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119-s-3454119th CongressWALLET

GUARD Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Cornyn, John [R-TX]

Introduced

Summary

National Security and Defense Artificial Intelligence Institutes would let the Department of Defense fund new AI research centers at U.S. colleges to tackle defense-related AI problems and expand the domestic AI workforce.

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  • Eligible schools and consortia. Grants would go to U.S. institutions of higher education that do Department of Defense–sponsored research and to senior military colleges. Recipients and any subgrantees must be based in the United States.
  • Five-year, renewable support for research and infrastructure. Financial assistance would be awarded for up to five years and may be renewed once for another five years. Funds may pay for curated and secure datasets, sector testbeds, computing and networking access, and technical or software engineering support for AI projects.
  • Partnerships and workforce development. Institutes must build partnerships across government, industry, nonprofit research groups, community colleges, and startups and engage in outreach to grow the AI workforce.
  • Competitive, collaborative grants. Awards would follow a competitive merit review and the Secretary of Defense may work with other federal agencies on selections.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New defense AI research institutes

This bill would let the Secretary of Defense create one or more National Security and Defense Artificial Intelligence Institutes at eligible U.S. host institutions. The Secretary could award financial assistance (grants) to eligible hosts or consortia. Grants would be for five-year periods and could be renewed once for another five years. Grant money could pay for secure, privacy-protected data sets, AI testbeds, research and education, computing and data access, technical help for AI R&D, and outreach to grow the AI workforce. Awards must be competitive and merit-based and would only go to recipients based in the United States. Eligible hosts would be U.S. colleges that conduct DoD-sponsored research or senior military colleges. This authority would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cornyn, John [R-TX]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 12/11/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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