AI Grand Challenges Act of 2026

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 7434 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7434 To authorize the Director of the National Science Foundation to identify grand challenges and award competitive prizes for artificial intelligence research and development. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 9, 2026 Mr. Lieu (for himself and Mr. Obernolte) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To authorize the Director of the National Science Foundation to identify grand challenges and award competitive prizes for artificial intelligence research and development. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``AI Grand Challenges Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. PRIZE COMPETITIONS FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. (a) Definition.--Except as otherwise expressly provided, in this section the term ``Director'' means the Director of the National Science Foundation. (b) Establishment of Program.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director, in coordination with the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee, shall establish a program to award prizes, utilizing the authorities and processes established under section 24 of the Stevenson- Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719), to eligible participants as determined by the Director pursuant to subsection (e) to stimulate artificial intelligence research, development, and commercialization that solves or advances specific, well-defined, and measurable grand challenges in 1 or more of the following categories: (A) National security. (B) Cybersec