The AI Innovation Fund was created in response to growing interest among educators and institutions as they explore and implement artificial intelligence (AI). While many of the most promising ideas come from those closest to the work, educators often lack the time, capacity, and resources to test, refine, and scale those ideas in meaningful ways.
Through the AI Innovation Fund, SCORE invests in educator-led projects that address real challenges in K-12 and postsecondary education using AI-enabled tools and approaches. The fund supports educators, education leaders, and organizations that are best positioned to identify solutions that strengthen teaching and learning, build AI knowledge and skills, expand access to opportunity, and improve school or system capacity.
Funded initiatives are designed to advance responsible, student-centered AI implementation while generating practical insights that can benefit educators across Tennessee. Each project follows several core principles:
- Grounded in improving student outcomes: AI must be used to address a meaningful challenge impacting Tennessee students, educators, or education systems in K-12, postsecondary, or education-to-work pathways, with the ultimate goal of improving student outcomes.
- Measurable and able to teach the field: Projects are designed for rapid learning and implementation. The solution must be designed or piloted and yield reportable results for Tennessee students and/or educators during the grant’s 12-month term.
- Practitioner-led: Applicants must be educators, education leaders, or organizations directly serving Tennessee students, including K-12 districts, public charter schools, postsecondary institutions, and outside-of-school student support organizations. Technology partners may support implementation, but projects must be led by educators or education leaders closest to the problem being solved.
- Safe for students: Solutions must protect student safety, privacy, and academic integrity while ensuring the age-appropriate use of AI and any associated technology.
Selected teams receive up to $50,000 to design, implement, and evaluate AI-enabled solutions over a 12-month project period. In addition to funding, participants receive strategic support from SCORE and opportunities to learn alongside peers across Tennessee as they test new approaches and share implementation insights.
As projects progress, SCORE will share updates, key findings, and implementation insights to help educators and institutions across Tennessee better understand how AI can be used responsibly in service of students.
What is the AI Innovation Fund?
The AI Innovation Fund is a competitive grant and strategic advising opportunity designed to support bold AI‑enabled solutions that drive student outcomes by addressing real challenges facing Tennessee educators and education systems. SCORE invests in projects that can be piloted, measured, and learned from within a 12‑month period.
Who can apply?
Applicants must be Tennessee-based education providers serving students up to age 24. Eligible providers include teachers, advisors, and leaders from K‑12 districts, public charter schools, postsecondary institutions, or student support organizations. Other organizations may apply in partnership with an eligible education provider.
What kinds of solutions is SCORE hoping to fund?
The fund will support new approaches and/or pilots that can generate measurable learning to inform the broader field. SCORE is particularly interested in solutions that have the potential to strengthen teaching and learning, enhance operational effectiveness, build AI skills, expand access and personalization, or create new models that better prepare students for long-term success. Solutions must address a clearly defined problem of practice impacting students, educators, or school systems. In addition, strong solutions are student‑centered, feasible to pilot within one year, and grounded in real educational needs.
What additional support will grant recipients receive from SCORE?
In addition to funding, grantees will receive strategic advising support facilitated by SCORE throughout the grant year. This support is designed to strengthen project design, implementation, and learning. In addition, SCORE will facilitate the publication of a case study on the AI project that best captures its innovative design and impact. The purpose of this is to share learnings across the field.
Are there any activities SCORE will not fund?
SCORE will not fund lobbying activities or gifts/prizes.
What is the application/grant timeline?
- Applications closed on July 8.
- Grant recipients will be announced on Aug. 20
For additional questions, contact SCORE at aifund@tnscore.org.
The AI Innovation Fund is one part of SCORE’s broader work to support responsible, student-centered AI implementation across Tennessee. Explore SCORE’s AI initiatives page to learn more.