Planning: AI-Ready: Cyber-Agricultural Systems Testbed (AI-AgARENA)

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $200,000 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

The AI-AgARENA project will develop a national-scale planning roadmap for an artificial intelligence (AI)-ready agricultural research testbed. The proposed infrastructure is designed to support the development and testing of advanced AI technologies in real-world farming environments, enabling breakthroughs in resilient agriculture. The project will unify geographically distributed testbeds across Iowa, Arizona, and Ohio, allowing researchers to evaluate AI methods across a range of crops, soil types, and climatic conditions. By integrating autonomous robotics, wireless networking, and multimodal sensing with cyberinfrastructure, AI-AgARENA aims to democratize access to agricultural data and test environments for a broad research community. The project addresses pressing challenges in food security and agricultural resilience while supporting U.S. leadership in emerging AI and wireless technologies. The planning effort will engage scientists, educators, industry stakeholders, and government agencies to ensure the testbed is extensible, and responsive to national priorities. Education, outreach, and workforce development are integral to this effort, with special attention to training future AI-agriculture innovators. This work supports NSF’s mission by advancing science and technology, strengthening U.S. economic competitiveness, and promoting societal well-being through sustainable food systems. The project will plan and design AI-AgARENA, an AI-ready cyber-physical testbe

Key facts

NSF award ID
2509388
Awardee
Iowa State University (IA)
SAM.gov UEI
DQDBM7FGJPC5
PI
Soumik Sarkar
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
EXP PROG TO STIM COMP RES
Estimated total
$200,000
Funds obligated
$200,000
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
08/15/2025 → 07/31/2027