Catalyzing New Questions, Innovative Ideas, and Interdisciplinary Dialogue 

Frontiers in Data Science and AI is a new initiative from the Data Science Institute (DSI) designed to spark intellectual exchange, surface emerging research questions, and drive interdisciplinary exploration across the university. 

Each year, we will explore a few timely research themes 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. 

For this inaugural year, DSI invites proposals for programming on the following two themes. The themes below are accompanied by sample questions, any of which could guide or inspire a program agenda. Please note that these are suggestions only and that framing questions could broadly draw from across Columbia’s various fields of study and topical interest.


Reprogramming Life: Algorithmic Revolution in Life Sciences and Healthcare Research

• How can machine learning and AI help us uncover new biological principles from complex data, such as protein folding or gene regulation?

• In an age dominated by black-box models, what does it truly mean to “understand” a living system?

• Can neural or evolutionary models of AI shed light on natural intelligence—and could biological systems, in turn, inspire more interpretable AI?

• What are the implications of using AI to “reprogram” human systems, such as the immune system?

• How will AI in medicine complement human research, clinical intuition, and decision-making?

• How can AI and ML help us rethink strategies for improving public health?



Thinking Machines: Toward Abstraction, Causality, and Common Sense

• What are the mathematical structures underlying reasoning, learning, and decision-making?

• Can we formalize generalization, abstraction, and transfer in precise mathematical terms?

• How do topology, geometry, and logic shape the theoretical landscape of AI?

• Can machines generate and test hypotheses in a scientifically meaningful way?

• How can we integrate uncertainty, causality, and narrative into scientific reasoning powered by AI?

• What does it mean for an AI system to “understand” something—and how can we evaluate that claim?

• How do we test the reliability, replicability, and reproducibility of scientific evidence generated or evaluated by AI?


Submit Proposals

Request for Proposals

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 three or more significant events per semester
  • Culminate in a final showcase or some other type of synthesizing event
  • Has strong potential for development of at least one white paper to facilitate thought leadership on the topic. The Institute can provide white paper writing assistance if needed.
  • 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 programs for the Columbia community.

See eligibility requirements and other details below. Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a final deadline of Sunday, September 21. Please consider applying early. 

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.

Budget 

  • Applicants must submit a detailed budget as a part of their application, which will require Institute approval. 
  • Budgets should be realistic and go entirely towards the development and execution of the proposed programs. 
  • The maximum funding amount per program will be $25,000; the full award amount will be dependent on the complexity and feasibility of programming.

Funding Restrictions

  • 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.
Submit Proposals

Contact Alexis Avedisian, Director of Events and Marketing (aa4598@columbia.edu) for questions or to discuss proposal ideas.

Selection Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated by the DSI Executive Committee based on:

  • Topic area with potential for broad interest
  • Alignment with one of the annual themes
  • Clarity and feasibility of the proposed plan
  • Potential for interdisciplinary and/or public engagement
  • Robust participation and perspectives from relevant stakeholders and audience members

Special consideration will be given to proposals that bridge more than three disciplines, and on topics that are focused on cutting-edge research, with educational applications. 

Please note that some proposals may be conditionally approved with some suggested revisions. These could include revision to intended participants, format of programming, budget scope, and/or timing.

Please see our FAQs for more information.

Action Date/Deadline
RFP distributed Tuesday, August 12
Proposals due Sunday, September 21
Proposal selections announced Starting Friday, September 26
Programming launch Throughout the year

Program updates and reporting will commence in January and continue through the remainder of the academic year.