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Advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a grant program from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that funds research and development work aligned with NIST's AI measurement science mission. NIST promotes trust, safety, and innovation in AI design, development, and governance through a risk-based approach grounded in the AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF).
Eligible applicants include small businesses and research organizations in the U.S. working on AI standards, benchmarks, evaluations, and tools. NIST engages collaboratively with industry, academia, and federal agencies to develop voluntary AI technical standards and advance responsible AI use across government.
Funding amounts vary based on project scope and program priorities, which are shaped by Congressional mandates, Executive Orders, and input from the broader AI community.
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Artificial intelligence | NIST https://www. nist. gov/artificial-intelligence NIST promotes innovation and cultivates trust in the design, development, use and governance of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and systems in ways that enhance economic security, competitiveness, and quality of life.
NIST advances a risk-based approach to maximize the benefits of AI while minimizing its potential negative consequences. NIST efforts focus on fundamental research to improve AI measurement science, standards, and related tools — including benchmarks and evaluations. NIST has a nonregulatory measurement science mission that encourages engagement with industry and others who voluntarily adopt its guidance.
Under the White House Winning the Race: America’s AI Action Plan released on July 23, 2025, NIST is named in a large number of recommended policy actions. NIST recently launched its AI Standards “Zero Drafts” Pilot Project to accelerate AI innovation by developing AI standards more quickly while encouraging openness and collaboration. Input is encouraged.
Conducts fundamental research, emphasizing measurements and risk management: NIST’s AI portfolio includes fundamental research to build the scientific foundation for AI measurements, evaluations, standards, and guidelines — including software, hardware, human interaction and teaming, and all relevant intersections and interfaces.
Enables effective use of AI across government agencies: NIST develops guidelines, tools, and benchmarks that support responsible use of AI. This includes operationalizing the AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF) and advancing use-inspired AI that bolsters innovations across NIST's research portfolio.
Lays the foundation for risk-based AI governance that enables innovation: NIST's AI work is anchored in the AI RMF , a guide to managing AI-associated risks to individuals, organizations and society. A suite of guidelines is hosted by the NIST AI Resource Center .
Creates reliable, interoperable, and widely accepted methods to measure and evaluate AI: NIST develops tests for and runs AI-related evaluations , like those carried out by NIST GenAI . Promotes development of voluntary AI technical standards: NIST leads and participates in the development of technical standards , including international standards, that promote innovation and public trust in systems that use AI.
In addition, NIST serves as the federal government's AI standards coordinator. Contributes to national and international discussions on AI governance: NIST lends its scientific and technical expertise as a neutral convener of organizations with disparate views about AI matters, and participates actively in national and global discussions about AI. Experience: 120+ years of experience in research, development and standards.
That includes widely recognized work advancing measurements, tools, standards and test beds that underlie trustworthy AI technologies. Expertise: NIST draws upon a highly specialized workforce across many scientific and technical domains. Collaborative approach: NIST works closely with organizations across the U.S. and globally through proactive engagements from start to finish.
Partnerships are key. NIST’s work is driven by Congressional mandates, Presidential Executive Orders and federal policies, and the input and needs expressed by U.S. industry, the global research community, other federal agencies, and the broader AI community — as well as by NIST’s experience and its own capabilities.
The agency's efforts are carried out across the NIST laboratories and programs, working closely with the broader AI community.
NIST Expands AI Consortium’s Scope, Calls for New Members CAISI Evaluation of DeepSeek V4 Pro Announcement: CAISI signs CRADA with OpenMined to Enable Secure AI Evaluations Psychology of Interpretable and Explainable AI AI in the Doctor’s Office: How Standards Can Support Trustworthiness Robots and AI Are Working Together to Bring You Better Medicines, Shampoo and More From Trash to Cash: How AI and Machine Learning Can Help Make Recycling Less Expensive for Local Governments View artificial intelligence publications View artificial intelligence research projects View artificial intelligence patents View upcoming artificial intelligence events
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Small businesses in the U. S. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
Advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) is funded by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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