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.
Response Date	Jul 16, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT
Posting Date	Mar 25, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT
Archive Date	Aug 15, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT
Award Ceiling	4,000,000
Award Floor	3,000,000
Cost Sharing	No

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants	Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"
Additional Info on Eligibility:	N/a

Additional Information

Agency Name	U.S. National Science Foundation
Link to Additional Information:	NSF Publication 26-508
Grantor Contact Information:	If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact: GrantSolutions Help Desk Phone: 703-292-4203

CFDA Program(s)

• 17.280: WIOA Dislocated Worker National Reserve Demonstration Grants
• 47.070: Computer and Information Science and Engineering
• 47.076: STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources)
• 47.084: NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships