NASA Funding Brings AI Aerospace Training to Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will receive $300,000 through a NASA-supported Arizona initiative to develop artificial intelligence curricula and hands-on learning opportunities for aerospace students at its Prescott campus.
The funding is part of a $600,000 NASA grant awarded to the Arizona Space Grant Consortium. The grant will support the three-year Arizona Artificial Intelligence Workforce Development Cooperative, administered by the University of Arizona. Work at Embry-Riddle is expected to begin in fall 2026.
The cooperative was one of 13 proposals selected nationally through NASA’s Space Grant Award Augmentation 2026 competition for AI workforce development. It will connect universities, community colleges, aerospace companies and students to address workforce needs across Arizona.
Dr. Elliott Bryner, associate professor and chair of Embry-Riddle’s Mechanical Engineering Department, will lead the university’s involvement. Faculty from the university’s engineering; business, security and intelligence; and arts and sciences colleges will also participate.
Embry-Riddle plans to pair paid undergraduate students with faculty mentors as courses are developed and refined. Students will provide feedback about the technology, instruction and practical usefulness of the material, with an emphasis on using AI effectively and ethically.
The Prescott campus will also help develop a project-based learning laboratory covering robotics, cybersecurity, data science and other fields requiring AI knowledge.
Recurring workforce workshops will bring together educators, students, project leaders and industry representatives to identify skills gaps. The initiative’s long-term goal is to share its course modules, credentials, faculty training materials and laboratory model with other Arizona colleges and universities.
