This legislation, titled the "Growing University AI Research for Defense Act" or the "GUARD Act," authorizes the Secretary of Defense to establish at least one National Security and Defense Artificial Intelligence Institute. These institutes will be hosted at eligible institutions, specifically senior military colleges, and will concentrate on foundational science and cross-cutting challenges for artificial intelligence systems within the national security and defense sector. Their primary objective is to create or enhance innovation ecosystems, translating research into practical applications and products to bolster national security and defense capabilities. The institutes are designed to foster partnerships among a diverse range of public and private organizations, including federal agencies, institutions of higher education, and industry, including the Defense Industrial Base. The Secretary of Defense may award competitive, merit-based financial assistance for five-year periods, renewable once, to support these institutes. Funds can be used for managing data sets, developing testbeds, conducting research, providing computing resources, and crucially, for workforce development in AI-related disciplines, with all financial assistance limited to U.S.-based entities.