AI NextGen Challenge™ 2026: The Biggest AI Scholarship Opportunity
Artificial Intelligence is growing rapidly and offers endless possibilities. How do you begin? What if a scholarship worth over $12.3 million that would not only support your studies but also prepare you to be successful in a real-world setting post-education existed? The USAII® AI NextGen Challenge™ 2026 could provide you with that opportunity! The AI NextGen Challenge™ is a national program for US STEM students to become involved in the study of AI through attaining hands-on industry-recognized certifications and participating in a one-of-a-kind national hackathon that can lead to internships, mentorship opportunities, and success in one of the fastest-growing careers available. Curious? Here’s what you need to know to take the first step.
Why Does This Scholarship Actually Matter? The demand for AI-skilled workers is skyrocketing. According to a recent McKinsey report, AI-related skills are growing nearly seven times faster than traditional digital skills, but over 50% of American students currently lack any AI training, as per Microsoft, 2025 report. This is where your opportunity begins. With this AI NextGen scholarship and certification, you can obtain verified expertise in AI, project experience, and industry-recognized credentials that will give you a competitive edge when entering college or the workforce and will set you up for success in a fast-growing field with high demand.
Your First Step: America’s Largest AI Scholarship Test Ready to unlock your AI future? This online AI Scholarship Test is your gateway to a 100% scholarship and top-tier AI training. It is designed to assess your understanding of key AI concepts, and it’s your first step toward earning a full scholarship to pursue one of three certification tracks. The test is AI-proctored, lasting 60 minutes with 50 multiple-choice questions.
Important Dates to Remember: ●
Registration Deadline: December 31, 2025
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Test Date: January 31, 2026
Don’t miss one of America’s biggest AI scholarships; unlock top certifications. Register now!
Choose Your AI Certification Track Once you earn your scholarship, you choose your track based on your grade level: ● ●
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CAIP™ for Grades 9–10: Master AI fundamentals, how machine learning works, neural networks, robotics, and deep learning basics. ™CAIPa Advanced for Grades 11–12: Move into applied machine learning. Build real models. Complete hands-on projects. This credential actually impresses college admissions officers because you've proven capability beyond coursework. CAIE™ for College Students (STEM): Professional-level training in generative AI, large language models, MLOps, and ML architecture. This is literally what companies hire for. All programs are entirely online and self-paced. Learn when you have time. Complete projects on your schedule. No rigid deadlines.
What's Actually Included in Your Scholarship ●
Scholarship Benefits The top 10% of students will receive a 100% scholarship, while others will earn a 25% discount on their certification program.
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Expert-Led Instruction Learn from AI professionals actively building systems for leading companies—not just academics. Our recorded sessions provide real-world insights straight from industry practitioners.
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Hands-On Technical Labs This isn’t just passive learning. You’ll be building machine learning models, writing real code, and solving actual AI challenges. You’ll gain practical experience that prepares you for real-world projects.
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Portfolio-Ready Projects Through this training program, you will build a complete set of projects featuring written source code, trained models, and functional solutions. Using these projects as proof of your AI proficiency on job applications or through college application documents supports your overall credentials as an AI practitioner.
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Industry-Recognized Credentials Your USAII® certification is respected by both universities and employers worldwide, signaling genuine AI knowledge that stands out in a competitive job market.
Where Does This Lead? After earning your scholarship and completing your certification by April 2026, the top 250 certified students who qualify in the Pre-Hackathon Competition will advance to the AI National AI Hackathon 2026 in Atlanta, June 20–21, 2026. There is $100,000+ in cash prizes up for grabs, making it a great opportunity to gain recognition at a national level. In addition, connecting with industry leaders, AI experts, and mentors can be a major contributor to progressing your career. Grades 11 and 12 and college STEM students, you have an opportunity to showcase professionalism, connect with high-profile individuals in the field, and build a network that will help you obtain future internships, research opportunities, and career prospects. *While 9th and 10th graders can't attend the 2026 Hackathon, earning your CAIP™ this year sets you up for future opportunities and builds the essential skills for tomorrow's careers.*
Seize the Opportunity—Your AI Future Starts Now The AI NextGen Challenge™ 2026 is your gateway to securing a fully funded AI certification. While there is a nominal participation fee of $49 for grades 9 to 12 students and $88 for college STEM students; depending on your track, it’s a small investment that could unlock access to one of the largest AI scholarship pools in the country. Don’t wait; be part of the next generation of AI innovators today!
