TLDR: A bipartisan group of House lawmakers has reintroduced legislation, the NSF AI Education Act, aiming to significantly expand the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) involvement in artificial intelligence (AI) education. The bill seeks to make AI more accessible to students through scholarships, fellowships, and the establishment of regional Centers of AI Excellence at community colleges, with a particular focus on rural communities and high-priority sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, and education.
A bipartisan group of House lawmakers is once again championing legislation to bolster the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) role in artificial intelligence (AI) education. On Tuesday, September 17, 2025, Representatives Vince Fong (R-Calif.) and Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.) reintroduced the NSF AI Education Act, with Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.) joining as a co-sponsor. The bill, which previously stalled in Congress last year, aims to broaden access to AI and STEM opportunities across higher education.
The proposed legislation would empower the NSF to award scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing AI studies. A key focus of these scholarships would be on high-priority sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, and education, ensuring that AI integration benefits a wide array of industries.
Representative Fong emphasized the bill’s commitment to inclusivity, stating in a press release that it “seeks to ensure rural communities aren’t left behind as AI continues to reshape the global economy.” He further elaborated, “Our legislation increases access to the tools and training that students and workers across the country need to thrive in the 21st-century economy. By expanding AI education through scholarships, fellowships, and regional Centers of Excellence at community colleges, we can lay the groundwork for long-term opportunity for the next generation to lead in a world of rapid innovation.”
Beyond scholarships, the bill mandates the NSF to establish fellowships for both students and instructors, enabling them to participate in “AI-focused professional development across STEM fields.” The NSF director would also be tasked with overseeing outreach initiatives specifically targeting rural institutions and tribal colleges or universities, addressing potential disparities in AI education access.
Community colleges and technical education institutions are set to receive a significant boost, with the bill proposing the creation of eight regional Centers of AI Excellence on their campuses. These centers are envisioned as crucial hubs for AI education, fostering innovation and skill development at the local level.
Representative Salinas underscored the transformative potential of AI, noting that the bill will “help more Americans participate in this technological revolution.” She added, “Artificial intelligence technology has the potential to transform our society for good and drive economic growth across a broad range of industries, from clean energy to agriculture, to manufacturing. Our legislation would help people build the skills they need to participate in the emerging AI workforce, expand research on responsible uses of AI, and leverage community and technical colleges to ensure these opportunities are available to individuals from diverse backgrounds.”
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Additionally, the NSF director would be responsible for distributing “competitive, merit-based awards” to higher education institutions and nonprofits. These awards would support research and development efforts focused on AI teaching resources, with the goal of providing K-12 students with early exposure to AI learning.
