The National Science Foundation will not renew a five-year, $20 million grant for an AI institute focused on weather and coastal forecasting, raising the prospect the center could shut down next year without private financing. The decision, made through NSF’s merit review process, comes as the Trump administration promotes AI investment and proposes a 55% cut to NSF funding—cuts that Congress has not adopted. The institute, launched in 2020, supports roughly 70 roles annually across multiple universities and has produced more than 130 papers and tools used by government agencies, including AI applications for hurricane analysis and wildlife protection. Three of five AI institutes up for renewal were extended, one remains pending. Critics say losing the program could slow innovation in U.S. meteorology as China and others ramp up AI research, though current forecasts would be unaffected in the near term.
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