Test Bed: Toward a Network of Programmable Cloud Laboratories

The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships and the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, is soliciting proposals under the “Test Bed: Toward a Network of Programmable Cloud Laboratories (PCL Test Bed)” program (NSF 25-541). This initiative aims to create a distributed network of programmable, autonomous laboratory facilities that can be remotely accessed by users to execute custom workflows. These workflows will utilize artificial intelligence to assist in experiment design, data collection, and analysis. The program is grounded in the vision of democratizing access to advanced lab equipment and fostering scalable, reproducible research that benefits a broad scientific community. The goal of the PCL Test Bed is to bridge existing gaps in automated laboratory infrastructure, data interoperability, and AI-driven experimentation. Awarded PCL Nodes will support science drivers in fields such as materials science, chemistry, and biotechnology, and will collectively serve as a national platform for experimentation. These nodes must be based at institutions with existing instrument facilities and will receive cooperative agreements of up to $5 million annually for four years. Each node must develop a plan for sustained operation after the award concludes. The test bed is expected to foster innovation, reproducibility, and broader access to scientific resources. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to support autonomous and high-throughput experimentation, develop common data and metadata standards, and assist users in running bespoke experiment workflows. Proposals must be centered around well-defined science drivers—e.g., advanced materials, bioeconomy-related biotechnology, or catalyst discovery—that are poised to benefit from automated, AI-supported research environments. Each proposal must include a detailed management plan, implementation timeline, collaboration strategy across nodes, and a sustainability plan for post-award operations. Only institutions with pre-existing instrument facilities are eligible to apply, and each institution may submit only one proposal as a lead. A co-principal investigator with expertise in data and artificial intelligence is required. Proposals will be reviewed using NSF’s standard merit review criteria, with additional consideration for broader impacts, collaboration potential, and alignment with program goals. Successful proposals must clearly describe the instruments, capabilities, and personnel available to support the science drivers and users of the node. Applications are due by 5 p.m. local time on November 20, 2025. There are no pre-proposal or letter of intent requirements. Proposals can be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov and must conform to the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Cost sharing is prohibited. Indirect cost limitations do not apply, and proposals should include budgets for both annual principal investigator meetings and hosting one meeting over the four-year award period. Program contacts include Alex Vadati, Chaitanya K. Baru, Waleed Nasser, Stephen G. Boyes, Clifford Weil, and John A. Schlueter, who can all be reached via pcl-testbed@nsf.gov or by phone at the numbers listed in the solicitation. This funding opportunity supports collaborative science and engineering efforts that will contribute to the establishment of a national infrastructure for automated laboratories, enhance U.S. competitiveness, and train the next generation of researchers in data-driven experimental science.

Follow PAPPG guidelines. Highlight collaborations and sustainability strategies.