Award program for research on AI in education

(a) Eligible entity In this section, the term eligible entity means— (1) an institution of higher education; (2) a nonprofit organization; or (3) a consortium of 1 or more institutions of higher education or a nonprofit organization and 1 or more private entities. (b) Program authorized (1) In general Subject to section 15, the Director shall make awards, on a competitive, merit-reviewed basis, to eligible entities, to enable the eligible entities to promote research on teaching models, tools, and materials for artificial intelligence and integration with other key emerging technologies, such as quantum information science and technologies and photonics, with a focus on teaching and learning for elementary school and secondary school students who are from low-income, rural, or Tribal populations. (2) Method The Director may carry out this section by making awards through new or existing programs. (c) Application (1) In general An eligible entity that desires to receive an award under this section shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Director may require. (2) Contents An application described in paragraph (1) shall include— (A) a description of the student demographics on which the research supported under the award intends to focus; (B) a description of any regional partnerships the eligible entity plans to utilize to carry out the award; (C) a description of how such research activity or activities may inform efforts to promote the engagement and achievement of elementary school and secondary school students in artificial intelligence and other key emerging technologies, such as quantum information science and technologies and photonics; (D) with respect to an application that concerns the use or integration of artificial intelligence, a description of potential ethical concerns and implications of teacher and student interactions with artificial intelligence systems; (E) a description of how the research on teaching models, tools, and materials were developed in consultation with other educators, academia, and private sector organizations; and (F) such other information as the Director may require. (d) Use of award funds An eligible entity that receives an award under this section shall carry out a program described in subsection (b)(1) that— (1) emphasizes preparing and providing professional development to teachers, principals, and other school leaders to help them integrate artificial intelligence, key emerging technologies, and computational thinking in teaching and learning; and (2) supports research to develop, pilot, fully implement, or test areas, such as— (A) evidence-based instructional materials and high-quality learning opportunities for teaching artificial intelligence and key emerging technologies; (B) models for the preparation of new teachers who will teach artificial intelligence and key emerging technologies; (C) scalable models of professional development and ongoing support for teachers, principals, and other school leaders; and (D) tools and models for teaching and learning aimed at supporting student access to and utilization of artificial intelligence and key emerging technologies across diverse populations, including low-income, rural, and Tribal populations.