NextGenAI consortium includes Oxford, MIT, and Harvard, offering grants, compute funding, and API access.

OpenAI has announced a $50 million grant program to support academic research in AI, funding a new consortium called NextGenAI. The initiative will provide grants, computing resources, and API access to students, educators, and researchers at 15 top universities, including Harvard, Oxford, and MIT.

In a blog post, OpenAI described NextGenAI as a way to fuel AI-driven discoveries while preparing the next generation of researchers. The company highlighted its role in advancing breakthroughs in medicine, social sciences, and AI development itself.

This move comes amid growing uncertainty over AI research funding in the U.S. Recent reports indicate the Trump administration has dismissed AI-focused employees at the National Science Foundation (NSF), raising concerns about federal support for the field.

OpenAI, however, is not a neutral player. By embedding its tools in university research, it aims to cement its dominance over competitors, including open-source alternatives. While NextGenAI could accelerate critical AI work, some experts worry about the long-term implications of corporate influence in academic research.

The first round of grants will be distributed in the coming months, with OpenAI hinting at possible expansion based on initial results.