NSF launches national AI research operations center to scale pilot

The National Science Foundation has launched a solicitation for proposals to establish the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Operations Center (NAIRR-OC), a community-based initiative designed to create a comprehensive management framework for national AI research infrastructure. This represents a critical step in transitioning the successful NAIRR Pilot program into a sustainable, scalable national resource that could significantly accelerate AI research capabilities across the United States.

What you should know: The NAIRR-OC will serve as the organizational backbone for America’s national AI research infrastructure, building on the foundation established by the current pilot program.
• The center will develop overarching frameworks, management structures, and operations strategies to support integrated national AI research and education infrastructure.
• Proposals for the operations center are due February 4, 2026, marking a key milestone in the transition from pilot to permanent program.
• The initiative aims to create streamlined access to AI research tools through a centralized web portal and integrate advanced computing and data resources.

The big picture: This move transforms what began as an experimental pilot into a cornerstone of American AI research strategy, potentially reshaping how academic and research institutions access critical AI resources.
• “The NAIRR Operating Center solicitation marks a key step in the transition from the NAIRR Pilot to building a sustainable and scalable NAIRR program,” said Katie Antypas, director of the NSF Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure.
• The center will establish success metrics for NAIRR operations and collaborate with partner organizations to build a cohesive national AI research community.

Track record of the pilot: The NAIRR Pilot, launched in 2024, has already demonstrated significant impact across multiple research domains.
• The pilot has connected over 400 U.S. research teams to essential datasets, computing platforms, models, and software resources.
• Research breakthroughs have been accelerated in cybersecurity, drug discovery, agriculture, and other critical fields.
• The program operates with support from 14 federal agencies and 28 nonprofit and private-sector partners.

What they’re saying: NSF leadership emphasizes the collaborative nature of the initiative and its potential for scientific impact.
• “We look forward to continued collaboration with private sector and agency partners, whose contributions have been critical in demonstrating the innovation and scientific impact that comes when critical AI resources are made accessible to research and education communities across the country,” added Antypas.

Why this matters: The NAIRR-OC represents a strategic investment in maintaining America’s competitive edge in AI research by democratizing access to high-performance computing resources and advanced AI tools that might otherwise be available only to well-funded institutions or private companies.