Scientific discovery increasingly depends on AI resources, including large-scale computing, high-quality data and specialized tools. Without access to these resources, ambitious questions pursued by U.S. researchers may exceed the resources of an individual laboratory or institution. To help facilitate this foundational research, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a $35 million cooperative award over five years to the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) at the University of California San Diego Halıcıoğlu School of Data Science and Computing to establish and run the NSF National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Operations Center (NSF NAIRR-OC).
SDSC will lead the NAIRR-OC in collaboration with the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) at The University of Texas at Austin. Together, the institutions will build the operational foundation for a sustained national AI research infrastructure, helping transition the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) from a successful pilot into a long-term national capability.
The award creates the organization, services and coordination needed to connect researchers, educators and students with advanced computing, high-quality data, AI models, software, tools, training and technical expertise.