Catalyzing New Questions, Innovative Ideas, and Interdisciplinary Dialogue 

The Data Science Institute invites Columbia faculty, research scientists, and senior research scientists to submit proposals for new programming as part of Frontiers in Data Science and AI, a university-wide initiative designed to catalyze interdisciplinary inquiry and surface emerging research questions. Each year, Frontiers will spotlight a set of timely themes and support faculty-led symposia, panels, workshops, hackathons, and other formats that advance scholarship across schools and disciplines.

Through both financial and in-kind support, Frontiers can help you launch new intellectual exchanges, test ideas that cut across fields, and convene collaborators around pressing challenges at the intersection of data science and AI. If you have a concept that could benefit from institutional backing, whether exploratory, convening-based, experimental, or cross-school, DSI encourages you to apply.

DSI currently welcomes proposals on the theme listed below. This theme is accompanied by optional sample questions that may help shape a program agenda, but faculty are encouraged to frame their ideas broadly and draw from the full range of Columbia’s research strengths. Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a final submission deadline to be announced.

Contact Alexis Avedisian, Director of Events and Marketing (aa4598@columbia.edu) for questions.


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?


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 events per semester, or two or more large scale events (e.g. full day symposia or conference)
  • 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 format suggestions in the FAQ section.

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.

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 helpful infographic 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. 
  • 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.

Selection Criteria & Timeline

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.
Action Date/Deadline
RFP Distributed Date of Next Launch (Spring 2026)
Proposals Due Date of Next Deadline (Spring 2026)
Executive Committee Review Period [Two Weeks Following Deadline]
Awardees Notified Starting [Two Weeks from Review Period]
Program Planning Timeline See Infographic
Programming Launch Following Semester

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.