$3 million federal grant to advance AI education at Santa Fe College
October 19, 2026
Advancing efforts to be a leader in responsible AI adoption, while preparing graduates for an economy in which AI competency is expected, Santa Fe College has been awarded a $3 million, five-year Title III Strengthening Institutions Program grant from the U.S. Department of Labor on behalf of U.S. Department of Education.
“This grant will allow SF to build a coordinated, college-wide approach to artificial intelligence that supports student success, workforce readiness, responsible AI use, faculty development, and institutional governance,” said Santa Fe College President Paul Broadie II. “It is a significant investment in Santa Fe’s long-term capacity to lead responsibly in the use of AI across teaching and learning.”
Anchoring this work is the development of an AI Institute and Learning Lab, a centralized home for AI literacy, faculty development, curriculum innovation, governance, and institutional planning. It will complement the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE), which supports professional development and serves as a professional learning community for faculty.
The grant supports the College’s 2030 Strategic Plan pillars to be Future Focused and Student Driven.
Approximately 1,700 square feet of existing space on the Northwest Campus will be renovated to create the Learning Lab, which will include a student AI learning lab, faculty professional development area, and AI demonstration space.
The grant also will support new instructional technology and infrastructure, including AI instructional platforms, laptops for student and faculty use, and audiovisual equipment.
“To help them be ready for whatever comes next, our students can expect to develop AI literacy and critical thinking skills, and to understand and value ethical and responsible AI use and academic integrity, Broadie said. “They will be prepared for the workforce and transfer. “
Faculty development also is a major focus. The College will establish an AI Faculty Development Academy, along with faculty learning communities, instructional coaching, course redesign, and AI teaching resources.
The initiative is designed to benefit students throughout Santa Fe College’s service district and beyond, including students at rural centers and online, helping ensure high-quality access to emerging technology and digital skills.
The award comes on the heels of a NASA-funded grant that has positioned Santa Fe College as the provider of AI instruction to faculty across the Florida College System, as part of a long-term national collaboration to create a framework to determine the trustworthiness of autonomous aviation safety systems.
The Strengthening Institutions Program award runs from Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2031. It includes just under $1 million upfront and is renewable, dependent on annual appropriations and project performance.
