NSF AI Education Act of 2026

Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships: Students can receive merit- or need-based scholarships to cover tuition, fees, and stipends for studies in artificial intelligence, quantum hybrid computing, agriculture, and advanced manufacturing (Section 3 and Section 4).

Priority for Underserved Groups: Students attending rural-located institutions, rural-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges or Universities, and minority-serving institutions may receive preference for scholarships related to AI and agriculture (Section 3 and Section 4).

Professional Development: Professionals can access merit-based fellowships to gain skills in AI-related subjects, including prompt engineering and quantum hybrid computing (Section 5).

Support for Agriculture: Land-grant colleges and universities can receive grants for research, development, and the deployment of AI tools specifically for agricultural operations and decision-making (Section 6).

Quantum Industry Opportunities: Students can access fellowships and scholarships intended to increase post-graduation employment opportunities in the quantum industry (Section 7).

Increased Awareness: A nationwide outreach campaign will target students, teachers, and school leaders to increase awareness of AI and quantum education opportunities (Section 8).

Community College Advancement: The establishment of "Centers of AI Excellence" aims to provide hands-on research opportunities and identify pathways to employment for students (Section 9).

Improved K-12 Learning: Research awards are available to promote teaching models and materials for elementary and secondary school students, with a focus on low-income, rural, or Tribal populations (Section 10).

Restrictions Based on Civil Rights Violations: Institutions, nonprofit research organizations, or governmental research organizations may be prohibited from receiving any funds or participating in programs if they have been found in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 due to discrimination based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics on or after January 1, 2020 (Section 18).

Gift Acceptance Restrictions: The National Science Foundation must establish strict criteria for accepting contributions to ensure they do not compromise integrity, which includes a prohibition on receiving funding from certain foreign entities or countries of concern (Section 14).