NTIA Announces Funding Opportunity for AI-Native Wireless Network Innovation

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the Department of Commerce is making up to $53 million available to accelerate the development, testing, and commercialization, of secure, American-led AI‑enabled Radio Access Network (RAN) architecture consistent with its statutory responsibilities under Section 9202(a)(1) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, President Trump’s AI Action Plan, and the Executive Order on Promoting the Export of the American AI Technology Stack. This is the fourth Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) under the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund. The new NOFO, Solutions for AI‑Native RAN, implements Congress’s direction to accelerate the commercialization and deployment of open, interoperable wireless equipment while advancing the Trump Administration’s goal of promoting a trusted, exportable U.S. AI technology stack where American innovation can compete globally. The NOFO prioritizes projects that demonstrate both the technical performance and commercial viability of AI-native RAN technologies. Awardees must conduct real‑world demonstrations that generate data to confirm business case projections. Consistent with the Innovation Fund’s statutory requirements, applicants must propose solutions that meet 3GPP and O‑RAN specifications. To strengthen the competitiveness of trusted U.S. suppliers, projects must demonstrate how their architectures reduce operational costs, unlock new revenue streams, and enable innovative third‑party services. The NOFO also emphasizes integrating cybersecurity into every layer of design and operation. Applications open today, July 14, 2026, and close on September 9, 2026. NTIA expects to make awards on a rolling basis beginning in the fall. Additional information is available on NTIA’s Innovation Fund website. NTIA will also host a NOFO 4 Industry Day on July 29, 2026, to provide additional information and answer questions from prospective applicants. Attendees may register to join.