Commission updates NSF TechAble proposal, RHT submission and hub funding timelines

Dr. Anna Dunn told the commission that the planning group is preparing a consolidated NSF TechAble letter of intent (due June 15) and a full proposal due July 15 that would establish an AI hub zone. “This is a $1,000,000 grant for 3 years, so it’s a potential of $3,000,000,” Dunn said, and noted the application would propose a director and a staff assistant to manage finances and NSF reporting.

Dunn said regional partners and institutions (including OU and other sector partners) are coordinating a single submission to be competitive. She also reported that the regions had submitted a separate Rural Health Transformation (RHT) proposal (reported roughly $700,000) and that responses on initial awards remain pending; some year‑two opportunities could provide fuller funding.

Commissioners discussed how small pilot grants could be gateways to larger funds and how the commission’s proposed fund under HB 1782 might be used to match or leverage federal awards. Members asked staff to follow up with grant contacts and provide a timeline for award notifications and reporting needs. Dunn said she would circulate drafts and host demos of technology tools to inform the NSF application.

No awards or fund disbursements were decided at the meeting.