The Sloan Foundation's exploratory grantmaking in Technology supports the development and adoption of AI tools that accelerate scientific research and automate aspects of the scientific process. Funded scope includes foundation models for science (chemistry, biology, materials, physics), AI lab automation and self-driving laboratories, AI-driven literature review and synthesis tools, machine learning for experimental design, scientific reasoning and hypothesis generation in LLMs, and infrastructure for open scientific AI. The exploratory program identifies emerging sectors, tools, and methods with high potential that may not yet attract mainstream funding, prioritizing interdisciplinary risk-taking work.

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation's Exploratory Grantmaking in Technology program, with a dedicated AI in Science track, supports the development and adoption of AI tools that accelerate scientific research and automate aspects of the scientific process. Funded scope includes foundation models for science (chemistry, biology, materials, physics), AI lab automation and self-driving laboratories, AI-driven literature review and synthesis tools, machine learning for experimental design, scientific reasoning and hypothesis generation in LLMs, infrastructure for open scientific AI, reproducibility and transparency of machine learning in research, and the philosophy of science applied to ML. Rolling letters of inquiry are accepted year-round with a deadline of December 31, 2026 for the current cycle. Letters of inquiry are reviewed quarterly. Sloan is particularly interested in open-science orientation and replicable AI infrastructure for scientific discovery. Strong fit for U.S. universities, research institutes, and nonprofits building open foundation models for science, autonomous lab software, AI-driven scientific reasoning, or open scientific AI benchmarks.

NVIDIA Graduate Fellowship Program is a grant from NVIDIA providing up to $60,000 per award to PhD students conducting research that advances accelerated computing and its applications. Now in its 25th year, the program invites nominations from doctoral students pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous vehicles, and related fields. Recipients receive not only research funding but also access to NVIDIA technology, products, and engineering expertise, along with a mandatory in-person summer internship. Students are nominated by their faculty advisors and selected based on academic achievement and research area alignment.

CalSEED Concept Award is a grant from the California Energy Commission that provides $150,000 in funding to early-stage clean energy innovators in California. The program targets individuals, businesses, and nonprofits developing hardware, software, or integrated solutions at Technology Readiness Levels 2-4. Eligible technology areas rotate each cycle and have included battery recycling and reuse, long-duration energy storage, medium- and heavy-duty vehicle electrification, industrial electrification, and advanced EV charging. Applicants must be located in California, have under $1 million in private funding, and propose innovations that benefit California ratepayers. Concept Award winners also receive professional development resources and access to accelerator programs, and may compete for a subsequent $450,000 Prototype Award.

NIST SBIR Phase I - Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics is sponsored by National Institute of Standards and Technology. NIST SBIR Phase I - Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics is a grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that funds small businesses with innovative research and technology ideas in advanced manufacturing and robotics.