In one paragraph
The AI Grand Challenges Act would have the National Science Foundation set up an AI Grand Challenges Program within 12 months of enactment, awarding cash prizes of at least $1 million per winner for AI research that solves well-defined challenges in areas such as national security, cybersecurity, health, energy, agriculture, education, manufacturing and AI safety and transparency. At least one challenge must target AI-enabled cancer breakthroughs, with at least $10 million to each winner. Winners must be U.S.-based businesses or U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Introduced February 9, 2026.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
No obligations. If enacted, U.S. companies, researchers and individuals could compete for federal cash prizes of $1 million or more for AI solutions to NSF-selected challenges.
Key provisions
- NSF must establish the AI Grand Challenges Program within 12 months, using federal prize authority (15 U.S.C. 3719) and coordinating with the National AI Advisory Committee
- 16 challenge categories, from national security, health and energy to quantum computing and supply chains, plus AI robustness, interpretability, safety, privacy and content provenance
- Challenges chosen with OSTP and other agencies plus public input; problem statements, success metrics and validation protocols published on Challenge.gov
- At least one AI cancer-breakthrough challenge within 1 year of enactment, with at least $10 million in cash prizes to each winner
- At least $1 million per winner in other competitions; prizes above $50 million allowed under the prize statute's rules
- Winners must be private entities incorporated with a primary place of business in the U.S., or U.S. citizens or permanent residents
- OSTP coordinates agencies to publish data sets for grand challenges; NSF reports to Congress after each award and every 2 years
Latest legislative action
Feb 9, 2026. Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Topics and industries
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Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error