WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) today announced $2,995,210 in U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) funding – through the CHIPS and Science Act that the lawmakers fought to pass – for Morgan State University students to conduct research on the ways artificial intelligence (AI) can be harnessed to combat climate change.
The award was given through the National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Program for Morgan State University. The grant will provide a hands-on research opportunity for 50 PhD students from bio-environmental science, computer science, civil engineering, mathematics, electrical and computer engineering backgrounds to use field knowledge and AI technologies to tackle environmental challenges. The program is specifically designed to bolster the studies of underrepresented minority students.
“Both climate science and artificial intelligence technology are moving at such a rapid pace that it’s going to take the skills, academic prowess and unique experiences of the next generation of top scholars to keep up,” said Senator Cardin. “That’s exactly the opportunity this investment is providing at Morgan State University. I am confident that Morgan State’s student body and school philosophy will provide the needed groundwork for this research and program to thrive, leading to breakthroughs in both critically important fields.”
“We fought to pass the CHIPS and Science Act to boost our competitiveness in critical emerging technologies, keep America at the forefront of innovation and discovery, and address the most pressing challenges we face – like tackling the climate crisis. These funds will open the door for scholars at Morgan State to do just that. With these federal dollars, Morgan State will help lead the way in leveraging AI to safeguard our planet while providing more students from diverse backgrounds with opportunities in the critical fields of science, technology, engineering, and math,” said Senator Van Hollen.
“Climate change is real. As we work to understand and manage the effects of climate change, the federal government, academia, nonprofits, and the private sector must work as partners in every community going forward. The National Science Foundation grant announced today is an example of the partnerships we need to combat climate change everywhere,” said Congressman Mfume.
The NSF Research Traineeship Program supports interdisciplinary, evidence-based traineeships that advance ways for graduate students in research-based master’s and doctoral degree programs to pursue a range of STEM careers. Morgan State’s award is part of the latest $63 million federal investment in the program, $6 million of which comes from the landmark CHIPS and Science Act.
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