NSF AI-Ready America (TechAccess)

AI-Ready America Coordination Hubs — Round 1

Offers one AI-ready coordination hub support path for each United States. state and territory.

The NSF AI-Ready America Coordination Hubs program (solicitation NSF 26-508) funds one statewide coordination hub per U.S. state, Washington D.C., or U.S. territory to advance AI literacy, AI workforce development, and AI adoption across all sectors of society. The initiative is designed to ensure that all Americans — across education, business, government, and public services — can understand, apply, and create with artificial intelligence. Round 1 targets 10 hubs; subsequent rounds (Round 2, Round 3) will expand coverage until all 56 eligible jurisdictions are served.

Each Coordination Hub receives up to $1,000,000 per year for three years, with the possibility of an optional fourth year — a total potential award of up to $4,000,000 per hub. One jurisdiction competes for a separate National Coordination Lead award of up to $3,000,000 per year for five years to coordinate across all hubs nationally. Eligible applicants are nonprofits and universities; for-profit organizations are not eligible. A Letter of Intent is due June 16, 2026, and the full Round 1 proposal is due July 16, 2026. Round 2 proposals are due January 15, 2027, and Round 3 proposals are due July 1, 2027.

Because only one hub is funded per jurisdiction, applicants are directly competing to become the single designated AI-readiness hub for their state or territory. Missing the Letter of Intent deadline is likely disqualifying for Round 1. The program is administered through NSF TIP and can be reached at ai-ready@nsf.gov.