North Idaho College Seeks $4 Million Federal Grant To Revolutionize AI And Robotics Education

In the rugged landscape of North Idaho, a quiet revolution is unfolding. North Idaho College has taken a bold step forward, submitting a $4 million federal grant proposal to the U. S. Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education Special Projects program. This ambitious plan aims to catapult the college to the forefront of artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced automation.

The proposed grant would breathe new — into the college’s infrastructure, modernizing its instructional and workforce training capabilities. Hands-on AI programming would expand, and robotics and automation equipment would be updated to meet the demands of an increasingly tech-driven world. NIC X-Labs, the college’s applied learning and innovation hub, would further develop, allowing students to tackle real-world applications with emerging technologies.

President Nick Swayne is resolute in his vision, stating that the United States is poised to lead the charge in AI and robotics, and North Idaho College is already ahead of the curve. This investment would enable the college to amplify its efforts, broadening access to high-impact training opportunities across the region.

At its core, the proposal seeks to boost AI literacy among students and educators, fortifying instructional capacity and integrating emerging technologies into curriculum and training programs tailored to regional workforce needs.