US HB7158

NSF Director shall make competitive, merit-reviewed awards to historically Black colleges and universities, minority-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and institutions outside the top 100 in federal R&D expenditures to broaden participation in AI research, education, and workforce development

Funds may be used for developing AI research programs, faculty recruitment, bridge programs for graduate school preparation, access to computing resources and data facilities, and workshops to broaden workforce participation

Consortia receiving awards may partner with other higher education institutions, nonprofits, federal agencies, state/local/tribal governments, private sector entities, and existing AI research institutes established under the National AI Initiative Act

NSF must conduct outreach to eligible institutions and engage participants from all U.S. regions, especially individuals from underserved communities and groups historically underrepresented in STEM

Award considerations include support for students from diverse backgrounds (including first-generation undergraduates), geographic diversity, and relative resource constraints of applicant institutions