Frontiers in Data Science and AI is a university-wide initiative that surfaces emerging research questions meant to spark topical exchanges across disciplines.
Each year, the executive committee of the Data Science Institute identifies a set of timely, yet broad, themes at the edge of what data science and AI can currently address and issues a request for proposals (RFP). The Institute supports faculty-designed and led programming — symposia, panels, workshops and other experimental formats — that cut across disciplines and bring new intellectual combinations together.
Themes are broad by design with the intention to solicit proposals from a wide array of disciplines. The goal is to foster collaboration and intellectual exchange across Columbia’s community as they consider how data science and AI are transforming their fields. DSI envisions creating conditions for new research collaborations through this initiative – by lowering friction for convening, providing backing for exploratory ideas, and making visible the questions that no single department or researcher is positioned to address alone.
Themes for 2027
DSI is currently welcoming proposals around two new themes: The Future of Evidence in the Age of AI and The Algorithmic City.
Deadline: Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 (11:59 PM ET)
Eligibility: Full-time faculty, senior research scientists, and research scientists.
The Algorithmic City
Examining how AI is reshaping urban life, governance, infrastructure, and civic participation.
The Future of Evidence in the Age of AI
Exploring how we define, authenticate, and sustain trust in information when AI can generate both truth and falsity at scale.
Reprogramming Life
Algorithmic Revolution in Life Sciences and Healthcare Research.
Thinking Machines
Toward abstraction, causality, and common sense.
Program Goals
Proposed programming should support the Institute’s interdisciplinary mission by fostering vibrant communities, creating space for exchange of knowledge and insights, and promoting collaborative research with potential for future funding.
To achieve our goals, we are seeking proposals for programming that:
- Span at least one semester, with a cadence of 2-3 small to midsize events (e.g. workshops or panel discussions for 50-100 people) per semester, or 1-2 large scale events (e.g. full day symposia or conference for 100+ people)
- Proposals should demonstrate strong potential for thought leadership outputs, including white papers, executive summaries, briefings, or related engagements.
- Demonstrates potential for co-sponsorship with other campus entities (schools, institutes and centers)
Proposals can include a wide range of programming including: seminars, workshops, conferences, hackathons or other events for the Columbia community. See format suggestions in the FAQ section below.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Eligibility Requirements
- Columbia University full-time faculty, research scientists and senior research scientists.
- At this time, PhD students and postdoctoral fellows are not eligible to apply, although they are eligible to join a proposal team led by a full-time faculty, research scientist or senior research scientist.
Program Timing
- Proposals should include a detailed timeline, including proposed dates for event execution.
- Please see a FAQ below of the program planning process to shape your proposal and gauge availability of collaborators to participate in planning.
Budget
- Applicants must submit a detailed budget as a part of their application, which will require Institute approval. Please see a sample budget via Google Sheets or Excel (download). If you have any questions on developing your proposed budget, please reach out to Alexis Avedisian, DSI’s Director of Events.
- Budgets should be realistic and go entirely towards the development and execution of the proposed programs.
- The maximum funding amount per accepted proposal will be $25,000; the full award amount will be dependent on the complexity and feasibility of programming.
Funding
- PI salaries are not eligible costs, although in some instances salary support for a student worker will be considered, depending on the breadth of the program.
- Non-Columbia students are not eligible for salary coverage.
Selection Criteria & Timeline
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Topic area with potential for broad interest
- Alignment with one of the annual themes
- Clarity and feasibility of the proposed plan
- Robust participation and interdisciplinary perspectives from relevant stakeholders
- Special consideration will be given to proposals that bridge more than three disciplines, and on topics that are focused on emerging research, and/or external engagement opportunities
Selected proposals will undergo program framing and alignment in collaboration:
- DSI will work with awardees to help shape the programming, which may include revisions to intended participants, program format, budget scope, timing, and integration with related opportunities across the Institute.
- Following the event series, awardees are expected to participate in post-program synthesis with the DSI team to identify high-potential outputs and future opportunities. This may include awardees completing a short post-program report and/or attending a series of meetings to discuss next steps, emerging collaborations, and the development of specific outputs (such as white papers or research directions).
Who can submit a proposal?
PhD students, postdocs, and associate research scientists may participate as collaborators. Proposers are expected to stay actively engaged throughout planning and execution.
What kind of programming is eligible?
Many formats are welcome, including seminar series, hackathons/datathons, panel discussions, research roundtables, symposia/workshops, and full-day conferences. If you’re unsure about format, our events team can help; what matters most are your core ideas, goals, and thematic focus. You’re also welcome to contact Alexis Avedisian, Director of Events ([email protected]), to talk through ideas. Proposals may be approved with suggestions for refinement or opportunities to collaborate with complementary proposers.
What are the differences between event formats?
- Seminar series: Single speaker per session, 60–90 min, on a recurring schedule.
- Hackathons/datathons: Multi-hour or multi-day team events with a shared challenge and final presentations.
- Panel discussions: 3–5 speakers in a moderated conversation (60–75 min) with audience Q&A.
- Research roundtables: Small-group discussions featuring short talks or a guided conversation.
- Symposia/workshops: Half-day programs mixing talks, panels, demos, and breakout sessions.
- Full-day conferences: High-capacity, multi-session events with keynotes and posters. Note: these require significant lead time and will use a large portion of the available Frontiers budget.
How can funds be used?
Each selected proposal is funded up to $25,000. Eligible expenses include travel and lodging for guests, catering, and event costs such as venue rental, AV, and materials. Honoraria are generally not supported but may be considered case by case. Salary support for PIs is not eligible; limited student worker salary support may be considered for larger programs. DSI handles publicity and marketing directly, so those costs don’t need to be budgeted. A sample budget is available via Google Sheets or Excel (download).
How many proposals will be funded?
This depends on the annual budget and the amount approved per proposal.
How does the refinement process work?
Proposals may be conditionally approved with recommendations around participants, format, budget, timing, or connections to other Institute initiatives, aimed at maximizing impact and alignment with DSI priorities.
What's the planning timeline after a proposal is awarded?
Prior semester — planning:
- Weeks 1–2: Kickoff meeting with the DSI events team
- Weeks 2–3: Identify dates and confirm collaborator availability
- Weeks 4–5: Finalize program dates
- Weeks 6–9: Invite and confirm speakers; draft agendas; initial budget review
- Week 10: Lock in event details, speaker materials, and travel
Following semester — execution:
- Weeks 1–2: Book venues, confirm AV/room setup, and align budget
- Weeks 2–3: Open registration and begin marketing
- Ongoing: Finalize catering, signage, and day-of logistics
- Program runs throughout the semester with DSI events team support