Conference: nairr pilot expansion: FA2: capacity and community for research-emerging institutions with large computing programs

This federal Project Grant award of $300,000 from the National Science Foundation's Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CFDA 47.070) program supports a collaborative effort led by Northern Kentucky University, the Computing Research Association, Texas State University, and Kennesaw State University. The goal is to engage faculty at research-emerging institutions with large computing programs in a series of virtual roundtables and an in-person workshop. This initiative aims to: (1) facilitate increased AI education capacity and a sustainable community of practice; (2) establish best practices for AI education; (3) improve faculty confidence in utilizing National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) pilot resources; and (4) develop strategies for integrating AI content into undergraduate courses, particularly where computational resources are limited. The project runs from April 2025 through September 2026.

Abstract

Northern kentucky university in collaboration with the computing research association, texas state university, and kennesaw state university will engage faculty at research-emerging institutions with large computing programs in a series of virtual roundtable discussions and an in-person workshop to build a community of practice focused on increasing artificial intelligence education capacity and utilizing shared resources in the national AI research resource (nairr) pilot. As part of a broader national effort spanning different types of institutions of higher education, this initiative seeks to expand the nairr pilot community by equipping educators with the tools and knowledge needed to bring AI learning experiences into classrooms nationwide. The project has four primary goals: (1) facilitate increased instructional capacity and develop a sustainable community of practice among faculty at research-emerging institutions with large computing programs who are implementing AI courses or modules into undergraduate curricula. (2) establish a shared understanding of best practices for AI education relevant to these institutions. (3) improve faculty confidence in using nairr pilot resources for AI instruction. (4) develop strategies for integrating AI content into undergraduate courses, particularly where computational resources are limited. The virtual roundtable discussions will bring educators together in small groups to identify challenges and barriers to increasing AI education capacity and effectively utilizing nairr pilot resources. Insights gathered from these discussions will shape the agenda for an in-person workshop, where participants will further explore these challenges, opportunities, and available resources. The workshop will culminate in a publicly available report outlining best practices, example implementations, and recommendations for leveraging nairr pilot resources in AI education. By combining virtual and in-person engagement, the project fosters collaboration, enhances accessibility, and supports faculty in expanding AI education at research-emerging institutions with large computing programs. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are planned for this award.