Unlocking Dataset Value for AI-Enabled Scientific Discovery
This grant supports projects that enhance the value of existing scientific datasets for AI-driven research and discovery by improving data integration, analysis, and accessibility while ensuring security and community participation.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: November 4, 2026 (Full proposal deadline; due by 5 p.m. local time) | Recurs annually: First Wednesday in November
Funding Amounts: $60M–$100M total; Planning grants up to $200K; Impact awards up to $2M (3 yrs); Flagship awards up to $5M (3 yrs); ~25–50 awards expected
Summary: Supports enhancement and integration of existing scientific datasets to enable AI-driven discovery, interdisciplinary research, and innovation.
Description
This program aims to unlock greater value from existing scientific datasets by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced data methods. The goal is to make datasets more accessible, interoperable, and ready for automated AI-driven analysis, thereby enabling new scientific discoveries, interdisciplinary research, and investigations beyond the original scope of data collection. Proposals may focus on applying AI for feature extraction, metadata generation, dataset integration, or harmonization to improve usability by AI tools and scientific communities. The program emphasizes dataset security, integrity, governance, and encourages leveraging existing national data platforms and infrastructure.
