National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes Accelerating Research, Transforming Society, and Growing the American Workforce – $4,000,000 – due May 13, 2022

Sponsored by National Science Foundation, United States Department of Agriculture, United States Department of Defense, United States Department of Education, United States Department of Homeland Security, and IBM

Eligibility:             Public, Private

Award(s):             Grants of $4 million are awarded in the first year, with potential of $16 million to $20 million over four to five years of funding.

Deadline(s):         Preliminary proposals are due January 14, 2022. Full proposals are due May 13, 2022.

Focus:   Academic/Early Career Research, Career and College Readiness, Career and Technical Ed (CTE), Community Involvement, Engineering, Equity and Diversity, Museums, Professional Development, Technology Education/Computer Science, Technology Equipment/Devices, Technology Infrastructure/Privacy/Security, Underserved Populations/At Risk

Grade Level(s):   Higher Ed

Content Area(s):               Mathematics, Science

State(s):               National

Description:        The National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Institutes program supports a nationwide network of educators, engineers, and scientists to pursue multidisciplinary, multistakeholder, and large-scale transformational AI research to create significant new capabilities in critical economic, engineering, and science sectors. Proposals are accepted to implement complex, innovative, and multifaceted institutes that engage diverse institutions across geographic regions to integrate research, education, and knowledge transfer in AI. There is an expectation to broaden participation among the full range of groups currently underrepresented in science and engineering, including Alaska Natives, Blacks and African Americans, Hispanics, Latinos, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, and persons with disabilities.

Proposals are accepted in the following high-priority themes:

• AI augmented learning to expand education opportunities and improve outcomes.

• AI for climate smart agriculture and forestry.

• AI for decision-making.

• Intelligent agents for next-generation cybersecurity.

• Neural and cognitive foundations of AI.

• Trustworthy AI.

The scope of work includes the following educational components:

• Incorporate new and innovative education and development tailored toward undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Offer broad, deep, and diverse experiences to actively build the next generation of the AI workforce.

• Include community colleges, skilled technical workforce training, and other opportunities to advance knowledge and understanding of AI, including public understanding of AI.

• Deploy advanced learning technologies, cross-disciplinary and collaborative research, industry partnerships, innovative pedagogy and instructional materials, new career pathways, and project-driven training.

Eligible applicants are US two- and four-year accredited institutions of higher education, including community colleges, acting on behalf of their faculty members; and nonprofit, nonacademic organizations, such as independent museums, observatories, professional societies, research laboratories, and similar US organizations associated with education or research activities. Additional eligibility criteria, National Science Foundation program officer contacts, and other government agency contacts within each institute theme are outlined in the solicitation. Preliminary proposals are required prior to submitting a full proposal. Cost sharing and matching funds are not required. Preliminary and full proposals must be submitted online.

Contact:              AI Research Institutes Program Team

National Science Foundation

2415 Eisenhower Ave.

Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone: 703.292.5111

Email: AIInstitutesProgram@nsf.gov

Website:              https://beta.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/national-artificial-intelligence-research-institutes