The National Science Foundation awarded the Research Foundation of the City University of New York $4,667,934 under a Cooperative Agreement on August 1, 2026, to establish and operate AI-BIOME, a cloud-programmable national laboratory for AI agent-driven discovery, design, and production of advanced biomaterials through autonomous experimentation, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
AI-BIOME will integrate AI agents, robotic cloud laboratories, and advanced characterization within a shared experimental environment developed in partnership with Brookhaven National Laboratory. The platform will enable remote design, synthesis, characterization, and refinement of bioinspired molecular materials including advanced plastics, smart medical and industrial formulations, and optical coatings for imaging, sensing, and communications. Researchers at universities, national laboratories, industry, and small businesses will access the cloud laboratory remotely, broadening participation in materials innovation across the nation. The project includes workforce development through training, modular certifications, internships, and outreach spanning high schools, trade schools, undergraduate and graduate programs.
Work is performed in New York, New York, with a period of performance from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2030. This award is made under NSF's Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships program (CFDA 47.084), which supports research and innovation addressing national, societal, and geostrategic challenges.