Government offers prize money for AI breakthroughs in five areas.
H.R. 9506 — To amend the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 to require the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish a prize competition program relating to artificial intelligence, and for other purposes. · Filed by Nicholas Begich (R-AK) · 1 cosponsor · Introduced Jun 29, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
The bill sets up a prize contest run by the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The government will give cash prizes to researchers and firms that solve hard AI problems. The problems cover five areas: microelectronics, quantum computing, cyber safety, border safety, and power use. The program lasts five years. Winners and results will be reported to the public.
Who it affects
Research groups and tech firms can enter the contests to win prize money. Schools and labs that work on AI will have a chance to compete. The public will see reports about who won and what they built.
One thing to notice
The Director picks which AI problems matter most with little check from Congress after the law passes.
From the analysis of the bill text, linked under Primary records below.
Where it stands
1 cosponsor: 1 Republicans.
- Jun 29, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
- Jun 29, 2026 — Referred to House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology”
Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.
Words to know
- Office of Science and Technology Policy — The part of the government that advises the President on science and tech.
- microelectronics — Tiny computer chips and the tech that makes them work.
- quantum computing — A new type of computer that solves very hard problems fast.
How this was measured
Analysis — Quorum's AI read the full bill text on Jul 2, 2026; transparency and hidden-provision scores are compared against the median of 14,707 analysed bills.
Status and sponsors — Congress.gov's bill record — actions, committee referrals and cosponsors — loaded nightly. The timeline shows status changes, not every procedural action.
As of — page rendered 2026-09-23.
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