Bills · S 3809
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 3809Science, Technology, Communications
AI Grand Challenges Act of 2026
INTRO FEB 9· LAST ACTION FEB 9
READING
8MIN
COSPONSORS
2BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it aims to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence in areas crucial to the nation's future and well-being. By offering large prizes, it seeks to incentivize breakthrough innovations that might not otherwise receive funding through traditional grant mechanisms, potentially attracting a wider range of problem-solvers.
If this bill becomes law, it could lead to faster progress in using AI to tackle major challenges like cancer, cybersecurity threats, or climate change-related issues. If it doesn't pass, the government might continue to fund AI research through existing channels, but without the specific, goal-oriented, and high-reward competitive structure designed to spur rapid, focused innovation that this program intends to create.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes the AI Grand Challenges Program within the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award prizes for AI research and development.
This creates a new mechanism for the government to incentivize AI innovation on critical national issues.
PROVISION 02
Requires the NSF to identify specific "grand challenges" in various fields like health, national security, energy, and education, seeking public input.
This ensures that AI development is directed towards solving pressing, real-world problems that benefit society.
PROVISION 03
Mandates at least one prize competition specifically focused on using AI for cancer breakthroughs, with a minimum award of $10,000,000 per winner.
This provision targets a major public health crisis with significant funding, aiming to accelerate life-saving innovations.
PROVISION 04
Sets a minimum cash prize of $1,000,000 for winners of other AI Grand Challenges competitions.
These substantial prize amounts are intended to attract top talent and significant investment into developing cutting-edge AI solutions.
PROVISION 05
Requires private entity prize recipients to be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States, and individual recipients to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
This ensures that the benefits of the prize program, including intellectual property and economic activity, largely remain within the United States.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 2
D· New Jersey
YRS IN OFFICE
12
BILLS LED
125
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 100%
DEM 1 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSFEB 9
Introduced in Senate
FEB 9
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 3809
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedFeb 9, 2026
Last actionFeb 9, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 9, 2026
Senate BillS 3809Science, Technology, Communications
AI Grand Challenges Act of 2026
INTRODUCED FEB 9, 2026· LAST ACTION FEB 9, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
8 min
COSPONSORS
2
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
