TechAccess: AI-Ready America
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- 26-508
- Agency
-
National Science Foundation
- Applications due
- Award size
- $3,000,000 to $4,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Science and Technology and other Research and Development
- Eligible applicants
-
- Unrestricted
- Points of contact
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Science Foundation is soliciting applications for TechAccess: AI-Ready America Coordination Hubs, a national-scale initiative to accelerate artificial intelligence readiness and adoption across the United States, with applications due July 16, 2026. The funding opportunity focuses exclusively on State/Territory Coordination Hubs—one in each state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories—and is restricted to Coordination Hub awards; the National Coordination Lead will be funded separately through an Other Transaction Agreement, and AI-Ready Catalyst Award Competitions will be announced through future NSF-approved mechanisms.
Applicant types are unrestricted. Coordination Hubs must connect partners, strengthen planning and deployment, and rapidly scale approaches to AI readiness across their respective states or territories. The program reaches beyond K-16 education to include businesses, public-serving organizations, and individuals, with emphasis on practical implementation through hands-on assistance and workforce upskilling including internships, project-based work, and apprenticeships.
The initiative operates under multiple CFDA numbers reflecting its interdisciplinary scope: Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CFDA 47.070), STEM Education (CFDA 47.076), and NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (CFDA 47.084). The source does not specify award ceilings, award floors, expected number of awards, period of performance, place of performance beyond the state/territory scope, evaluation criteria, or weighting. The funding opportunity was posted March 25, 2026.
Synopsis
TechAccess: AI‑Ready America is a national-scale initiative to accelerate Artificial Intelligence (AI) readiness and adoption across the U.S. by strengthening coordination, leveraging partnerships and resources, filling gaps, and scaling what works-so local and state priorities can lead in shaping an AI-driven economy that benefits all Americans. Unlike initiatives centered around K-16 education, AI‑Ready America additionally reaches businesses, public-serving organizations, and individuals, among others, expanding access to AI knowledge, tools, and resources. The program also emphasizes practical implementation through hands‑on assistance and workforce upskilling, including experiential learning such as internships, project‑based work, and apprenticeships, to ensure stakeholders can effectively apply and innovate with AI. The program supports: (1) State/Territory Coordination Hubs (Coordination Hubs) - one inevery state, the District of Columbia (DC), or territory inthe United States - connecting partners, strengthening planning and deployment, and rapidly scaling approaches; (2) A National Coordination Lead (National Lead) - facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing among Coordination Hubs, coordinating priority economic sectors, and informing national AI strategies; and (3) AI-Ready Catalyst Award Competitions - a series of topic-driven competitions issued over the course of the program to pilot and scale innovative approaches that address critical national AI readiness needs. This funding opportunity focuses on Coordination Hubs. The National Lead will be funded as an Other Transaction (OT) offered through an Other Transaction Agreement Solutions Offering.AI-Ready Catalyst Award Competitions will be announced through an NSF-approved mechanism, with proposals submitted according to the instructions provided at the time of announcement.
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