Ends on
Submit to Funding for Rapid-Cycle Research on the Potential Efficacy of Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Tools in K–12 Education

How do AI-Enabled Tools Affect Teaching and Learning? Let's Help the Field.

AIR is accepting proposals from staff for short-term, high-impact research or technical assistance projects exploring the real-world use of AI in K–12 education. Selected projects will receive funding beginning in Fall 2025. 

This funding opportunity is part of AIR’s broader effort to explore emerging challenges, inform the field, and shape how AI is used responsibly and effectively in education. 

Download the Request for Proposals (RFP)


 

About the Program

This opportunity supports research and technical assistance that explores how AI is being used in schools—and what that means for teaching, learning, privacy, fairness, and more. Projects must focus on one or more of the following areas: 

 1. Evaluating AI-Enabled Teaching Practices and/or Tools 

  • Assess how AI tools and applications are being utilized in K-12 education at different levels (e.g. instructional planning, teacher professional development, classroom implementation). 
  • Identify emerging practices that enhance teaching effectiveness and engagement. 

2. Analyzing Student Learning Outcomes 

  • Measure the impact of AI-enabled tools on student outcomes, such as performance, engagement, and motivation. 
  • Investigate how AI can support diverse learning needs and personalized education. 

3. Validating AI-Powered Assessments and Learning Tools 

  • Measure the psychometric properties and measurement invariance of AI-powered assessments and learning tools, including validity, reliability and bias/fairness across different settings, demographic groups, and other contextual variables. 
  • Evaluate the content produced by AI-powered tools, such as the accuracy of content, reliability, and relevance of AI-generated responses to teachers and/or students. 

4. Examining Social, Behavioral, and Ethical Implications 

  • Assess the social and behavioral impacts of AI in classrooms, including effects on student outcomes and teaching practices.  
  • Examine how benefits and costs vary across populations and educational contexts. 
  • Explore conditions under which AI augmentation in classrooms, schools, and districts thrives or struggles. 
  • Identify promising practices and ongoing concerns related to privacy, bias, and teacher-student dynamics. 


 

Projects must be completed within 6 to 24 months. Funding will be offered across four tiers, ranging from $250,000 to $2 million. Up to seven awards will be made from a total funding pool of $5 million, supported by the AIR Stimulus—an investment from AIR’s Board of Directors to modernize systems and support forward-looking work.

 

Who Should Apply

To be a project lead, applicants must be a current AIR staff member who is at least 50% FTE (i.e., works at least 80 hours per month on a continuing basis).  

The project team must be primarily AIR staff. If necessary for the success of the proposed projects, external subcontractors and consultants may be part of the proposed team.  

See the RFP for complete eligibility details.


What You’ll Need to Apply

The Intent to Apply form will request:

  • Basic project and applicant details
  • Estimated budget and project duration
  • Overview of project goals and expected contributions to the field

A complete proposal includes: 

  • Basic project and applicant details 
  • A short narrative (with required sections and word limits) 
  • Organizational chart, staffing plan (including résumés/CVs), and a timeline 
  • A budget in an Excel file 
  • Appendices (e.g., citations, visuals, optional work samples) 

Full instructions, templates, and evaluation criteria are in the RFP.


Key Dates

  • RFP Release: August 19, 2025
  • Intent to Apply Form Due: August 27, 2025 (11:59 p.m. ET)
  • Proposals Due: September 19, 2025 (12:00 p.m. ET)
  • Award Notification: Week of October 6, 2025


Our Review Process

Proposals will be reviewed by a review panel that includes AIR Opportunity Fund team members, AIR Scholars, and Lead Network Team members. Proposals will be scored based on the following criteria:

  1. Does the project align with the stated goals of this RFP?  
  2. Does the project have the potential to advance existing evidence and reach and meet the needs of the field? Will it be able to generate evidence rapidly, including interim findings?
  3. Will the project deeply and frequently work with intended beneficiaries to shape the project (including in design, implementation and evaluation)? 
  4. Has the application demonstrated the needed staff expertise and thoroughly planned for overcoming risks?  
  5. Has the application thoroughly planned for how to staff the project and carry out the work to maximize the likelihood of success?  


How to Apply

  1. Submit the Intent to Apply form. Applicants must submit the form by 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, August 22, 2025.  
  2. Receive clearance to apply. If approved to submit a full proposal, your Vice President will reach out with clearance to work with Business Development to submit your full proposal. 
  3. Submit your full proposal. All full proposals must be submitted through this Submittable portal by 12:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. Submissions that are incomplete, received after the deadline, or submitted via methods other than Submittable will not be considered. 

Questions?