The U.S. National Science Foundation announced a new funding opportunity that will invest up to $100 million to create a network of “programmable cloud laboratories” nationwide. These AI-enabled facilities will allow researchers to remotely access cutting-edge technology to automate scientific discovery and innovation, directly implementing a priority from the White House AI Action Plan.
What you should know: The NSF PCL Test Bed initiative will establish artificial intelligence-enabled laboratories that can be remotely accessed to run custom, user-programmed AI workflows.
- The program will be led by NSF’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP) and is subject to future appropriations.
- Initial focus areas include biotechnology and materials science, fields well-positioned to benefit from the programmable cloud laboratory model.
- These facilities will integrate AI throughout every stage of lab experiments—from pre-experiment design to post-experiment analysis.
The big picture: This initiative builds on NSF’s legacy of transformative investments that have shaped modern technology infrastructure.
- “The idea of a national network of programmable cloud laboratories builds on NSF’s longstanding legacy of transformative investments — such as NSFNET decades ago — that paved the way for the modern internet,” said Erwin Gianchandani, NSF assistant director for TIP.
- The network represents a crucial step toward addressing the growing need to generate and interpret large volumes of high-quality experimental data across laboratory sciences.
How it works: AI will be integrated throughout the entire experimental process to improve accuracy, efficiency, and overall impact.
- Pre-experiment: AI will help design optimal setups and predict likely outcomes, reducing trial-and-error while saving time and resources.
- During experiments: AI will track real-time data through sensors and imaging tools, automatically control conditions, and make real-time adjustments to maintain accuracy or respond to anomalies.
- Post-experiment: Researchers can leverage AI to plan next steps and accelerate analysis and visualization of data.
Funding details: NSF TIP anticipates making up to six awards to eligible institutions across different sectors.
- Each award will provide up to $5 million per year for four years.
- Eligible recipients include institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit organizations.
- The initiative will also invest in education and training by providing access to advanced laboratories in classroom settings.
Competitive landscape: PCL joins several other NSF initiatives designed to create safe testing environments for breakthrough technologies.
- In summer 2024, NSF announced inaugural awards for the National Quantum Virtual Laboratory and Biofoundries initiatives.
- NSF also launched an Artificial Intelligence-Ready Test Beds initiative to advance AI technologies.
- These programs collectively support NSF’s vision of developing multiple test platforms where researchers can refine groundbreaking technologies in real-world settings.
What they’re saying: Leadership emphasizes the transformative potential of automated science infrastructure.
- “The PCL initiative will transform how U.S. researchers conduct scientific experiments. It will accelerate scientific progress by advancing AI-enabled technologies that form the backbone of the automated science revolution,” Gianchandani added.
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