Date Open: 
10/08/2021
Sponsor: 
National Science Foundation
ORD Notice of Intent Deadline: 
09/15/2023
Agency Deadline: 
02/16/2024
Limit per Institution: 
2
Important Notes: 
Two different deadlines are included in this competition.
Source: 
external

National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Institutes 
 

This program solicitation expands the nationwide network of AI Research Institutes with new funding opportunities over the next two years. In this round, the program 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:

  • Group 1 - Awards anticipated in FY 2024:
    • Theme 1: AI for Astronomical Sciences
       
  • Group 2 - Awards anticipated in FY 2025:
    • Theme 2: AI for Discovery in Materials Research
    • Theme 3: Strengthening AI
Limited Submission - Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 2
  • An organization may submit no more than two preliminary proposals to this solicitation as lead institution. This limit is solicitation-wide and applies across the groups and themes. An organization may submit up to two full proposals that correspond to preliminary proposals reviewed under this solicitation. In the event that an organization exceeds these limits, preliminary proposals will be accepted based on earliest date and time of preliminary proposal submission, i.e., the first two preliminary proposals will be accepted, and the remainder will be returned without review. A full proposal that does not correspond to a preliminary proposal reviewed in this program will be returned without review.  THIS LIMITED SUBMISSION COMPETITION WILL BE TO SELECT TWO TEAMS TOTAL OVER BOTH COMBINED DEADLINES.

Research Office Internal Letter of Intent Deadline:  September 15, 2023 (for both preliminary proposal deadlines)

Agency Preliminary Proposal Due Date (s):  October 31, 2023 (Group 1 Topics) / January 12, 2024 (Group 2 Topics)

Full Proposal Deadline Date (s): February 16, 2024 (Group 1 Topics) / May 17, 2024 (Group 2 Topics)

Guidance for the preparation of notice of intent to the Research Office: 

INFOREADY FORM: Prepare the following information to enter in this InfoReady form:

  • PI name, title, and contact information
  • Descriptive Proposal Title
  • Project Summary: 3 or 4 sentences or bullet points that provide an overview of the objective(s) of your proposed project, how you plan to do it, and the expected outcome.
  • Team: 5 or 6 sentences or bullet points that highlight team expertise as it relates to the project.
  • Budget: Example: The total cost of the project is anticipated to be $ X, with $ Y being requested from the Agency. Agency funds will be used for: $ A for personnel; $ B for operations, and $ C for broader impacts/subcontracts etc.
  • Submission history: Is this a resubmission?
  • Optional - Suggest one or two names to serve on the internal review committee

 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION (2-3 pages) - please use an 11 point or higher font with one-inch margins and prepare to upload in Infoready as a pdf

Problem statement: Clear and concise statement of:

  • Theme alignment:  Describe how your project aligns with a theme identified in the solicitation.

  • Advance foundational AI: How will the proposed Institute contribute new knowledge or methods toward understanding of the mechanisms underlying thought and intelligent behavior and their implementation in machines?

  • Conduct use-inspired research: How will the proposed Institute leverage the use-inspired research context to both advance AI and drive innovations in related sectors of science and engineering, segments of the economy, or societal needs?

  • Strategic impact: What is the potential for the Institute to make a lasting strategic impact beyond its research outcomes? Specifically,
    • How will the proposed Institute actively nurture and grow the next generation of talent?
    • To what extent is the proposed Institute activity comprised of a multidisciplinary group of scientists, engineers, and educators appropriate to the project?
    • How well does the proposed Institute leverage multiple organizations to create significant new research capabilities in new centers of AI leadership and create a network for broadening participation from underrepresented groups and diverse institutions?
    • How well does the proposal exhibit plans to operate as a nexus point for collaborative efforts to engage externally and add to a diverse Institute that is more than just the sum of the parts?
  • Abbreviated CV or biographical sketch of the principal investigator – separate page (not included in page limit)

Notes:  First time InfoReady users will need to create an account following the directions on the InfoReady Home page for Oregon State University users at first use and then will have SSO login.  

*InfoReady does not save automatically, so data must be saved while applications are in process.

Problems with the InfoReady platform - or questions.  Email  research.development@oregonstate.edu