MS HB544: State institutions of higher learning; create grant program to assist with endowments to recruit and employ certain professors. Verified

House Bill 544 mandates the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) to establish a grant program to assist state institutions of higher learning in creating endowments for recruiting professors in Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence Engineering. Institutions wishing to participate must submit an application detailing their intended use of funds, existing financial commitments, and the amount of grant funding requested. The MDA will review applications and issue certificates of eligibility for approved applicants. A special fund, the 'State Institutions of Higher Learning Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence Engineering Professors Fund,' will be created to manage the disbursement of these grants, which will be appropriated by the Legislature. The MDA is empowered to implement and administer the program, including establishing necessary rules and regulations. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, allowing institutions time to prepare their applications and secure funding for faculty recruitment in these advanced technology fields. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to enhance educational offerings in AI and Quantum Computing, which are critical for workforce development in Mississippi.