incremental advances over the state of the art.
Standalone predictive models that do not generate or integrate new experimental data.
Technologies already developed or supported by existing U.S. public or private research and development investments.
Award Structure and Participation Limits
NSF anticipates an initial nine-month Phase 0, with the Go/No Go selection process for Phase 1 beginning after seven months. Teams selected for Phase 1 are expected to receive approximately 24 to 36 months of performance, with the intention of renewing high-performing teams for Phase 2 following subsequent selections. Funding is milestone-based.
An eligible organization may submit up to two Phase 0 written proposals as the lead organization under this topic. Senior/Key Personnel may appear on only one written proposal for the topic. Detailed eligibility, award terms, and proposal requirements are established in the overarching NSF X-Labs Other Transactions Agreement Solutions Offering, NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitiative, and its latest amendment.
Key Dates and Submission Requirements
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Informational webinar | November 18, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 PM Eastern |
| Questions due | December 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern |
| Written proposals due | February 8, 2027, at 5:00 PM Eastern |
| Anticipated Phase 0 start | September 2027 |
| Anticipated Phase 1 Go/No Go selection begins | April 2028 |
| Anticipated Phase 1 start | June 2028 |
Dates are provided in the topic announcement; phase start dates are anticipated.
NSF will evaluate written proposals and invite a smaller number of teams to submit an Oral Proposal Package and deliver an oral presentation. Written proposals must follow Section 10 of the overarching X-Labs offering, or its latest amendment, and be submitted through the NSF X-Labs submission portal.
Questions must be emailed to [email protected] using the provided Attachment C question template. The subject line must include the topic identifier, NSF-Topic4-FY26-Sequence-to-Function. Applicants can also register for the November 18 informational webinar.
EverGlade is a national advisory firm helping innovators navigate the federal funding ecosystem. We support companies across the funding lifecycle, from early-stage strategy through proposal development, negotiations, and post-award execution, ensuring you win the award and deliver the program.
For additional information on where your capabilities could plug into this X-Labs initiative, schedule a conversation with our team.
