S. 3454 — GUARD Act of 2025

This section authorizes the Secretary of Defense to establish one or more National Security and Defense Artificial Intelligence Institutes at eligible host institutions to address cross-cutting artificial intelligence challenges and foundational science for national security and defense, including through partnerships among federal agencies, institutions of higher education, nonprofits, federal laboratories, governments, and industry. The section further authorizes competitive, merit-based financial assistance to eligible host institutions or consortia for up to 10 years (initial five-year period, renewable once) to support institute activities, including (1) managing secure data sets for AI training, testing, and research; (2) developing AI testbeds; (3) conducting AI research and education on national security challenges; (4) providing access to computing resources and data facilities; (5) offering technical assistance; (6) engaging in outreach to broaden AI workforce participation; and (7) other activities as determined by the Secretary. Eligible host institutions are institutions of higher education (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1002) in the United States that conduct Department of Defense-sponsored research or senior military colleges (as defined in 10 U.S.C. 2111a(f)). No financial assistance may be awarded to entities outside the United States.