The Computing Research Association (CRA), with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), is pleased to announce the launch of the NAIRR AI Education Fellowship at CRA.  The application portal is now live and will remain open through November 1, 2025.

The fellowship will bring together a national cohort of 10 faculty champions to advance undergraduate and master’s AI education. Fellows will pilot and adapt resources from the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) Pilot, help prepare faculty to integrate these resources into AI courses, and foster a sustainable community of practice around best practices for AI education.

Selected fellows will serve a one-year term from December 1, 2025 – November 30, 2026 with NAIRR Pilot Classroom Expansion AI EDU Research Collaboration Network (NAIRR AIEDU RCN), receive a $5,000 stipend, and have travel, lodging, and meals covered for travel associated with the fellowship

Selected Fellows will take on visible leadership roles to: 

• Spearhead the organization and leadership of at least two monthly seminars per term, shaping the national conversation on AI education.
• Engage in monthly strategy and working meetings with a select cohort of peers to guide the future of the CRA AI EDU RCN.
• Play a key role by supporting NAIRR Conference Roundtables and actively participating in at least one NAIRR Pilot Expansion Conference, positioning yourself at the forefront of AI research and education.
• Champion the adoption of NAIRR resources on your home campus and within the broader academic community. You will have the opportunity and support to adapt and pilot these cutting-edge resources in your own classrooms and department.
• Participate in NAIRR workshops and collaboration opportunities designed to enhance your expertise.

“Through this fellowship, we are empowering leaders in AI education to experiment, collaborate, and chart new paths for preparing students,” said Tracy Camp, NAIRR Pilot Classroom Expansion Coordination Hub leader and Executive Director and CEO of CRA. “We are excited to see how these fellows will help integrate NAIRR Pilot resources into classrooms and build a thriving national community of practice.”
 

About the NAIRR Pilot Classroom Expansion AI EDU RCN

The NAIRR Pilot Classroom Expansion AI EDU Research Collaboration Network (RCN) is a national initiative dedicated to building a sustainable community of practice for advancing AI education for all. By bringing together faculty across a broad range of higher education institutions — including research-emerging institutions, four-year colleges and universities, minority-serving institutions, and community colleges — the RCN fosters collaboration, resource sharing, and the development of best practices for integrating AI education with the support of NAIRR Pilot resources.

CRA leads this initiative in coordination with partners such as LEVEL UP AI, the NAIRR Pilot Classroom Expansion Conferences, organizations including AAAI, ACM, CAHSI and IEEE-CS, and higher education leaders nationwide. The RCN will host regular convenings, package and share educational resources, and cultivate an active network of faculty committed to increasing capacity in AI education. The new fellowship program will play a central role in advancing this mission.

Eligibility and Application Details
Eligible applicants include faculty, visiting researchers, or educators (including postdoctoral scholars) at U.S. institutions of higher education with demonstrated experience in AI education, research, or curriculum development at the undergraduate or master’s level. Preferred qualifications include experience leading initiatives, mentoring peers, serving on AI-related committees, or integrating AI concepts into coursework.

Applicants must submit:

• A Strategic Proposal outlining their plan to serve as an ambassador for the NAIRR AI Education RCN and champion the adoption of NAIRR resources in AI education.
• A current CV.
• A statement of teaching scholarship.

Applications are open now at the application portal and close on November 1, 2025.

Questions may be directed to Yash Tadimalla at nairr_rcn@cra.org.