NSF awards $2 million grant to KU-led project supporting future AI and computing leaders

LAWRENCE — A University of Kansas-led initiative has received a $2 million award from the National Science Foundation’s Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM) program to expand educational opportunities for low-income students pursuing careers in computing, engineering and emerging technology fields.

The six-year project, “Scholars in Machine Assisted Reasoning and Trust for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (SMART-STEM),” will provide scholarships, mentoring, interdisciplinary coursework and career development opportunities while helping prepare a new generation of STEM professionals capable of responsibly developing and stewarding artificial intelligence and autonomous systems.

Jennifer Lohoefener, assistant research professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, is leading the project in collaboration with KU faculty members Perry Alexander, James Basham and John Symons as well as Emily First at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. 

Alexander and Lohoefener both serve in leadership roles at KU’s Institute for Information Sciences (I2S), a research center dedicated to creating and disseminating fundamental knowledge and new technologies. Basham is a professor in KU’s Department of Special Education. Symons is a professor in the Department of Philosophy.

The project brings together expertise from those subject areas to advance student success and workforce preparation in rapidly evolving technology sectors.

“Artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we solve problems across science, engineering and society,” Lohoefener said. “SMART-STEM is designed to ensure students are prepared not only to use these technologies, but also to evaluate them critically, understand their limitations and help guide their responsible development. We want graduates who can lead with both technical expertise and ethical judgment.”

The project addresses a growing national need for STEM graduates who understand how to leverage machine-assisted systems while ensuring their accuracy, integrity and trustworthiness. As AI and machine learning technologies become increasingly embedded in scientific and engineering disciplines, SMART-STEM seeks to move students beyond passive use of intelligent systems toward active stewardship and responsible innovation.

The program will support approximately 30 high-achieving, low-income undergraduate students pursuing degrees in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering and applied computing. Students may receive scholarships of up to $15,000 per year while participating in a structured cohort model designed to strengthen recruitment, retention and graduation outcomes.

At the center of the initiative is the development of the Autonomous and eXplainable Intelligent Systems (AXIS) Module, a two-semester interdisciplinary curriculum focused on formal logic, ethical reasoning, formal verification and AI system integrity. The curriculum will be delivered using Universal Design for Learning-informed approaches intended to improve accessibility and learning outcomes for students from diverse backgrounds.

“Preparing students for the future requires more than teaching technical skills alone,” Lohoefener said. “By combining computing, ethical reasoning and inclusive educational practices, we’re creating an environment where students can develop a deeper understanding of both the technology itself and its broader impact on society.”

In addition to scholarship support, SMART-STEM will provide students with access to faculty mentors, peer networks, academic counseling and career guidance across both partner institutions. Professional development opportunities will include networking events, industry mentorship and internship experiences aligned with machine-assisted reasoning, cybersecurity and autonomous systems careers.