Mathematical Foundations of Artificial Intelligence (MFAI)
U.S. National Science Foundation
This opportunity is closed. Listed deadline: October 9, 2026. Browse open grant funding.
About this archived opportunity
Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are enabling extraordinary scientific breakthroughs in fields ranging from protein folding, natural language processing, drug synthesis, and recommender systems to the discovery of novel engineering materials and products. These achievements lie at the confluence of mathematics, statistics, engineering and computer science, yet a clear explanation of the remarkable power and also the limitations of such AI systems has eluded scientists from all disciplines. Critical foundational gaps remain that, if not properly addressed, will soon limit advances in machine learning, curbing progress in artificial intelligence. It appears increasingly unlikely that these critical gaps can be surmounted with increased computational power and experimentation alone. Deeper mathematical understanding is essential to ensuring that AI can be harnessed to meet the future needs of society and enable broad scientific discovery, while forestalling the unintended consequences of a disruptive technology. The National Science Foundation Directorates for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS), Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), Engineering (ENG), and Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) will jointly sponsor research collaborations consisting of mathematicians, statisticians, computer scientists, engineers, and social and behavioral scientists focused on the mathematical and theoretical foundations of AI. Research activities should focus on the most challenging mathematical and theoretical questions aimed at understanding the capabilities, limitations, and emerging properties of AI methods as well as the development of novel, and mathematically grounded, design and analysis principles for the current and next generation of AI approaches. Specific research goals include: establishing a fundamental mathematical understanding of the factors determining the capabilities and limitations of current and emerging generati
Historical details
- Status
- Closed
- Deadline
- October 9, 2026
- First captured
- December 17, 2025
- Award
- $500,000 - $1,500,000
- Publisher reference
- 353936
Eligibility: *Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. - <span>Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) - Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members.</span> *Who May Serve as PI: <div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW177155816 BCX0"> <p class="Paragraph SCXW177155816 BCX0"><span class="TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW177155816 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW177155816 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177155816 BCX0">As of the date the proposal is </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177155816 BCX0">submitted</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177155816 BCX0">, any PI, co-PI, or senior/key personnel must hold either:</span></span></span><span class="EOP TrackedChange SCXW177155816 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"></span> <ul> <li><span class="TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW177155816 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW177155816 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">a tenured or tenure-track position, </span></span><span class="TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW177155816 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW177155816 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">or</span></span><span class="EOP TrackedChange SCXW177155816 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"></span></li> <li><span class="TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW177155816 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW177155816 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">a primary, full-time, paid appointment in a research or teaching position</span></span></li> </ul> <span class="TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW177155816 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW177155816 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177155816 BCX0">at a US-based campus of an organization eligible to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177155816 BCX0">submit</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177155816 BCX0"> to this solicitation (see above), with exceptions granted for family or medical leave, as </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177155816 BCX0">determined</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177155816 BCX0"> by the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177155816 BCX0">submitting</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW177155816 BCX0"> organization. Individuals with </span></span></span><span class="TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW177155816 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW177155816 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none">primary</span></span><span class="TrackChangeTextInsertion TrackedChange SCXW177155816 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW177155816 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" data-contrast="none"> appointments at for-profit non-academic organizations or at overseas branch campuses of U.S. institutions of higher education are not eligible.</span></span><span class="EOP TrackedChange SCXW177155816 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"></span></div>
Free. One email, sent if this program reopens or Funding Landscape first discovers a close match that is currently open. We watch for 12 months, then stop. No list.