The US National Science Foundation announced the NSF Unlocking Dataset Value for AI-Enabled Scientific Discovery program, a new investment to advance scientific community datasets and enable discovery and innovation using artificial intelligence and other methodologies in national priority areas.
Across science and engineering, researchers have created valuable data sets through previous research. However, many data sets may be usable for new queries outside the original scope of data collection, but are not accessible, interoperable, or ready for use by automated AI systems. Many existing datasets also do not provide opportunities for a wide range of researchers to contribute and benefit from them. The new program will help research communities extract more value from datasets to ask new questions, test new ideas, and increase the value of previous scientific investments.
AI enables data processing and analysis at scales and speeds beyond human capabilities, helping researchers discover previously hidden patterns and connections. Combined with scientific datasets that are trustworthy, accessible, fit for their scientific purpose, and curated, AI can advance scientific research and connect previously siled disciplines.
Rather than primarily supporting the collection of new data, the program focuses on increasing the value of existing scientific datasets and enabling new AI-powered insights and interdisciplinary research and investigations. Projects can develop novel methods for feature extraction, metadata generation, and integration of multiple data sets; Build robust data pipelines for automated analysis through AI tools and systems. and more. Researchers are encouraged to use existing resources, including NSF data platforms, the NSF Integrated Data Systems and Services program, the NSF-led National AI Research Resource, and the American Science and Security Platform built by DOE as part of the White House-led Genesis Mission.
“High-quality scientific data is fundamental to advancing an AI-powered research and innovation ecosystem,” said Ellen Zegura, senior advisor for science and engineering in the NSF Office of the Director. “By helping research communities unlock the value of existing data, we can accelerate breakthroughs, drive innovation and strengthen America’s global leadership.”
NSF expects to invest up to $100 million in the program, with awards ranging from $2 million to $5 million each and planning grants up to $200,000 each.
The program is based on America’s AI Action Plan by supporting AI-powered scientific discoveries, the creation and publication of structured scientific datasets for training AI models, publicly available research sharing platforms, research infrastructure, and the STEM workforce of the future.
These investments also complement the Genesis Mission, a national initiative to use AI for science. Established by President Trump’s Executive Order in November 2025, the Genesis Mission will build an integrated platform to leverage scientific datasets to train scientific models, develop AI agents to test new hypotheses, automate research workflows, and accelerate scientific breakthroughs in mission-driven national science and technology challenges.
Learn more about the NSF Unlocking High-Impact Data for AI-Enabled Scientific Discovery program.
https://www.nsf.gov/news/new-nsf-initiative-aims-unlock-dataset-value-ai-enabled
