Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund Grant Program - Solutions for AI-Native RAN
This grant funds projects developing secure AI-powered solutions for Radio Access Networks to boost operator revenue, cut costs, and accelerate commercial deployment of open, interoperable wireless equipment.
Funder: National Telecommunications and Information Admini
Due Dates: September 9, 2026 (Complete application submission deadline via Grants.gov)
Funding Amounts: Up to $53M total | Up to $25M per project | Expected 3 awards | Up to 18 months/project
Summary: Supports development and field demonstration of secure AI-native Radio Access Network (RAN) solutions to accelerate commercial deployment and export of open, interoperable, and secure wireless equipment.
Key Information: 50% minimum cost share required; applicant must be US-based and capable of commercializing an AI-native RAN solution.
Description
This program, issued by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), is the fourth Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) under the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund. The focus is on advancing secure compute environments that enable native artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in Radio Access Networks (RAN). The aim is to stimulate innovation, commercial deployment, and export of open, interoperable, and secure wireless equipment, with a special emphasis on demonstrating business cases for AI-native RAN services.
Applicants are expected to develop, field test, and demonstrate commercially viable AI-native network architectures that integrate robust security. Projects should directly address technical, business, and security requirements, including a field demonstration of a working hardware prototype and beta-level software. The program is aligned with statutory objectives to enhance supply chain competitiveness, accelerate commercial deployments, manage network integration, enhance security, and promote network virtualization.
