About the series
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) powers AI for America by fostering the next generation of breakthroughs, translating research to impact, empowering AI innovation through research infrastructure, and building a world-class workforce for the AI era.
NSF invests around $700 million annually in AI research, education and infrastructure initiatives across all 50 states. The NSF booth (#927) in the Exhibit Hall at the AI+ Expo features researchers from three NSF programs that support the development and translation of breakthrough AI technology.
National AI Research Institutes
Launched in 2019, the NSF-led National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes program consists of 27 AI institutes that connect over 500 funded and collaborative institutions across the U.S. and around the world.
The AI institutes focus on different aspects of AI research, including but not limited to:
- AI and advanced cybersecurity
- Human-AI teaming
- AI-augmented learning
- Foundations of machine learning
- Agriculture and food systems
Learn more by visiting the AI Institutes Virtual Organization
National AI Research Institutes: Interactive Map (PDF, 8.8 MB)
AI Institutes Booklet (PDF, 14.86 MB)
America’s Seed Fund, Powered by NSF
America’s Seed Fund, powered by NSF, funds about 400 startups annually, transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial and societal impact. Startups working across almost all areas of science and technology, including AI systems and AI-based hardware, can receive up to approximately $2 million to support research and development (R&D), helping de-risk technology for commercial success. Since 1977, America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF (also known as the NSF Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer program) has supported thousands of startups and small businesses to build products and services.
NSF Engines
The NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) program aims to cultivate multiple flourishing regional innovation ecosystems across the U.S., spurring economic growth in regions that have not fully participated in the technology boom of the past few decades.
The program seeks to catalyze and foster innovation ecosystems across the United States to:
- Advance critical technologies like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, advanced wireless and biotechnology
- Address pressing national and societal challenges
- Cultivate partnerships across industry, academia, government, nonprofits, civil society and communities of practice
- Promote and stimulate economic growth and job creation
- Spur regional innovation and talent
Each NSF Engine can receive up to $160 million to support the development of regional coalitions of researchers, institutions and companies to conduct research and development.
