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  • Data Science Institute Seed Fund Program

    Proposal Submission Form 2026

  • Important Information

    Thank you for your interest in applying to the DSI Seed Fund Program. We ask that you read the online submission guidelines carefully before making your proposal.

    Find details on the program goals, funding and budget, judging criteria, and more: https://datascience.columbia.edu/research/seed-funds-program/

     

     Proposal Deadline: January 15, 2026 [at 11:59 PM]

    Please Note: There are no limits on any of the form fields. Please provide as much detail as needed to fully answer each question.

    Technical Note: The form may time out in your browser. We suggest preparing your application in advance before filling out the form.

    View or download a PDF of all the questions here.

    • PI Contact Information 
    • Contact Information: Principal Investigators (PIs) and Collaborators

      Eligibility Requirements

      • Each proposal must have a minimum of two Columbia University faculty collaborators who are PI-eligible according to the Columbia University Policy. 
      • Projects should represent new collaborations (PIs have not previously worked together) and new research areas. 
      • Postdoctoral researchers may not serve as a PI for this seed award.
    • Project Overview 
    • Project Overview

       

      Please Note: There are no limits on any of the form fields. Please provide as much detail as needed to fully answer each question.

    • Interdisciplinary Collaboration 
    • Impact 
    • Program Goals

      The DSI Seed Fund Program aims to advance research that brings together data science and domain expertise in new collaborations between Columbia faculty. Our goal is to foster long-term and deep interdisciplinary research relationships across the University, and to drive promising research initiatives forward. 

      The Data Science Institute is currently inviting  new proposals for the Seed Fund Program, focused on  these University strategic priority areas: 

      • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
      • Climate
      • Mental Health
      • Social Justice
    • Project Timeline and Milestones 
    • Budget 
    • Budget

      • Funding Amount: Up to $125,000
      • Funding Period: One year of funding will be awarded (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027) 

      Funding Guidlines

      Funding may be used for, but is not limited to:

      • Operating supplies
      • Equipment
      • Travel directly related to research
      • Publication costs
      • Seed funds may be used to support the hiring of PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and student assistants.

      Restrictions

      Program funding cannot be used for:

      • Faculty salary support, including summer salary support
      • Salary support for DSI Research Scientists. Although DSI Research Scientists can participate on proposal teams, their salary support is already covered by the Institute.
      • Salary support for project partners external to Columbia University

      DSI Seed Fund Budget Template (google sheet)

      DSI Seed Fund Budget Template (PDF)

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    • External Funding Plan 
    • External Funding

      The goal of the Data Science Institute Seeds Fund Program is to support new collaborations that will lead to longer term and deeper relationships among faculty in different disciplines across Columbia University. We expect that this seed money will provide a basis for your team to submit larger proposals, and, we ask that you submit external funding proposals and opportunities related to this research through the Data Science Institute.

    • Additional Information  
    • Additional Information 

      1. CVs for PIs and collaborators (two-page, NSF-style format)
      2. Supporting Materials: Please use the section below to upload any additional materials you would like the review committee to consider. (optional)
      3. Department Administrator Contact Information: Please provide contact information for a department administrator that may help process the seed funding. 
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