Internet2 to Provide Support for National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) Pilot Communications and Community Building 

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In partnership with Campus Research Computing Consortium (CaRCC), Internet2 has received a two-year Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) NSF award #2436057 from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The “Empowering RCD Professionals to Broaden Participation in the NAIRR Pilot” project will provide communications and community building support for the NSF’s National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) Pilot project. 

Led by Principal Investigator Dana Brunson of Internet2, the project will support the NAIRR Pilot to effectively communicate to cyberinfrastructure (CI) and research computing and data (RCD) professionals about NAIRR Pilot opportunities and resources. with a goal to empower them to, in turn, promote NAIRR Pilot resources to researchers and educators at their own institutions. CaRCC will also work to build and foster ongoing communities and discussions around NAIRR Pilot resources and related topics. 

Lauren Michael (CaRCC/Internet2), Timothy Middlekoop (Internet2), and Daphne McCanse (CaRCC/Internet2) will serve as NAIRR Pilot Outreach Liaisons, working to develop community-informed AI communications strategies and products to not only target CI and RCD professionals and organizations, but also equip them with self-service, customizable communications products that they can use to facilitate NAIRR Pilot awareness and use across their own campuses and organizations. Special focus will be given on developing materials and communities to encourage NAIRR Pilot participation by researchers and educators at smaller and teaching-focused establishments, including under-resourced institutions and those serving underrepresented communities.