This bill, titled the "NSF AI Education Act of 2026," seeks to significantly enhance education and professional development in artificial intelligence (AI) and related fields, primarily through initiatives led by the National Science Foundation (NSF). It establishes comprehensive scholarship programs for both undergraduate and graduate students, focusing on the development, deployment, integration, or application of AI and quantum hybrid computing . Specifically, the bill outlines scholarships for students studying AI in conjunction with agriculture , with a preference for those attending rural-located, rural-serving, Tribal, or minority-serving institutions. Additional scholarships are dedicated to students focusing on the teaching of AI skills across various educational levels, from elementary schools to higher education, and for those studying AI in advanced manufacturing operations. Beyond scholarships, the legislation mandates the creation of NSF AI Professional Development Fellowships. These fellowships are designed to foster collaboration between academia and industry, providing professionals with training in AI-related subjects such as prompt engineering and quantum hybrid computing, thereby promoting the exchange of ideas and skills. The bill also directs the Secretary of Agriculture, in collaboration with the NSF Director, to award grants to land-grant colleges and universities for AI in agriculture research, development, and the dissemination of educational resources. Furthermore, it establishes Community College and Vocational School Centers of AI Excellence , designating at least five regionally diverse centers to develop and share best practices for AI education, research, and career pathways, with a focus on areas like AI in agriculture, manufacturing, and general AI literacy. To advance pedagogical approaches, the bill authorizes an award program for research on AI in education, targeting teaching models, tools, and materials for elementary and secondary students from low-income, rural, or Tribal populations. It also requires the NSF to conduct a nationwide outreach campaign to increase awareness of AI and quantum education opportunities, prioritizing underserved and rural areas. The legislation mandates the development of public guidance for the introduction and use of AI in elementary and secondary education, considering rural and economically distressed areas, and the differing applications in STEM and liberal arts. It also supports NSF grand challenges to stimulate innovation in training over one million workers in AI by 2030, addressing barriers, ensuring non-displacement of workers, increasing women's participation, and benefiting rural areas. Finally, the bill expands the functions of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop and maintain workforce frameworks for critical and emerging technologies, including a required framework for AI. It also includes provisions for establishing criteria for gift acceptance and principles for public-private partnerships, ensuring transparency and integrity, and prohibits awards to institutions found in violation of civil rights laws related to discrimination based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics.