The Office of Research is pleased to announce the launch of the internal competition for the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Institutes Program solicitation administered through NSF. Institute awards will be made for between $16,000,000 and $20,000,000 over four to five years. UCSC can submit up to two preliminary proposals as the lead institution.
AI Research Institutes will advance multidisciplinary, multi-stakeholder research on large-scale challenges in AI research. They will accelerate the development of transformational technologies by grounding that research in critical application sectors that can serve as motivation for foundational research advances and provide opportunities for the effective fielding of AI-powered innovation. Institutes must have as a principal focus one of the following themes:
- Theme 1: Intelligent Agents for Next-Generation Cybersecurity
- Theme 2: Neural and Cognitive Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
- Theme 3: AI for Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry
- Theme 4: AI for Decision Making
- Theme 5: Trustworthy AI
- Theme 6: AI-Augmented Learning to Expand Education Opportunities and Improve Outcomes
- TRACK A: AI-Driven Digital Platforms to Expand and Accelerate STEM Learning in PreK-12 Settings
- TRACK B: AI-Augmented Learning for Individuals with Disabilities
Detailed descriptions of each Theme can be found in the solicitation. An informational webinar will be held on November 16.
- Submissions to the internal competition are due December 1 through InfoReady.
- Preliminary proposals are due to NSF January 14, 2022.
- If selected, full proposals are due to NSF May 13, 2022.
See this summary for additional information. Please contact me or John MacMillan with any questions. If you are interested in exploring potential synergies with others who may be considering this opportunity, please contact Ned LeBlond.