The University of Puerto Rico (UPR) has been awarded a $9 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a research initiative aimed at strengthening the island's scientific infrastructure and expanding capabilities in artificial intelligence-based technologies, resilient energy systems, and other strategic STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. The project, named "Research Infrastructure for AI-based Sustainable STEM Technologies in Puerto Rico" (RAIS-PR), was selected under NSF's highly competitive EPSCoR Collaborations for Optimizing Research Ecosystems (E-CORE) program, which supports strengthening research ecosystems and scientific collaboration. The initiative will be led by the Mayagüez Campus (RUM), in collaboration with the Río Piedras campus and UPR units in Aguadilla, Arecibo, Bayamón, Carolina, Cayey, Humacao, Ponce, and Utuado.
The Ana G. Méndez University System will also participate. UPR President Zayira Jordán Conde said the award recognizes the institution's scientific capacity and will expand research and training opportunities for students and faculty across the entire university system.
The initiative is expected to connect all 11 UPR campuses with institutions, government, and industry, and to create new opportunities for students and researchers.