NIST Rebrands AI Safety Group and Opens Doors Wider
Published Date: 5/29/2026
Notice
Summary
NIST is renaming its AI Safety Institute Consortium to the NIST Artificial Intelligence Consortium and expanding its research goals. They’re inviting organizations like companies, universities, and nonprofits to join and help create smart, reliable ways to measure and improve AI. If you want in, send your interest soon—this is a big chance to shape the future of AI with no cost to join!
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Do Not Submit Proprietary Information
Letters of interest should not include proprietary information. NIST states it will not treat any information provided in response to this notice as proprietary.
National-Security Work Subject to Extra Rules
If NIST and eligible Consortium Members undertake national-security related research, participation in those separate research groups will be at NIST's sole discretion and subject to additional risk management strategies and research security requirements. Requirements for classified or national-security work will be determined after the Consortium launch.
Open Invitation to Join Consortium
Companies, universities, nonprofits, and other organizations can submit a letter of interest to join the NIST Artificial Intelligence Consortium. NIST will accept letters on an ongoing basis, with the first review period starting within 60 days of May 29, 2026 and regular reviews likely occurring biannually.
CRADA Requirement for Selected Members
Organizations selected to participate will be required to sign a Consortium Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with NIST. If an entity is not legally permitted to enter into a CRADA, NIST may allow participation under a separate non-CRADA agreement at NIST's discretion.
Existing Members May Sign Amendments
Organizations already in the Consortium are not required to reapply, but NIST may ask current Consortium Members to sign amendments to their existing agreements to reflect the Consortium's refocused direction. Those amendment requests are expected within a similar timeframe as new applicant reviews.
Focus Areas for Consortium Work
The Consortium will focus activities in specific areas such as ChemBio, Healthcare, Law Enforcement/Forensic Science, Energy, Agriculture, Communication, Cybersecurity, Privacy Engineering, High-Security AI Data Centers, Authenticating Digital Content, Post-Deployment Monitoring, Automation, and Evaluation Methods. Organizations working in these areas may find relevant collaboration opportunities.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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