New NSF Initiative Aims to Make Every American Worker, Business and Community AI-Ready, Including Farmers

They will stablish a network of 56 state and territory-based coordination hubs.

The organism will invest up to USD 1 million annually per hub over three years.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) of the United States (US) announced a new funding opportunity as part of an effort to enable all Americans to understand, apply and create with artificial intelligence. The NSF TechAccess: AI-Ready America (NSF AI-Ready America) initiative aims to expand access to AI knowledge, tools, training and capacity building so all Americans can participate in — and benefit from — the AI economy. And this includes all the farmers.

As a first step, NSF and federal partners -the Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA), the Department of Labor, and the Small Business Administration- are releasing a funding opportunity to establish AI-ready Coordination Hubs in every US state and territory.

“USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture is proud to partner with NSF on this national effort to ensure that every community — including the most rural — can benefit from the power of artificial intelligence,” assured Jaye Hamby, USDA NIFA director. And he added: “By investing in tools and training that meet farmers and ranchers where they are, we’re helping build an agricultural future that is more resilient, more efficient and more accessible for all. This collaboration strengthens our commitment to ensuring that agricultural producers have the innovations they need to thrive in and provide food and fiber for a rapidly evolving world.”

Closing the Gap

Informed by the White House AI Action Plan, the NSF AI-Ready America initiative is designed to close the gap between the nation’s AI capabilities and the workforce, businesses, and communities that need to use them. The initiative targets three areas where that gap is widest: expanding AI literacy and applied skills across the American workforce; equipping small businesses and local governments with the tools and technical assistance to adopt AI; and building hands-on learning pathways -including internships and project-based programs- that translate AI skills into real-world application.

“America’s AI competitiveness depends on a strong research and development ecosystem paired with access to advanced science and technology knowledge for our current and future workforce,” said for his part Brian Stone, performing the duties of the NSF director. “NSF AI-Ready America provides that foundation — giving workers, businesses, and communities in every state and territory the tools and knowledge to advance AI together.”

It Will Operate Through a Network

The initiative will operate through a network of state and territory-based Coordination Hubs — up to 56 in total, covering all US states, territories and the District of Columbia — selected through three rounds of competition. Each Hub will connect local partners, coordinate deployment, and scale proven approaches based on the priorities of state and local stakeholders. NSF will invest up to USD 1 million annually per Hub over three years, with the possibility of a fourth year for Hubs demonstrating continued need during transition.

“Winning the AI race is vital to ensuring continued American dominance in defense, innovation, and economic strength,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “SBA looks forward to collaborating with NSF and our partners across the Trump Administration to empower small businesses with the training and resources to enhance efficiencies and drive prosperity for the next generation.”

NSF plans to release a funding opportunity in the future to select a national coordination lead who will facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing among the Coordination Hubs. NSF also anticipates issuing AI-Ready Catalyst award competitions focused on a series of topics to pilot and scale innovative approaches that address critical AI readiness needs.