NSF debuts 3 new funding programs for K-12 AI education

The U.S. National Science Foundation has announced three new funding opportunities designed to expand AI education in K-12 schools and strengthen America’s STEM workforce pipeline. These initiatives directly implement key elements of the Trump administration’s executive order “Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth,” marking a significant federal investment in preparing students for an AI-driven economy.

What you should know: NSF is launching two Dear Colleague Letters and one program solicitation to fast-track AI education integration across American schools.

• The Expanding K-12 Resources for AI Education DCL invites existing NSF awardees with K-12 AI or computer science education experience to submit supplemental funding proposals for age-appropriate AI education activities.
• The Expanding AI Career and Skilled Technical Workforce Opportunities DCL targets high school students specifically, supporting AI courses, certification programs, and dual enrollment opportunities focused on workforce development.
• The NSF STEM K-12 program solicitation will fund multidisciplinary research exploring how AI and emerging technologies can enhance STEM teaching and learning through new tools and frameworks.

Why this matters: These funding mechanisms represent a coordinated federal effort to address the growing skills gap in AI-related careers while ensuring American students gain early exposure to artificial intelligence concepts.

• NSF is positioning AI as a priority area within existing fellowship and scholarship programs, signaling long-term commitment to AI workforce development.
• The initiatives span multiple NSF directorates, including Computer and Information Science, Engineering, STEM Education, and Technology Innovation and Partnerships.

What they’re saying: “For decades, NSF has invested in research projects designed to transform STEM teaching and learning to meet emerging needs like AI,” said James L. Moore III, NSF’s Assistant Director for STEM Education.

• “Integrating AI into education systems helps to prepare both young and adult learners to contribute to an AI-driven society.”
• “With these new funding mechanisms, NSF will fast-track its efforts to provide early exposure to AI, scale AI curricula, expand services that support the use of AI in education, advance teacher professional development and improve knowledge sharing in AI education to help sustain the nation’s leadership in technological innovation.”

The big picture: This announcement reflects a broader federal strategy to maintain America’s competitive edge in artificial intelligence by investing in education infrastructure rather than just research and development.

• The focus on K-12 education suggests recognition that AI literacy must begin early to build a robust pipeline of future AI professionals.
• By leveraging existing NSF programs and awardees, the initiative can scale quickly without building entirely new administrative structures.