Request for Proposals

Catalyzing New Questions, Innovative Ideas, and Interdisciplinary Dialogue 

Deadline: Sunday, September 27, 2026 (11:59 PM ET)

Eligibility: Full-time faculty, senior research scientists, and research scientists.

Submit Application

The Data Science Institute invites Columbia faculty and researchers 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 spotlights a set of timely themes and supports faculty-led symposia, panels, workshops, hackathons, and other formats that advance scholarship.  To support faculty and researchers in developing this dynamic programming, DSI awards up to $25,000 for program execution and provides in-kind logistical support. 

DSI currently welcomes proposals on two themes for 2027: The Future of Evidence in the Age of AI and The Algorithmic City. These themes are accompanied by optional sample questions that may help shape a program agenda, but applicants 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 of Sunday, September 27, 2026 (11:59 PM ET).

---

Progam Goals

Eligibility Requirements | Program Timing | Budget | Funding Restrictions

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.

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 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 (aa4598@columbia.edu).
• 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 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 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).

Please see our FAQs for more information.

Submit Application