The Data Science Institute supports faculty across the full research lifecycle. 

Through specialized grant support, strategic seed funding, and targeted opportunities, we foster interdisciplinary collaboration and invest in promising ideas to advance Columbia’s research enterprise.

DSI Seed Fund Program: Catalyzing Interdisciplinary Research

DSI invests directly in faculty-led research through our competitive Seed Fund Program. Designed to cultivate new collaborations between data scientists and domain experts, the program promotes interdisciplinary inquiry aligned with university strategic priorities. In 2025, DSI awarded four one-year projects aimed at advancing artificial intelligence (AI), climate, mental health, and social justice. By fostering early-stage research partnerships, DSI aims to build sustained scholarly networks and propel promising ideas toward long-term impact.

Learn more about the DSI Seed Fund Program

Targeted Support for Priority Research Areas

In addition to core funding areas, this year the Institute launched the Frontiers Initiative, a new initiative from DSI which will sponsor faculty-led programming (e.g., panels, hackathons, and more) exploring  timely research themes. The initiative is designed to spark intellectual exchange, surface emerging research questions, and drive interdisciplinary exploration across the university. We will explore a few through a mix of curated programming (e.g. symposia, panel discussions, hackathons and more). DSI’s financial and in-kind support for this programming will empower our community to pursue new directions at the intersection of data science and AI, and our most pressing societal challenges. 

Learn more about DSI’s Frontiers Initiative
Comprehensive Grant Preparation and Management Support

For Columbia’s data science researchers seeking external funding, DSI offers comprehensive support. Our services span the full grant lifecycle, including proposal development, budget formulation, regulatory compliance, sub-award coordination, and interdepartmental alignment. 

From helping junior faculty secure their first grants to assisting accomplished scholars as they manage complex applications for large-scale, multi-year projects, DSI is committed to enabling Columbia researchers to secure critical resources for their work. DSI provides critical infrastructure for scholars across schools and departments to advance research independence, visibility, and long-term academic success.