Project Grant 2551964

The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa a $214,246 Project Grant under the Computer and Information Science and Engineering program (CFDA 47.070) on October 1, 2026, for a collaborative research initiative focused on enhancing undergraduate computing education through curriculum-integrated artificial intelligence security and privacy research experiences. The project runs through September 30, 2029, and will develop flexible educational modules—including labs, tutorials, assignments, and research activities—across computer vision, speech and audio, and network systems that address vulnerabilities throughout the AI lifecycle. These instructional materials will be designed for seamless integration into existing undergraduate computing courses across partner institutions and aligned with the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Cybersecurity Workforce Framework to ensure students develop career-relevant competencies in cybersecurity and AI risk management.

In addition to curriculum development, the project will conduct pedagogical research on educational approaches that embed research into coursework, including project-based and competition-based learning models, and evaluate their effects on student learning outcomes, professional skill development, and career readiness. By creating reusable, institutionally transferable learning modules and assessing evidence-based teaching strategies, the initiative aims to build a workforce capable of advancing AI innovation while safeguarding its deployment through secure, reliable, and responsible practices.