Artificial intelligence research is accelerating at a pace that challenges access, equity, and infrastructure. High-performance computing, large datasets, secure environments, skilled personnel, and responsible-use frameworks remain unevenly distributed.
The National Science Foundation has taken a significant step toward addressing this by launching the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) Pilot program. The program supports the operational backbone of the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource, a national initiative designed to democratize access to advanced AI resources. https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/nairr-oc-foundations-operating-national-artificial-intelligence
Proposals are due February 4, 2026, so applicants should begin drafting proposals now to ensure sufficient time for iteration and review.
The opportunity focuses on building and operating the core systems, governance mechanisms, data pipelines, cybersecurity frameworks, and service environments required to make NAIRR functional. This is not a single research grant; it is an infrastructure and operations competition intended to shape how the U.S. AI research ecosystem will operate for years to come.
Schedule a Proposal Readiness Review. Many teams want to pursue transformative federal opportunities yet struggle to articulate operational, governance, or compliance details clearly. You can gain clarity through an early Proposal Readiness Review with EBHC.
NSF has opened a major new funding opportunity to build the operational foundations of NAIRR, the National AI Research Resource. This post explains what NAIRR is, why the new program matters, and how organizations can prepare competitive submissions without risking avoidable proposal gaps.
What NAIRR seeks to support
Creating shared national AI infrastructure: The program funds the resources required to provide broad, equitable access to compute, data, tools, and secure environments. It supports the operational capabilities needed to run a national-scale AI platform.
Enabling responsible and trustworthy AI research: NSF emphasizes governance, auditing pathways, and privacy and security controls. NAIRR must support responsible AI development and incorporate ethical, legal, and societal considerations. These requirements elevate the proposal complexity.
Building service environments for researchers: NAIRR is envisioned as a one-stop interface where researchers across academia, nonprofits, and industry can access AI tools, data repositories, cloud infrastructure, and specialized support. This opportunity funds the workflows, coordination, and operational structures that make this possible.
Supporting workforce development: NSF expects teams to contribute to training resources that increase national capacity in AI research and deployment. This includes documentation, user support, and education aligned with the platform’s capabilities.
Browse Prior NSF CI Initiatives. Reviewing past NSF cyberinfrastructure programs can offer insight into how NAIRR fits into the broader national research strategy.
Many applicants assume NAIRR is simply an AI research grant. It is significantly broader and more complex. Proposals must integrate operational planning, governance frameworks, user support, systems design, cybersecurity, legal compliance, and cross-institutional coordination. Missing any of these elements creates risk for reviewers who must assess reliability and long-term viability.
Overlooking these requirements can lead to proposals that are technically strong yet operationally incomplete. This gap can cause promising teams to fall short during review.
What organizations can do next
For universities, labs, and consortia: You can assess your readiness to lead or join multi-institution teams. NAIRR requires large-scale coordination and evidence of experience operating research platforms.
For AI research groups: You can evaluate how your expertise fits into data services, model hosting, responsible AI frameworks, or user support roles. Many groups underestimate the value of their specialized operational experience.
For infrastructure providers and cloud partners: This opportunity opens pathways to collaborate on a national-scale research infrastructure. Strong consortium design and clear role definition will be essential.
Request a Structured Planning Session. If you plan to pursue NAIRR, EBHC can guide your team through structured planning that clarifies operational components and strengthens your competitiveness.
NAIRR is one of the most significant infrastructure-focused AI opportunities issued by NSF. It aims to broaden access to advanced AI resources, set national benchmarks for responsible research, and support an interoperable, secure, and equitable platform for AI advancement. Organizations that prepare thoughtfully and address the program’s complexity can play a defining role in shaping the future of U.S. AI research.
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