of National Science Foundation announced new funding opportunities under the TechAccess: AI-Ready America initiative and laid out plans to expand access to. A.I. We provide skills, tools, and training in every state and territory in the United States.
The program brings together multiple federal agencies to address the gap between the nation’s AI capabilities and the ability of workers, businesses, and communities to apply them in practice.
As a first step, NSF is working with partners such as the U.S. Department of Labor, the Small Business Administration, and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture to establish a network of AI-focused coordination hubs across the country.
A coordinating hub that connects local ecosystems
The initiative will fund up to 56 coordination hubs covering every state, territory, and District of Columbia in the United States. These hubs are expected to serve as regional connectors, bringing together employers, educators, and public sector organizations to support AI adoption based on local priorities.
Each hub will receive up to $1 million per year for three years, with a fourth year possible if demand continues. The model focuses on coordination rather than duplication and is structured around extending existing approaches rather than building from scratch.
Brian Stone, who serves as NSF director, positions the hub as part of a broader infrastructure strategy. He said, “America’s AI competitiveness depends on a strong research and development ecosystem combined with access to advanced scientific and technical knowledge for our current and future workforce.”
He added, “NSF AI-Ready America provides that foundation, giving workers, businesses, and communities in every state and territory the tools and knowledge to advance AI together.”
Shift focus to applied AI skills
The program targets three areas where gaps are most pronounced: workforce AI literacy, access to tools for small businesses and local governments, and practical pathways such as internships and project-based learning.
The emphasis is on application rather than awareness. This includes creating opportunities for learners and workers to use AI in real-world situations, rather than limiting their activities to training programs.
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez Delemer has framed the initiative as a workforce issue. She said, “The AI-Ready America initiative will ensure that all American workers have the skills, knowledge, and training they need to succeed in an AI-driven economy.”
She added, “Under President Trump’s bold leadership, the Department of Labor is proud to partner with NSF to advance AI readiness, enable American companies to innovate with AI, and create opportunities that benefit all Americans.”
Scope includes access to small businesses and rural areas
Along with workforce development, this initiative has a particular focus on enabling small organizations and rural communities to participate in AI technologies.
Small Business Administration Commissioner Kelly Loeffler ties the program to broader economic priorities. She said, “Winning the AI race is critical to maintaining America’s continued dominance in defense, innovation, and economic power.” He added that the SBA is working with partners to “provide training and resources to small businesses to increase efficiency and drive the next generation of prosperity.”
Access to agriculture and rural areas remains uneven. “The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture is proud to partner with NSF on this national effort to ensure that all communities, including the most rural, benefit from the power of artificial intelligence,” said Jay Hamby, director of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
He added, “By investing in tools and training for farmers and ranchers to respond on the ground, we are helping to build a future of agriculture that is more resilient, more efficient, and more accessible for all.”
NSF expects to further expand the program through additional funding rounds, including Catalyst awards to test new models and national coordinating leaders to support collaboration between hubs.
The deadline for submitting letters of intent for Coordination Hub funding is June 16th, and full proposals must be submitted by July 16th. An informational webinar is scheduled for April 14th.
