The National Science Foundation has announced two new dear colleague letters (DCL) and one program solicitation to implement “Advances in Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth,” a key element of the Trump administration's executive order. The new opportunities will take critical steps to expand K-12 AI education resources, strengthen teacher training, expand AI tools and services, and improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teaching and learning.
“For decades, NSF has invested in research projects designed to transform STEM teaching and learning to meet new needs like AI. Integrating AI into an education system will help both young and adult learners prepare them to contribute to an AI-driven society.” “With these new funding mechanisms, NSF will quickly track efforts to expand early exposure to AI, scale AI curriculum, services that support the use of AI in education, and to promote teacher professional development and improve knowledge sharing in AI education to maintain national leadership in innovation.”
Dear colleague's letter
Expanding AI Education DCL's K-12 resources It seeks to build on the broad investments of NSF in basic research, technology transitions and education related to the science and application of AI. Existing recipients with experience in K-12 AI or computer science education are invited to submit supplemental funding proposals to improve, expand and/or implement established K-12 AI-related activities. The proposal should be about specific K-12 education efforts addressing the use of technology in age-appropriate AI education, literacy, and/or AI education.
Expanding opportunities for AI careers and skilled technological workforce to support high school students' DCLs By increasing early access to high-quality AI learning opportunities for American high school students, it seeks to strengthen the American AI workforce and advance the pipeline of education and innovation. This includes AI courses, certifications, or dual enrollment programs focusing on AI and workforce development for high school students.
Invited
NSF STEM K-12 Program It supports innovative, interdisciplinary research that explores ways to utilize AI and other emerging technologies to research and enhance STEM teaching and learning. The program is looking for projects that will generate new tools and frameworks, harness exemplary formal and informal learning, and unlock new paths of scientific research and discovery in STEM education. This broad funding opportunity focuses on advances in research and development that are translated into STEM classroom practices.
In support of priorities detailed in the Executive Order, NSF is taking steps to integrate AI as a priority area within existing fellowship and service program scholarships.
