Ginkgo Bioworks offers its Boston autonomous lab to NSF X-Labs researchers

Ginkgo Bioworks/Ginkgo Automation and Datapoints

Ginkgo Bioworks will give researchers in the National Science Foundation's X-Labs program in-kind access to its autonomous lab in Boston, plus protein-testing services. The offer, announced by the White House science office on October 8, 2026, is meant to help independent teams test designs faster, including proteins generated by AI models. Ginkgo has not put a dollar value on it.

• The Boston lab uses robotic carts, maglev sample transport and Ginkgo's Catalyst software; remote users reach more than 70 instruments through Ginkgo Cloud Lab
• NSF X-Labs is a decade-long initiative that can invest up to $1.5 billion in independent research teams through milestone-based awards
• Not disclosed: lab capacity, lab time, how many teams can take part, and which protocols are accepted
• Unclear whether the in-kind access leads to paid contracts or sales
• Ginkgo's 2025 revenue was $170.2 million, down 25% from $227 million in 2024