Information for Community Partners
Mini Grants
2026-2027
Funded by the NSF under Award #2433241
The Alaska AI Solutions Consortium (AISC), as part of UAA’s Rural AI Solutions & Engagement Project funded by NSF, is soliciting project proposals from community partners in which artificial intelligence is used to help address a problem in Alaska. The primary project goal is to create partnerships with the community and build the capacity to conduct applied AI research at UAA. The community partner can be any Alaskan organization outside of the university, including large or small businesses, Alaska native organizations, K-12 education, government entities, non-profits, or UA research center.
Goals
Build partnerships with the community and build the capacity to conduct applied AI research at UAA. Provide seed funding to encourage further research and collaboration.

Preview 2026 Community Partner Statements of Need Submissions
Community Partner Call
Academic Year 2026-2027
Step 1 Submit your organization's statement of need (project or problem to be solved using AI). Skip to step 3 if you are already working with a UAA faculty member.
Step 2 Your statement of need is matched with UAA faculty member(s) who can facilitate the project.
Step 3 Develop proposal with UAA faculty
Step 4 Submit full proposal (submitted by UAA faculty)
Step 2 Your statement of need is matched with UAA faculty member(s) who can facilitate the project.
Step 3 Develop proposal with UAA faculty
Step 4 Submit full proposal (submitted by UAA faculty)
2026-2027 Posting
Use this link to submit your Statement of Need
Deadline 9/21/26
Frequently Asked Questions
Partner Statement of Need: September 21, 2026
Full Proposal: October 7, 2026
Award Announcement: November 2, 2026
Project Update/Presentation: March 1, 2027
Final Report: July 15, 2027
Follow the UAA College of Engineering for Updates