This program is designed to increase the use of data science to foster breakthroughs in disciplinary pursuits making the research team more competitive for external funding. Applications are required to include at least one data scientist from the Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC) and one researcher from a specific discipline. Typically, the disciplinary researcher initiates and leads the project. The IDSC data scientist acts as a high-level consultant to ensure the proposal has enough data science.

Funding

The awards include $20K discretionary funds^[1] and 1M Service Units (SUs) to be used for high performance computing (HPC). It is anticipated that five awards will be made.

Theme

For the 2025-2026 academic year, IDSC seeks proposals that address the following:

• Using data science to improve access to healthcare, and accelerate services and improve healthcare efficiency

Other topics and issues are also welcome. Pre-submission inquiries are encouraged.

In terms of this grant opportunity, data science is defined as utilizing state-of-the-art approaches such as Machine Learning (ML) or Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enable scientific discovery that is data driven. Simply, proposing to analyze large data sets with traditional techniques (e.g., linear regression) is not responsive to this opportunity. Proposals that use AI/ML to develop new understanding are strongly encouraged.

How to Apply

The application process includes two steps:

Step 1:  The disciplinary researcher provides a one-page letter of intent to IDSC outlining the discipline specific research and where data science fits in. Based on the letter of intent, the IDSC review team will identify an IDSC data scientist for collaboration, if the research team has not already identified an IDSC partner.  Apply Now!

Step 2: Upon invitation to advance to Step 2, the research team with assistance from the IDSC data scientist will prepare a two-page proposal that outlines the research and the data science plan. The proposal should also include a short discussion of potential external funding mechanisms that the proposed work can be used to enhance the competitive position of the research team. The application should include an abbreviated one-page biosketch and a budget with justification using the templates included in this announcement. All documents should be combined into a single .pdf.

Eligibility

This funding opportunity is open to UM Faculty with an active IDSC membership.  For more information on IDSC memberships and to apply, visit https://idsc.miami.edu/membership/.

Reporting

The research team is required to submit an interim report midway through the performance period.  The one-page report should include a brief description of the project’s progress and an overview of the financial situation. Upon project completion, the research team will submit a one-page final report detailing any accomplishments attributed to the work of this project (publications, proposal submission(s) for extramural funding, data sets generated, etc.) and give an oral presentation describing the research and results as part of IDSC’s seminar series. Scheduling of the oral presentation will be coordinated by IDSC’s Engagement Office.

Review Process

Applications will be reviewed by the evaluation committee to determine feasibility, relevance to IDSC programs, and in terms of how the proposed research will put the team in a more competitive position for external funding.

Important Information and Deadlines

• Zoom INFO session led by Ben Kirtman: Wednesday, September 10, 2025  at 4:00 pm (30 minutes) | Please register to receive ZOOM link.
• Step 1 – Letters of Intent:  Due by 5:00 PM, Tuesday, September 30, 2025. 
• Invitation to submit full proposal in Step. 2 with identification of an IDSC data scientist partner (if applicable):  October 17, 2025.
• Step 2 – Two-page proposal: Due by 5:00 PM on Friday,  November 21, 2025
• Notice of Award:  On or before December 19, 2025
• Project performance period:  January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026.
• Interim Report Due on June 30, 2026
• Service Units (SU) expire January 31, 2027
• Final Report Due on February 28, 2027
• Oral Presentation of Results Due in Fall 2027/Spring 2028

Review Committee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] Discretionary funds can be used for salary, travel, and other research-related expenditures as outlined in the proposal budget.  Equipment purchases are not allowed.