Test Bed: Toward a Network of Programmable Cloud Laboratories

The U.S. National Science Foundation is seeking proposals for the Test Bed: Toward a Network of Programmable Cloud Laboratories program. This program aims to establish and facilitate the operation of distributed autonomous laboratory facilities that combine technological and human capacity to enable integration, testing, evaluation, validation, and translation of cutting-edge technology solutions in automated science and engineering. The program will support the development of automated laboratory methods, including self-driving autonomous experiment workflows, and will facilitate access to advanced scientific equipment, accelerate translation and scaling of basic research into industry applications, and enhance reproducibility and the exchange of experimental data. Key aspects of this opportunity include: • Autonomous experimentation and programmable cloud laboratories • Automated laboratory methods and self-driving autonomous experiment workflows • Access to advanced scientific equipment and acceleration of translation and scaling of basic research into industry applications • Enhancement of reproducibility and exchange of experimental data • Support for training the next generation of scientists and engineers in state-of-the-art methodologies • Collaboration across institutions, including R2 Universities, PUI, and two-year institutions.