NSF and Simons Foundation fund $20M SkAI Institute for Astronomy
On August 26, 2026, the National Science Foundation and Simons Foundation announced a $20 million grant to establish the NSF-Simons AI Institute for the Sky (SkAI), led by Northwestern University. The institute aims to develop trustworthy AI tools for analyzing large astronomy datasets and advancing astrophysics research. It will collaborate with multiple institutions, including the University of Chicago, to drive innovation in the field.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Simons Foundation have established the NSF-Simons AI Institute for the Sky (SkAI) with a $20 million grant. Launched on August 26, 2026, the initiative is led by Northwestern University in partnership with the University of Chicago and other institutions. The institute’s primary mission is to develop and apply artificial intelligence tools that can assist in astrophysics research and deep space exploration. As modern sky surveys generate increasingly massive amounts of information, SkAI aims to build reliable AI solutions to help researchers analyze and interpret this data more effectively.
As one of only two National AI Research Institutes focused on astronomy, SkAI reflects a growing interest in how machine learning can transform the field. The institute brings together experts from astrophysics, computer science, and statistics to address fundamental questions about the universe. Professor Joshua Frieman, the Co-PI and Associate Director of Knowledge Transfer for SkAI, emphasized the importance of developing trustworthy AI tools that can be rigorously applied in astronomy research, ensuring reliability and integrity in scientific inquiry.
The work at SkAI involves a broad collaboration of 83 members across 25 partner organizations. This multidisciplinary approach is designed to encourage new AI methods that can solve complex problems in data analysis and help build more accurate astrophysical models. The leadership team includes Professor Rebecca Willett from the University of Chicago, who serves as Co-PI and Associate Director for Research (AI). Together, the team will work on projects that use the strengths of AI to push the boundaries of what is known about the cosmos.
Based in Illinois, the institute is expected to strengthen the state’s role as a center for scientific research and technology. U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth expressed her support for the project, noting its potential to deepen our understanding of astronomy and astrophysics. The establishment of the institute is also intended to support local innovation and job creation. Senator Dick Durbin noted that AI is transforming approaches in various fields, and Illinois’s investment in the SkAI Institute positions the state as a leader in exploring AI's possibilities in astrophysics.
The demand for these advanced tools is growing as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory prepares to launch the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). This survey is expected to produce vast datasets that will require sophisticated analytical techniques to be useful to scientists. SkAI is set to play a central role in creating these tools, contributing to astronomical discoveries over the next decade. By working across various institutions, the institute also aims to support a diverse workforce and ensure that the progress made in AI research benefits the wider scientific community.
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