This program supports the creation of a prototype Open Knowledge
Network — an interconnected network of knowledge graphs supporting a
very broad range of application domains. Open access to shared
information is essential for the development and evolution of artificial
intelligence (AI) and AI-powered solutions needed to address the
complex challenges facing the nation and the world. Knowledge graphs,
which represent relationships among real-world entities, provide a
powerful approach for organizing, representing, integrating, reusing,
and accessing data from multiple structured and unstructured sources
using ontologies and ontology alignment. Currently, private-sector
investments in knowledge graphs power numerous consumer applications
including web search, e-commerce, banking, drug discovery, advertising,
etc. Undertaking a similar but inclusive, open, and community-driven
effort and making use of publicly available data holds the potential to
create a platform that would empower government and non-government users
— fueling evidence-based policymaking, continued strong economic
growth, game-changing scientific breakthroughs, while addressing complex
societal challenges from climate change to social equity.
Projects funded by this program will provide an essential
public-data infrastructure to power the next information revolution
similar to the Internet — transforming our ability to unlock actionable
insights from data by semantically linking information about related
entities.
This Proto-OKN solicitation will support research projects in the following categories:
Theme 1 – Proto-OKN Use Cases: Projects in this
category will develop a knowledge graph or “node” of the Proto-OKN that
will address specific use-case challenges using well-identified data
sets and a user-centric design process to help ensure usability and
sustainability of the effort. Theme 1 Use Case projects will work in
close collaboration with Theme 2 OKN Fabric projects to deploy their use
cases on a common implementation fabric.
Theme 1 proposals may request budgets up to $1.5 million with
durations up to three years. The estimated number of awards is 8 to 10,
subject to availability of funds.
Theme 2 – Proto-OKN Fabric: Projects in this
category will develop and deploy the necessary technologies to provide
an “interconnecting fabric” for the Proto-OKN, to help link knowledge
graphs developed across Theme 1 projects. Theme 2 teams will possess a
strong track record of successful collaborations with technical as well
as non-technical partners and will have the technical expertise
necessary for successful execution. Theme 2 projects will work in close
collaboration with Theme 1 Use Case projects to facilitate use of the
OKN interconnecting fabric that will be created.
Theme 2 proposals may request budgets up to $1.5 million with
durations up to two years. The estimated number of awards is 1 to 2,
subject to availability of funds. One or both Theme 2 projects can be
potentially renewed for an additional two years for a budget up to $2
million, with a goal of creating one overarching OKN fabric.
Theme 3 – Proto-OKN Education and Public Engagement: A
single award will be made in this category for creating educational
materials and tools targeted to the range of constituents who are
expected to be engaged with the Proto-OKN. This includes end-users,
senior executives/decision-makers, technical developers, students at the
graduate, undergraduate, and middle and high school levels, and the
public at large. The Theme 3 team will possess the breadth of expertise
and experience necessary to produce education and training materials
and public engagement content for a broad spectrum of partners. The
Theme 3 grantee will work in close collaboration with Theme 1 and Theme 2
grantees to develop the educational, training, and outreach materials.
Theme 3 proposals may request budgets up to $1.5 million with
durations up to three years. The estimated number of awards is 1,
subject to availability of funds.