The U.S. National Science Foundation today announced a new request for proposals to establish a National Artificial Intelligence Research Resources Operations Center (NAIRR-OC). This is a critical first step in transitioning the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) from a successful pilot project to creating the foundation for a sustainable, coordinated national program that will advance America’s research capabilities and global leadership in AI.
Many researchers and educators lack the essential AI tools and resources to study fundamental AI questions and train students.
Launching in 2024, through a new public-private partnership, the NAIRR pilot aims to build a national infrastructure that expands access to the computing, data, modeling and training resources needed to drive AI innovation and train the next generation.
Backed by support from 14 federal agencies and 28 private and nonprofit sector partners, the NAIRR pilot has already connected more than 400 U.S. research teams to computational platforms, datasets, software and models, accelerating breakthroughs in areas ranging from agriculture and drug discovery to cybersecurity and education.
The establishment of the NAIRR-OC represents a strategic and forward-looking investment in the country’s scientific enterprise. He directly supports the efforts of the White House AI Action Planwhich highlights the need for sustainable operational capabilities for the NAIRR and broader access to AI resources for the research community.
“The solicitation of the NAIRR Operational Center marks a key milestone in transitioning the NAIRR pilot project toward creating a sustainable and scalable NAIRR program,” said Katie Antypas, director of the NSF Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with private sector and agency partners, whose contributions have been essential in demonstrating the innovation and scientific impact that comes when critical AI resources are made accessible to research and education communities across the country.”
The tender seeks proposals to establish a community hub that will lead the development of the overall framework, operational strategy and management structure needed to support the scale and growth of NAIRR. This includes the integration of advanced IT and data resources, the launch of a centralized web portal for simplified access to tools, and close collaboration with partner organizations. Through awareness and engagement, it will help develop a national AI research community.
The resulting award will establish a foundational capability to realize the transformational impact of NAIRR – unlocking American innovation in AI domestically and strengthening U.S. global leadership.
Get more information about NAIRR-OC.