Opportunity Information: Apply for 23 610
The National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Institutes opportunity is a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant program designed to build and expand a nationwide network of large-scale AI research institutes that can support long-term, fundamental advances in artificial intelligence while also translating those advances into meaningful societal and economic impact. The program is grounded in the federal government s emphasis on sustained AI investment, as reflected in the 2023 update to the National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Strategic Plan, which highlights long-term research investment as a top strategic objective. In practice, the Institutes are meant to serve as durable hubs that bring together interdisciplinary research teams, shared infrastructure, workforce and education efforts, and partnerships that accelerate progress on nationally important challenges.
A central idea behind this solicitation is that recent growth in computing power, access to massive and streaming datasets, and rapid progress in machine learning algorithms has positioned AI to reshape entire sectors, from healthcare and transportation to education and national security. NSF frames the Institutes as a cornerstone mechanism for maintaining US technical leadership by coordinating and scaling research efforts over multiple years, rather than funding isolated projects. The solicitation also notes alignment with recommendations from the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI), which calls for a bold, sustained federal push to reinforce the foundations of AI leadership through coordinated funding and institutional capacity.
This is a multi-sector program led by NSF in collaboration with several major partners, including the Simons Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Department of Defense Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD R and E), Capital One Financial Corporation, and Intel Corporation. That partnership structure signals an intent to connect fundamental research with real-world deployment considerations, such as standards, security, and industry-relevant applications, while still keeping the Institutes anchored in open, long-term scientific and engineering goals.
For this round of funding, NSF is inviting proposals for Institutes organized around specific themes, split into two groups with different anticipated start years and timelines. Group 1 awards are anticipated to start in fiscal year 2024 and focus on Theme 1, AI for Astronomical Sciences, which targets transformational AI advances that can support astronomy and related data-intensive discovery. Group 2 awards are anticipated to start in fiscal year 2025 and include Theme 2, AI for Discovery in Materials Research, aimed at accelerating materials innovation and scientific discovery through AI, and Theme 3, Strengthening AI, which is oriented toward advancing the foundations and robustness of AI itself. Each group operates with its own proposal due dates and review schedule, and applicants are expected to follow the timeline specific to the theme group they choose.
Eligibility is limited to certain US-based organizations that can support education or research missions at scale. Eligible applicants include US located non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar entities that are directly tied to research or educational activities. Also eligible are US accredited institutions of higher education, including both two-year and four-year institutions such as community colleges, submitting on behalf of their faculty. If a proposal includes funding that would flow to an international branch campus of a US institution, whether directly or through subawards or consultants, the applicant must clearly explain why work at that location is beneficial and why the activities cannot be performed at the US campus.
From the funding details provided, this is a discretionary grant opportunity under NSF with an award ceiling of 20,000,000. The opportunity number is 23-610, and it is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, with multiple CFDA program listings associated with NSF s broader research portfolios. The posting indicates an original closing date of 2024-05-17, though applicants should rely on the specific due dates tied to their chosen group and theme as described in the full program solicitation.Apply for 23 610
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Institutes" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041, 47.049, 47.050, 47.070, 47.074, 47.075, 47.076, 47.079, 47.083, 47.084.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-07-31.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $20,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Institutes (NSF) - FAQs
1) What is the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Institutes opportunity?
This is a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant program to build and expand a nationwide network of large-scale AI research institutes. The Institutes are intended to support long-term, fundamental advances in artificial intelligence and translate those advances into meaningful societal and economic impact.
2) What is the main goal of these AI Research Institutes?
The main goal is to create durable, large-scale hubs that coordinate and scale AI research efforts over multiple years. These hubs are designed to bring together interdisciplinary teams, shared infrastructure, workforce and education efforts, and partnerships to accelerate progress on nationally important challenges.
3) Why is NSF investing in AI Institutes instead of isolated research projects?
NSF frames the Institutes as a cornerstone mechanism for maintaining US technical leadership by coordinating and scaling research efforts over multiple years, rather than funding isolated projects. The solicitation emphasizes that sustained, long-term research investment is a top strategic objective.
4) What federal priorities does this opportunity align with?
The program is grounded in the federal emphasis on sustained AI investment, reflected in the 2023 update to the National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Strategic Plan, which highlights long-term research investment as a top strategic objective.
5) How does the opportunity relate to the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI)?
The solicitation notes alignment with NSCAI recommendations calling for a bold, sustained federal push to reinforce the foundations of AI leadership through coordinated funding and institutional capacity.
6) What kinds of advances is NSF expecting AI to enable through these Institutes?
The solicitation highlights that growth in computing power, access to massive and streaming datasets, and rapid progress in machine learning algorithms has positioned AI to reshape entire sectors. Examples mentioned include healthcare, transportation, education, and national security.
7) Who leads this program and who are the partners?
The program is led by NSF in collaboration with several major partners: the Simons Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Department of Defense Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E), Capital One Financial Corporation, and Intel Corporation.
8) What does the multi-sector partnership structure suggest about the program?
It signals an intent to connect fundamental research with real-world deployment considerations (such as standards, security, and industry-relevant applications) while keeping the Institutes anchored in open, long-term scientific and engineering goals.
9) What themes are available in this round of funding?
NSF is inviting proposals for Institutes organized around specific themes split into two groups:
- Theme 1: AI for Astronomical Sciences
- Theme 2: AI for Discovery in Materials Research
- Theme 3: Strengthening AI
10) What is Theme 1 (AI for Astronomical Sciences) focused on?
Theme 1 targets transformational AI advances that can support astronomy and related data-intensive discovery.
11) What is Theme 2 (AI for Discovery in Materials Research) focused on?
Theme 2 is aimed at accelerating materials innovation and scientific discovery through AI.
12) What is Theme 3 (Strengthening AI) focused on?
Theme 3 is oriented toward advancing the foundations and robustness of AI itself.
13) What are Group 1 and Group 2, and how do they differ?
The solicitation divides themes into two groups with different anticipated start years and timelines:
- Group 1: Anticipated to start in fiscal year 2024; focuses on Theme 1 (AI for Astronomical Sciences).
- Group 2: Anticipated to start in fiscal year 2025; includes Theme 2 (AI for Discovery in Materials Research) and Theme 3 (Strengthening AI).
14) Do Group 1 and Group 2 have the same due dates and review schedules?
No. Each group operates with its own proposal due dates and review schedule. Applicants are expected to follow the timeline specific to the theme group they choose.
15) What is the opportunity number for this NSF solicitation?
The opportunity number is 23-610.
16) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed?
The award ceiling listed is $20,000,000.
17) What type of grant is this?
This is described as a discretionary grant opportunity under NSF.
18) What category is this opportunity listed under?
It is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development.
19) Are there CFDA program listings associated with this opportunity?
Yes. The posting indicates there are multiple CFDA program listings associated with NSF's broader research portfolios.
20) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to certain US-based organizations that can support education or research missions at scale. Eligible applicants include:
- US-located non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar entities directly tied to research or educational activities.
- US-accredited institutions of higher education (two-year and four-year institutions, such as community colleges) submitting on behalf of their faculty.
21) Are non-academic organizations eligible?
Yes, if they are US-located, non-profit, non-academic organizations tied directly to research or educational activities (for example, independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies).
22) Are community colleges eligible?
Yes. US-accredited institutions of higher education, including two-year institutions such as community colleges, are listed as eligible when submitting on behalf of their faculty.
23) Are there special requirements if a proposal involves an international branch campus of a US institution?
Yes. If a proposal includes funding that would flow to an international branch campus of a US institution (directly or through subawards or consultants), the applicant must clearly explain why work at that location is beneficial and why the activities cannot be performed at the US campus.
24) Can funding flow to an international branch campus through subawards or consultants?
Yes, but if funding would flow to an international branch campus in any way (including subawards or consultants), the proposal must include a clear justification explaining the benefits and why the work cannot be performed at the US campus.
25) What is the posted closing date, and should applicants rely on it?
The posting indicates an original closing date of 2024-05-17. However, applicants should rely on the specific due dates tied to their chosen group and theme as described in the full program solicitation.
26) When are awards anticipated to start?
Group 1 awards are anticipated to start in fiscal year 2024, and Group 2 awards are anticipated to start in fiscal year 2025.
27) What are the Institutes expected to include as hubs (in practice)?
The solicitation describes Institutes as durable hubs that bring together interdisciplinary research teams, shared infrastructure, workforce and education efforts, and partnerships that accelerate progress on nationally important challenges.
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