TechAccess: AI-Ready America

Statistics Program is a grant from NSF (National Science Foundation) that funds research in statistical theory and methods, including applications across any domain of science and engineering. Administered by the Division of Mathematical Sciences, the program supports stochastic modeling, data collection and analysis, uncertainty quantification, and interpretation methods that advance scientific and engineering knowledge. Proposals are welcomed from single investigators as well as interdisciplinary team projects. The program has a December 15 deadline and accepts proposals from researchers at U.S. academic institutions. Related funding opportunities include Focused Research Groups in Mathematical Sciences, NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships, and the BIGDATA initiative for large-scale data science methods.

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.