*Scholarship Worth $12.3+ Million
The AI Education Impact 2026
2,000+
Schools and Colleges to Partner
20,000
Students eligible for scholarships
200,000+
Students benefiting from AI education
US $100,000
Total prize pool available
The AI NextGen Challenge™ 2026 empowers high school, undergraduate, and graduate students across the United States with AI education, global certifications, and innovation opportunities for future careers in the Artificial Intelligence technology.
This program awards 100% AI certification scholarships to top-performing students and culminates in a National AI Hackathon in Atlanta, GA, in June 2026.
Four-Phase Enablement Journey
Phase 1 | Registration of Schools or Colleges
Each participating school or college/university registers students to join the AI NextGen Challenge™ and unlock access to USAII® scholarship and certification opportunities.
Phase 2 | Online Scholarship Test
Registered students take the USAII® Online Scholarship Test. Based on merit, the top 10 performers per school or college qualify for 100% AI certification scholarships.
Phase 3 | USAII® Certification Tracks
Scholarship winners begin USAII® certification programs – CAIP-Advanced™ for high-school students and CAIE™ for undergraduates – gaining AI skills, projects, credentials, and global learning exposure.
Phase 4 | AI NextGen National Hackathon 2026
The top certified students nationwide advance to Atlanta for the AI NextGen National Hackathon 2026, competing for $100,000 in prizes, mentorship, and national recognition.
Scholarship Tracks
Each participating school/college/university is required to register students for the online test, from which 10% of top-performing students will be selected. USAII® will award 100% scholarships to these selected students – enabling them to pursue USAII’s globally recognized AI certifications at no cost**.
Apply for Scholarship-
Certified Artificial Intelligence Prefect (CAIP™)
An advanced track covering applied machine learning, neural networks, and hands-on AI innovation.
Student Participation Fee - US $49
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Certified Artificial Intelligence Engineer (CAIE™)
An advanced track covering applied machine learning, Gen AI, advanced LLMs, MLOps, RAG, ML Architecture, and more.
Student Participation Fee - US $88
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Student Benefits
100% AI Scholarship
Get fully funded access to USAII® certification programs
Career & Internship Readiness
Gain early exposure to real-world AI concepts, project-based learning, and data literacy.
Globally Recognized AI Certification
Earn the prestigious credential from USAII®, respected by universities and employers worldwide.
Learning Flexibility
100% online, self-paced, with interactive assessments, eBooks, and recorded expert sessions
Networking with Industry Leaders
Engage with AI experts, recruiters, and technology leaders during AI Hackathon.
Cash Prizes & Awards
Win up to $25,000 per team ($100,000 total prize pool) in the AI Hackathon in June 2026.
Career Counselling & Mentorship
Attend career guidance sessions led by USAII® advisors and industry mentors.
National Recognition
Top students advance to represent their school at the AI NextGen National Hackathon 2026 in Atlanta.
Community Access
Become part of the global USAII® AI Learners Network, connecting with peers, mentors, and innovators across the world.
AI NextGen National Hackathon 2026
The AI NextGen Challenge™ culminates in a National-Level AI Hackathon to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 20-21, 2026.
From thousands of students across partner schools, colleges, and universities, the top 250 innovators will be selected to represent the nation’s brightest AI talent. They will form 50 dynamic teams, each consisting of five students, to solve real-world problems using AI.
This grand finale event will showcase creativity, teamwork, and the transformative potential of AI in education, healthcare, the environment, and society.
Total Cash Prizes: $100,000
Over $100,000 in total prizes and nationwide recognition for the brightest young innovators in AI.
Apply for ScholarshipJoin hands to build the AI Future by sponsoring the AI NextGen Challenge™. For more information, get the sponsorship guide.
Download Sponsorship GuideFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Who can apply for the AI NextGen Challenge™ Scholarship Program?
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Is school or college registration mandatory to participate?
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What certifications are included in the scholarship program?
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What is the participation fee for the scholarship selection test?
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How are scholarship winners selected?
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What does the scholarship include?
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What is the AI Hackathon and how can I qualify?
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When and where is the National AI Hackathon Finals?
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What are the cash prizes for the winners?
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What if not enough students qualify from an institution?
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What is the format of the AI Scholarship Test?
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Do I need to know programming before applying?
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Can I apply if I am not from a STEM background?
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Is the registration fee refundable if I do not qualify?
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Can international or non-US students apply?
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How can organizations or universities become sponsors or partners?
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