TechAccess: AI-Ready America
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations ready to lead AI adoption and workforce readiness in their state or territory.
Eligible applicants include universities, research institutions, nonprofits, and public-serving organizations. Some competition may target specific sectors or skill levels. You must demonstrate strong partnerships across business, education, and government sectors in your region.
The program supports establishing Coordination Hubs in every U.S. state, D.C., and territory. Hubs connect local partners, coordinate AI training and deployment, and scale successful approaches. Activities include workforce development, business engagement, and hands-on learning like internships and apprenticeships.
This is a highly competitive, large-scale initiative. Your application should show existing partnerships, a clear vision for regional AI readiness, and capacity to coordinate across sectors.
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Program description
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.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NSF application form (PAPPG standard)
- Project narrative/proposal
- Budget and budget justification
- Letters of support/commitment from key partners
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Evaluation plan with measurable outcomes
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.070 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$975,888,088
-
$376,000,000
-
$146,395,788
-
$84,249,997
-
$78,999,134
-
$38,082,925
-
$37,758,328
-
$37,023,406
-
$36,793,220
-
$31,497,099
Top States by Funding
- CO 6 awards $1,049.0M
- TX 9 awards $651.6M
- IL 10 awards $304.8M
- CA 17 awards $237.2M
- IN 3 awards $93.7M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.070). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $965,230,000 | |
| 2025 | $916,340,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $331,630,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for a Coordination Hub?
Universities, research institutions, nonprofits, and public-serving organizations are eligible. You need demonstrated capacity to convene and coordinate partners across business, education, and government.
What is the funding level?
Awards typically range from $3,000,000 to $4,000,000. This covers multi-year operations of a state/territory hub.
What activities are supported?
Coordination hubs support AI workforce development, business adoption, hands-on training (internships, apprenticeships), and scaling of proven approaches across your region.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required for this grant. However, strong partnerships and leveraged resources will strengthen your competitiveness.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is fixed for July 16, 2026. Check NSF's website for any rolling competitions within the broader AI-Ready America program.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build a strong regional coalition before applying. Include universities, workforce boards, tech companies, and economic development agencies as partners.
- Use data to show current AI skills gaps and economic opportunities in your state or territory. Demonstrate why your region is ready to lead.
- Explain how you'll connect K-16 education, workforce training, and business needs. The program rewards cross-sector coordination.
- Detail specific, measurable outcomes: how many workers trained, businesses engaged, and partnerships formed. Be concrete about scaling.
- Align your proposal with national AI readiness priorities while grounding it in local economic strengths and community needs.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak partnership letters or vague commitments from key stakeholders. Be specific about who leads what activity. Proposing generic AI training without connection to regional economic opportunities. Show how your hub will drive measurable adoption and job creation. Underestimating the operational complexity of managing a statewide hub and serving diverse audiences.
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