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NSF AI Research Institutes is a grant program from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) that funds large-scale, multi-institution research institutes advancing foundational artificial intelligence research and its application across science, engineering, and society. Individual institute grants can exceed $20 million, with NSF investing over $800 million in AI-related activities in FY 2023.
Eligible applicants include universities and research institutions that can lead collaborative AI research agendas aligned with national priorities. Institutes focus on areas such as trustworthy AI, human-AI interaction, AI for the environment, healthcare AI, and AI education, with an emphasis on broadening participation and translating research into real-world impact.
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National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes Status: Waiting for new publication NSF's implementation of the revised 2 CFR NSF Financial Assistance awards (grants and cooperative agreements) made on or after October 1, 2024, will be subject to the applicable set of award conditions, dated October 1, 2024, available on the NSF website .
These terms and conditions are consistent with the revised guidance specified in the OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2024.
Important information for proposers All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in this funding opportunity and in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the proposal is being submitted. It is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets these requirements.
Submitting a proposal prior to a specified deadline does not negate this requirement.
Updates to NSF Research Security Policies On July 10, 2025, NSF issued an Important Notice providing updates to the agency's research security policies, including a research security training requirement, Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program annual certification requirement, prohibition on Confucius institutes and an updated FFDR reporting and submission timeline.
Supports the development of new AI Institutes that focus on one of the following themes: astronomical sciences, materials research and new methods for strengthening AI. Supports the development of new AI Institutes that focus on one of the following themes: astronomical sciences, materials research and new methods for strengthening AI.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has advanced tremendously and today promises personalized healthcare; enhanced national security; improved transportation; and more effective education, to name just a few benefits.
Increased computing power, the availability of large datasets and streaming data, and algorithmic advances in machine learning (ML) have made it possible for AI research and development to create new sectors of the economy and revitalize industries.
Continued advancement, enabled by sustained federal investment and channeled toward issues of national importance, holds the potential for further economic impact and quality-of-life improvements .
This program is a multisector effort led by the National Science Foundation (NSF), in partnership with the Simons Foundation (SF), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Department of Defense (DOD) Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD (R&E)), Capital One Financial Corporation (Capital One), and Intel Corporation (Intel).
Group 1 - Awards anticipated in FY 2024: Theme 1: AI for Astronomical Sciences Group 2 - Awards anticipated in FY 2025: Theme 2: AI for Discovery in Materials Research Theme 3: Strengthening AI For the institute themes listed in Group 1, NSF anticipates awards to start in FY 2024; and for themes listed in Group 2, NSF anticipates awards to start in FY 2025.
Each group has a specific set of due dates and review timeline pertaining only to that group. More detail is found under Due Dates and in the timeline provided in the Program Description. For general inquiries regarding this program (not theme specific) please email the program leads at: AIInstitutesProgram@nsf.
gov Program Leads (Reachable at the above address) For inquiries related to the responsiveness of your ideas for the Themes listed in this solicitation, please contact the program officers listed below. You are advised to address theme-specific questions to all program contacts listed for that theme Theme 1: AI for Astronomical Sciences Andreas Berlind, MPS/AST, aberlind@nsf. gov Gioia Rau, MPS/AST, grau@nsf.
gov Vladimir Pavlovic , CISE/IIS, vpavlovi@nsf. gov Elizabeth Roy, Simons Foundation, telephone: (212) 524-6966, email: eroy@simonsfoundation. org Theme 2: AI for Discovery in Materials Research Serdar Ogut, MPS/DMR, sogut@nsf.
gov Sylvia Spengler, CISE/IIS, sspengle@nsf. gov Theme 3: Strengthening AI Hector Munoz Avila, CISE/IIS, hmunoz@nsf. gov Raj Acharya, CISE/IIS, racharya@nsf.
gov Tatiana D. Korelsky, CISE/IIS, tkorelsk@nsf. gov Eleni Miltsakaki , CISE/IIS, emiltsak@nsf.
gov Juan Wachs, CISE/IIS, jwachs@nsf. gov AI Research Institutes Program Team AIInstitutesProgram@nsf.
gov June 2, 2025 - NSF at the AI+ Expo October 29, 2024 - ExpandAI Program Webinar (October 2024) September 5, 2023 - AI Institutes Webinar November 16, 2021 - National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Institutes… September 25, 2020 - National AI Research Institute in Dynamic Systems Webinar Additional program resources Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Institutes Program (NSF 22-502) AI Institutes Webinar ,September 5th ,2023 , 1:30 pm 3:00 pm -- Register here AI Institutes Webinar ,September 5th ,2023 , 1:30 pm 3:00 pm -- Webinar Recording Awards made through this program Browse projects funded by this program Map of recent awards made through this program Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE)
Key questions and narrative sections extracted from the solicitation.
Project Summary (1 page): overview of project vision and goals
Project Description Section 3.a: Overview and Rationale
Project Description Section 3.b: Research Plan — foundational AI objectives, use-inspired integration, five-year timeline, partner roles
Project Description Section 3.c.1: Education and workforce development broader impacts
Project Description Section 3.c.2: Broadening participation plans with evidence-based strategies
Project Description Section 3.c.3: Collaboration and knowledge transfer
Project Description Section 3.d: Key Personnel, Management, and Integration Plan — organizational structure, management team roles, external advisory board plan
Scoring criteria used to review proposals for this grant.
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Universities, research institutions, and potentially other organizations depending on the specific institute or program. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Over $800 million in AI-related activities in FY2023 (total program funding, individual awards vary, e.g., $100M investment, $20M grant) Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
Engineering of Biomedical Systems (EBMS) Program is sponsored by U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). The EBMS program supports fundamental and transformative research at the interface of engineering and biomedical sciences to solve biomedical problems. Projects should focus on high-impact, transformative methods and technologies, including the development of validated models (living or computational) of normal and pathological tissues and organ systems, and advanced biomanufacturing of three-dimensional tissues and organs.
Expanding K-12 Resources For AI Education is sponsored by U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). This Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) invites supplemental funding proposals from existing NSF awardees with K-12 AI or computer science education experience. The aim is to refine, scale, evaluate, and/or implement established K-12 activities related to AI education. Proposed efforts should align with themes such as teacher professional development, curricula and instructional materials, and technology and tools for AI education.
National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) Pilot is sponsored by U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). The NAIRR Pilot is a public-private initiative connecting U.S. researchers and educators to advanced computational and data platforms, datasets, software, AI models, and technological expertise to accelerate AI-driven discovery and innovation. While broad in scope, research into trustworthy AI, human-AI interaction, and the societal implications of AI (including in sectors like hospitality and tourism) would be relevant.