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Board debates AI’s role in grant writing and how to adapt scoring
Summary
Board members and staff discussed how applicants used AI in submissions, how AI affected readability and phase‑identification in proposals, and whether the division should offer applicant and reviewer training to improve outcomes.
Grant reviewers and board members spent a substantial portion of the meeting discussing how artificial intelligence appeared in recent grant proposals and what adjustments the board should make to scoring and applicant support.
Staff noted reviewers frequently encountered AI‑generated text that was either wordy or omitted clear phase details, making it difficult to determine which funding phase or activity an applicant intended. Several reviewers said AI summaries sometimes surfaced odd wording, while others said AI helped them condense long narratives.
Board members proposed several responses: increased evaluator training to detect and interpret AI‑assisted materials; a formal AI learning lab or workshop at the upcoming summit; clearer application prompts (including suggested word limits or phase breakdown fields); and targeted, one‑on‑one assistance for small or rural applicants. Staff said the grants team has already increased one‑on‑one advising this cycle and will explore dedicated AI guidance and applicant training.
No formal policy change was adopted at this meeting; staff will return with recommended operational steps and training materials for both applicants and reviewers in a future session.
