Education Dept. Unleashes AI Priorities for Smarter Schools
Published Date: 4/13/2026
Rule
Summary
The Department of Education is rolling out a new priority focused on using artificial intelligence (AI) to boost learning in schools. This update affects grant programs starting May 13, 2026, and helps guide how money is awarded to support smart AI tools in education. Schools, educators, and tech developers can expect clearer rules and fresh opportunities to get funding for AI-powered learning projects.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New AI Funding Priority for Grants
The Department of Education established a new supplemental priority called "Advancing Artificial Intelligence in Education" for use in discretionary grant programs, effective May 13, 2026. The Secretary can use this priority (or parts of it) when awarding grants to support AI-related projects in K-12 and postsecondary education.
What Projects Qualify for Funding
The priority lists specific project types that may be funded, including integrating AI literacy, expanding age-appropriate AI and computer science education in K-12, adding AI into higher education curricula and teacher prep, professional development for educators, dual-enrollment and certification programs, evidence-building pilots, universal design for learning, and using AI to improve program outcomes. These listed activities describe what grant proposals can propose under the priority.
How the Priority Affects Competition Scores
When the Department uses this priority in a competition it will label it as an absolute, competitive preference, or invitational priority. If it is absolute, only applications meeting the priority are considered; if competitive preference, applications can receive extra points or be selected over comparable non-meeting applications; if invitational, the Department expresses interest but gives no preference.
Official Definitions for AI and AI Literacy
The Department adopted definitions for use in grant programs: "artificial intelligence (AI)" is defined by reference to 15 U.S.C. 9401(3); the rule also defines "AI literacy" (including ethical reasoning, critical social inquiry, and creativity) and "computer science." These definitions will be used in any discretionary grant competition that uses the priority.
Participation Is Voluntary; Costs Covered by Grants
Applying for a grant using this priority is voluntary. The Department states that costs of carrying out funded activities would be paid with program funds and that participation and application costs are expected to be minimal for applicants and not a burden for eligible grantees.
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