[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4394 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4394
To support National Science Foundation education and professional
development relating to artificial intelligence.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 22, 2024
Ms. Cantwell (for herself and Mr. Moran) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To support National Science Foundation education and professional
development relating to artificial intelligence.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``NSF AI Education Act of 2024''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Artificial intelligence; ai.--The term ``artificial
intelligence'' or ``AI'' has the meaning given such term in
section 5002 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (15 U.S.C.
9401).
(2) Community college.--The term ``community college'' has
the meaning given the term ``junior or community college'' in
section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1058(f)).
(3) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the National Science Foundation.
(4) Emerging research institution.--The term ``emerging
research institution'' has the meaning given the term in
section 10002 of the Research and Development, Competition, and
Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 18901).
(5) EPSCoR institution.--The term ``EPSCoR institution''
means an institution of higher education, nonprofit
organization, or other institution located in a jurisdiction
eligible to participate in the Established Program to Stimulate
Competitive Research under section 113 of the National Science
Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 1862g).
(6) High school.--The term ``high school'' has the meaning
given that term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(7) Historically black college and university.--The term
``historically Black college and university'' has the meaning
given the term ``part B institution'' in section 322 of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).
(8) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(9) Key emerging technologies.--The term ``key emerging
technologies'' means the technologies included in the initial
list of key technology focus areas set forth by section
10387(c) of the Research and Development, Competition, and
Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19107(c)), photonics, and
electronics.
(10) Labor organization.--The term ``labor organization''
has the meaning given the term in section 2(5) of the National
Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152(5)), except that such term
shall also include--
(A) any organization composed of labor
organizations, such as a labor union federation or a
State or municipal labor body; and
(B) any organization that would be included in the
definition for such term under such section 2(5) but
for the fact that the organization represents--
(i) individuals employed by the United
States, any wholly owned Government
corporation, any Federal Reserve Bank, or any
State or political subdivision thereof;
(ii) individuals employed by persons
subject to the Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 151
et seq.); or
(iii) individuals employed as agricultural
laborers.
(11) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
serving institution'' has the meaning given the term in section
10002 of the Research and Development, Competition, and
Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 18901).
(12) National laboratory.--The term ``National Laboratory''
has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
(13) Nonprofit organization.--The term ``nonprofit
organization'' means an organization which is described in
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and
exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code.
(14) Quantum hybrid computing.--The term ``quantum hybrid
computing'' means the use of quantum computing in conjunction
with classical computing.
(15) Quantum information science.--The term ``quantum
information science'' means the use of the laws of quantum
physics for the storage, transmission, manipulation, computing,
or measurement of information.
(16) Rural-located institution of higher education.--The
term ``rural-located institution of higher education'' means an
institution of higher education that is located in or near
areas that are not classified as urban by the Census Bureau.
(17) Rural-serving institution of higher education.--The
term ``rural-serving institution of higher education'' means an
institution of higher education that--
(A) primarily serves areas that are not classified
as urban by the Census Bureau; and
(B) offers degrees that are unique and helpful to
rural regions that are not classified as urban by the
Census Bureau.
(18) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' means science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics, including computer science.
(19) Tribal college or university.--The term ``Tribal
College or University'' has the meaning given the term in
section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1059c(b)).
SEC. 3. UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
EDUCATION.
(a) Scholarships Related to AI or Quantum Hybrid Computing.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall award merit- or need-
based scholarships to undergraduate students at institutions of
higher education in order to enable such students to study--
(A) the development, deployment, integration, or
application of artificial intelligence; or
(B) quantum hybrid computing.
(2) Scholarships.--Scholarships awarded under paragraph (1)
shall be in the form of annual grant awards for a 4-year period
in amounts that cover the cost of tuition, education-related
fees, and a stipend. Such scholarships shall be paid directly
to the institution of higher education in which the student is
enrolled.
(b) Scholarships Related to AI and Agriculture.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall award merit- or need-
based scholarships to undergraduate students at institutions of
higher education in order to enable such students to study--
(A) artificial intelligence and agriculture; or
(B) the integration of artificial intelligence into
agricultural operations, prediction, and decision
making.
(2) Priority.--In awarding scholarships under this
subsection, the Director shall give preference to students who
are attending rural-located institutions of higher education,
rural-serving institutions of higher education, or Tribal
Colleges or Universities.
(3) Scholarships.--Scholarships awarded under paragraph (1)
shall be in the form of annual grant awards for a 4-year period
in amounts that cover the cost of tuition, education-related
fees, and a stipend. Such scholarships shall be paid directly
to the institution of higher education in which the student is
enrolled.
(c) Scholarships Related to AI and Education.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall award merit- or need-
based scholarships to undergraduate students at institutions of
higher education in order to enable such students to study the
teaching of artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence
skills at elementary schools, secondary schools, career and
technical education schools, institutions of higher education,
or through other higher education and professional education
programs.
(2) Scholarships.--Scholarships awarded under paragraph (1)
shall be in the form of annual grant awards for a 4-year period
that cover the cost of tuition, education-related fees, and a
stipend. Such scholarships shall be paid directly to the
institution of higher education in which the student is
enrolled.
(d) Scholarships Related to AI and Advanced Manufacturing.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall award merit- or need-
based scholarships to undergraduate students at institutions of
higher education in order to enable such students to study--
(A) artificial intelligence and advanced
manufacturing; or
(B) the integration of artificial intelligence into
advanced manufacturing operations.
(2) Scholarships.--Scholarships awarded under paragraph (1)
shall be in the form of annual grant awards for a 4-year period
that cover the cost of tuition, education-related fees, and a
stipend. Such scholarships shall be paid directly to the
institution of higher education in which the student is
enrolled.
(e) Method.--The Director may carry out this section by making
awards through new or existing programs.
SEC. 4. GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS FOR ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE EDUCATION.
(a) Graduate Scholarships Related to AI or Quantum Hybrid
Computing.--The Director shall award merit- or need-based scholarships
to graduate students at institutions of higher education in order to
enable such students to study--
(1) the development, deployment, integration, or
application of artificial intelligence; or
(2) quantum hybrid computing.
(b) Scholarships Related to AI and Agriculture.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall award merit- or need-
based scholarships to graduate students at institutions of
higher education in order to enable such students to study--
(A) artificial intelligence and agriculture; or
(B) the integration of artificial intelligence into
agricultural operations, prediction, and
decisionmaking.
(2) Priority.--In awarding scholarships under this
subsection, the Director shall give preference to students who
are attending rural-located institutions of higher education,
rural-serving institutions of higher education, or Tribal
Colleges or Universities.
(c) Graduate Scholarships Related to AI and Education.--The
Director shall award merit- or need-based scholarships to graduate
students at institutions of higher education in order to enable such
students to study the teaching of artificial intelligence and
artificial intelligence skills at elementary schools, secondary
schools, career and technical education schools, institutions of higher
education, or through other higher education and professional education
programs.
(d) Graduate Scholarships Related to AI and Advanced
Manufacturing.--The Director shall award merit- or need-based
scholarships to graduate students at institutions of higher education
in order to enable such students to study--
(1) artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing; or
(2) the integration of artificial intelligence into
advanced manufacturing operations.
(e) Scholarships.--Scholarships awarded under this section shall be
in the form of annual grant awards for a 3-year period that cover the
cost of tuition, education-related fees, and a stipend. Such
scholarships shall be paid directly to the institution of higher
education in which the student is enrolled.
(f) Method.--The Director may carry out this section by making
awards through new or existing programs.
SEC. 5. NSF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
FELLOWSHIPS.
(a) In General.--The Director shall establish a program to promote
the exchange of ideas and encourage collaborations between institutions
of higher education and industry partners in the fields of artificial
intelligence and key emerging technologies, including through
fellowships for students and industry professionals.
(b) Fellowships.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall award merit-based
fellowships for professionals for professional development
programs in STEM fields or the field of education that are
administered by or affiliated with institutions of higher
education, in order to enable fellowship recipients to attain
skills or training on--
(A) the development, deployment, integration, or
application of artificial intelligence;
(B) prompt engineering; or
(C) quantum hybrid computing.
(2) Fellowship awards.--Awards under this subsection shall
be in the form of one annual award that covers the cost of
tuition, education-related fees, and a stipend. Such awards
shall be paid directly to the institution of higher education
that administers, or that is affiliated with, the program in
which the fellowship recipient is participating.
SEC. 6. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TRAINING FOR LAND-GRANT COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the
Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, in
collaboration with the Director of the National Science Foundation,
shall award grants to land-grant colleges and universities (as defined
in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) for artificial
intelligence in agriculture.
(b) Use of Funds.--A grant awarded under this section may be used
for--
(1) research and development on the use of artificial
intelligence in agriculture or the integration of artificial
intelligence into agricultural operations, predictions, and
decision making;
(2) the dissemination of educational resources for
artificial intelligence in rural areas; and
(3) artificial intelligence tools for agriculture.
SEC. 7. QUANTUM FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS.
(a) In General.--The Director may establish or use existing
programs to support fellowships and scholarships for students at
institutions of higher education for the purpose of--
(1) increasing quantum information science, engineering,
and technology exposure for undergraduate and graduate STEM
students; and
(2) increasing post-graduation employment opportunities for
STEM students who demonstrate potential to pursue careers in
quantum information science, engineering, and technology, or
fields that support the quantum industry.
(b) Requirements.--Eligible participants in the fellowship and
scholarship program shall--
(1) be enrolled in or have graduated from a STEM degree
program at a domestic institution of higher education; and
(2) have taken at least one quantum-science or quantum-
relevant course as part of their degree programs.
(c) Considerations.--Eligible fellowships and scholarships may
include temporary quantum-related positions at State or Federal
agencies, National Laboratories, private sector entities, institutions
of higher education, or other quantum-relevant entities, as determined
appropriate by the Director.
(d) Competitive Awards.--Fellowships and scholarships shall be
competitively awarded through a merit-review process. The Director may
prioritize fellowships that include an industry partner that provides
financial assistance to the applicant for direct or indirect costs.
SEC. 8. NSF OUTREACH CAMPAIGN.
(a) In General.--The Director shall carry out a nationwide outreach
campaign to students at elementary schools, secondary schools, career
and technical education schools, institutions of higher education, or
through other higher education and professional education programs to
increase awareness about AI or quantum education opportunities at the
National Science Foundation.
(b) Priority.--In carrying out such campaign, the Director shall
prioritize outreach to underserved and rural areas.
SEC. 9. COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOL CENTERS OF AI
EXCELLENCE.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Area career and technical education school.--The term
``area career and technical education school'' has the meaning
given the term in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).
(2) Eligible applicant.--The term ``eligible applicant''
means a community college, vocational school, or area career
and technical education school, in partnership with 1 or more
of the following:
(A) A Federal, State, local, or Tribal government
entity.
(B) An institution of higher education.
(C) An entity in private industry.
(D) An economic development organization or venture
development organization.
(E) A labor organization.
(F) A nonprofit organization.
(3) Venture development organization.--The term ``venture
development organization'' has the meaning given the term in
section 27(a) of the Stevenson-Wydler Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C.
3722(a)).
(4) Vocational school.--The term ``vocational school'' has
the meaning given the term ``postsecondary vocational
institution'' in section 102(c) of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(c)).
(b) Establishment of Centers of AI Excellence.--The Director, in
coordination with the Regional Technology Hubs program at the
Department of Commerce and the Regional Innovation Engines program at
the National Science Foundation, shall choo