Artificial Intelligence, Formal Methods, and Mathematical Reasoning | 24 554

Opportunity Information: Apply for 24 554

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is offering a discretionary research grant opportunity called Artificial Intelligence, Formal Methods, and Mathematical Reasoning (AIMing), funding work that sits at the intersection of modern AI and rigorous mathematical reasoning. The core idea behind the program is to advance machine-assisted mathematical reasoning in ways that help automate knowledge discovery. NSF is specifically interested in research that combines innovative computational approaches and AI techniques with new methods, tools, or strategies for mathematical reasoning, including the kinds of reasoning involved in forming conjectures, constructing proofs, and verifying results. The program reflects the view that mathematical reasoning is a foundational component of human intelligence and a key engine behind scientific progress, and that making progress on automating parts of this process could have wide spillover effects across both mathematics and AI.

AIMing builds on several decades of prior work from both mathematics and computer science communities. Historically, progress in this space has come through formal methods, interactive theorem provers, and other systems designed to represent mathematical statements precisely and check proofs reliably. Alongside those approaches, AI-driven methods have increasingly been used to search for proof steps, guide conjecture generation, and assist with symbolic manipulation and verification tasks. NSF notes that recent technological advances have dramatically increased interest in this area, drawing attention from mathematical sciences researchers, formal methods experts, and AI researchers alike. A major theme of the opportunity is that breakthroughs in machine-assisted reasoning can directly push AI forward as well, because strong mathematical reasoning capabilities are closely tied to robust general intelligence, reliable decision-making, and verifiable system behavior.

Eligibility to submit proposals is limited to specific types of U.S.-based organizations. Proposals may be submitted by non-profit, non-academic organizations located in the United States that are directly associated with research or education, such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies. Proposals may also be submitted by Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), including both two-year and four-year accredited colleges and universities (including community colleges), as long as they have a U.S. campus and are submitting on behalf of their faculty members. The program does not allow submissions from for-profit non-academic organizations as the proposing organization under the categories listed, and it emphasizes U.S.-based institutional presence for eligibility.

Principal Investigator (PI) and other key personnel eligibility is also clearly defined. As of the proposal submission date, any PI, co-PI, or other senior/key personnel must hold either a tenured or tenure-track role, or a primary, full-time paid appointment in a research or teaching position, at a U.S.-based campus of an eligible submitting organization. Exceptions can be made for family or medical leave if the submitting organization determines that the appointment requirements are still met in that context. At the same time, the solicitation explicitly excludes individuals whose primary appointments are at for-profit non-academic organizations or at overseas branch campuses of U.S. institutions, even if the parent institution is U.S.-based.

From a funding and administrative standpoint, this is an NSF grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 24-554) in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category. The listed CFDA numbers are 47.049 and 47.070. NSF anticipates making around 10 awards under this solicitation, with an award ceiling of $1,200,000 per award. The original closing date for submissions is June 3, 2024, and the opportunity record shows a creation date of March 5, 2024. Overall, AIMing is aimed at teams that can credibly connect AI methods with formal reasoning and mathematical proof technologies, with the broader goal of advancing automated or machine-assisted discovery and strengthening the underlying reasoning capabilities that future AI systems can build upon.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Artificial Intelligence, Formal Methods, and Mathematical Reasoning" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.049, 47.070.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-03-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-06-03. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,200,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for 24 554

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