🚨 Funding alert:
TechAccess: AI-Ready America (NSF 26-508) | U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)

TechAccess: AI-Ready America is a national-scale initiative to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) readiness and adoption across the U.S. by building coordinated, state-level infrastructure and partnerships. The program aims to expand access to AI tools, training, and capacity so individuals, businesses, and communities can effectively participate in an AI-driven economy.

This solicitation specifically funds State and Territory Coordination Hubs—anchor entities that will convene cross-sector partners and drive statewide strategies to scale AI adoption, workforce readiness, and real-world implementation.

🔧 What it supports:
Establishment and operation of statewide AI coordination hubs that connect education, workforce, industry, and government partners to expand AI literacy, deployment, and workforce upskilling through practical, scalable initiatives.

🎯 Key focus areas include:

• Building statewide AI readiness ecosystems and coordination infrastructure
• Expanding AI literacy, proficiency, and applied skills across populations
• Workforce development through experiential learning (internships, apprenticeships, project-based learning)
• Supporting small businesses and public-sector organizations in adopting AI
• Cross-sector partnerships (education, workforce, industry, government)
• Scaling proven models and identifying gaps in AI access and capacity
• Aligning local/state strategies with national AI priorities

💡 Why it matters:
This is a major federal investment in the AI workforce and innovation ecosystem, with a strong emphasis on practical adoption—not just education. It creates a new layer of statewide infrastructure to connect workforce systems, employers, and education providers around AI readiness. For workforce and economic mobility leaders, this is a rare opportunity to shape how AI skills, access, and opportunity are distributed across regions and populations.

📌 How to apply:
A Letter of Intent is due June 16, 2026, and full proposals are due July 16, 2026 via NSF submission systems. This is a complex NSF solicitation requiring alignment with the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), strong partnership structures, and a clear statewide strategy. Only one Coordination Hub proposal per institution is allowed, making early coordination essential.

👥 Who should consider this:

• Statewide intermediaries, backbone organizations, or system leaders
• Universities or consortia with strong statewide partnerships
• Workforce boards, economic development organizations, and innovation hubs
• Multi-sector partnerships spanning education, industry, and government
• Organizations positioned to convene and scale statewide initiatives

If you’re thinking about AI, workforce systems, or statewide coordination at scale, this is a defining opportunity. The New Growth Team can help you assess positioning, build the right partnerships, and shape a competitive strategy—reach out if you want to explore fit.