UTRGV Expands AI Research and Education with $2.8M NSF Grant

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) has secured a $2.8 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s ExpandAI Program to advance its research and education efforts in artificial intelligence. The project, titled AI Research and Innovation for Smart Environments (ARISE), builds upon existing AI infrastructure established through UTRGV’s CREST Center for Cyber-Physical Infrastructure Systems.

In collaboration with Georgia Tech’s AI Institute for Advances in Optimization, the initiative aims to develop efficient AI models for infrastructure monitoring—like highways and railroads—using sensor data to predict failures or maintenance needs before issues arise.

Key Highlights:

Focus Areas: Infrastructure-focused AI, smart environments, and autonomous systems

Faculty Involvement: 7 junior faculty supported by senior faculty mentorship from Georgia Tech

Hands-On Research: Students at UTRGV’s MARS Lab (Multiple Autonomous Robot Systems) are developing drone-based AI systems capable of autonomous infrastructure inspection and real-time reporting

Applications: Crack detection in wind blades, runways, and more using swarm robotics and AI ensembles for integrated monitoring and analysis

This grant not only strengthens UTRGV’s interdisciplinary AI capacity but also provides students with real-world experience in cutting-edge research and fosters long-term collaboration with a leading institution in AI optimization.

🔗 Source: myRGV.com