Note: This page will be updated as new information is available. Please check back frequently. (most recent content update: August 25, 2023)
NSF released a new AI Institutes solicitation in August of 2023. Important updates include changes to the themes and eligibility restrictions (based on co-sponsors). A webinar will be held on September 5, 2023 (see details below under Resources). Please note that this is a Limited Submission opportunity, and Notices of Intent for all themes are due to VPDoR August 24, 2023.
National AI Research Institute Program
The 2023 update to the National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Strategic Plan is informed by visioning activities in the scientific community as well as interaction with the public, and represents a cornerstone Federal Government commitment to fostering long-term, fundamental research in AI while also delivering significantly on each of the other eight objectives in that strategy.
Solicitation NSF 23-610 expands the nationwide network of AI Research Institutes with new funding opportunities over the next two years. NSF invites proposals for institutes that have a principal focus in one of the following themes aimed at transformational advances in a range of economic sectors, and science and engineering fields:
Funding levels are typically in the range of $16-$20 million over 4-5 years ($4 million per year on average).
Submissions must have as a principal focus one of the following themes (detailed further in the Program Description)
- Theme 1: AI for Astronomical Sciences (Group 1; awards anticipated in FY 2024)
- Theme 2: AI for Discovery in Materials Research (Group 2; awards anticipated in FY 2025)
- Theme 3: Strengthening AI (Group 2; awards anticipated in FY 2025)
Each theme falls under either Group 1 or Group 2, as noted in parentheses above. Each group has its own NSF due dates and review timeline, but Stanford internal selection deadlines are the same for all themes and all groups, as detailed in the Timeline section below.
Timeline
- August 24, 2023: Required NOI due to VPDoR (for all themes, regardless of deadline)
- September 19, 2023: Internal proposal due to VPDoR Limited Submissions
- October 31, 2023: Required Group 1 preliminary proposal due to NSF
- January 12, 2024: Required Group 2 preliminary proposal due to NSF
- February 16, 2024: Group 1 full proposal due to NSF
- May 17, 2024: Group 2 full proposal due to NSF
Limited Submissions process
This is a Limited Submission funding opportunity. A university-wide internal selection process is required prior to proposal submission to NSF. No more than two preliminary proposals from Stanford as the lead institution are permitted.
Find more information on the selection process and submit internal applications through the Limited Submissions portal here.
For questions about the limited submissions process, please email [email protected].
Resources
Program information - updated for 2023/2024 cycle
- NSF Program Page
- NSF Program Solicitation
- A webinar will be held on September 5, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Pacific. Register for webinar
- Archived resources (prior solicitation)
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- NSF webinar recording, slides, and audio transcript (scroll to the bottom of the linked page) from NSF event held on November 16, 2021.
- RDO's Table of NSF 22-502 Themes and Sponsors with their corresponding timestamps can assist you in quickly locating webinar content related to specific themes.
- RDO's synopsis of key NSF AI Institutes program features and proposal requirements
- Proposal Outlines: The following outlines were provided for Stanford affiliates and were created to be in compliance with the NSF Proposal Award Policies & Procedures Guides (PAPPG) and NSF Solicitation 22-502. The links below will open as Google Documents for users authenticated through SUNet. NSF AI Institutes Preliminary Proposal Outline; NSF AI Institutes Full Proposal Outline
Stanford support for proposals
Proposal support is available through the Stanford Research Development Office, Office of STEM Outreach, and School of Engineering.
- The Stanford Research Development Office (RDO) supports faculty across Stanford on proposal development, including advising on proposal sections, writing, editing, project management, and bringing in internal and external expertise. Please contact RDO Director Kim Baeten ([email protected]) for more information.
- Kyle Cole ([email protected]), Director of Education and STEM Outreach for the Office of Community Engagement, can provide support in connecting the Stanford community with youth, schoolteachers, nonprofits, and the broader community to help increase engagement, participation, equity, and inclusion in STEM fields. School of Engineering faculty may also contact Blythe Nobleman for developing broadening participation and educational outreach plans. See details below.
- Blythe Nobleman is the Research Development Strategist & Editor in the School of Engineering. Working closely with engineering research administrators, Blythe works with SoE faculty to identify funding opportunities, develop concepts, encourage best practices in proposal writing, and to review/edit proposals. Blythe also assists with developing broadening participation and educational outreach plans. To learn more, contact: [email protected].