Rhode island students excel through AI (rise-AI)

The Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education awarded $9,217,122.20 to the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on August 1, 2026, through the Education Innovation and Research (CFDA 84.411) grant program. The award supports the Rhode Island Students Excel Through AI (RISE-AI) initiative, a field-initiated innovation designed to improve student achievement and attainment for high-need students through artificial intelligence applications in K-12 education. Performance runs through July 31, 2031, with work conducted in Providence, Rhode Island.

The Education Innovation and Research program supports creation, development, implementation, replication, and scaling of evidence-based innovations with rigorous independent evaluation. The program applies a tiered-evidence framework, with federal investment size tied to evidence base for funded interventions. Grantees must provide matching funds equal to ten percent of the grant award from federal, state, local, or private sources, though the Secretary may waive this requirement under certain circumstances.

The Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education serves as the ultimate recipient and prime administrator of the award within the broader State of Rhode Island. The agency distributes federal education resources to local educational agencies, school districts, charter schools, and community organizations across the state and administers substantial federal grant portfolio including Title I Part A, special education, child nutrition, and mental health initiatives statewide.