Applications now being Accepted for the 2026-2027 IDSC Fellows Program through 9/21

August 20, 2026August 28, 2026

Attention: University of Miami graduate students and undergraduate students (sophomore level or above)—Apply Now for the prestigious IDSC Fellows Program. Applications are being accepted through Monday, September 21, by 5:00 PM.

BROCHURE

The IDSC Fellows Program prepares students to become interdisciplinary leaders in data science. Through faculty mentorship and access to the University of Miami’s advanced computing resources, Fellows learn to apply computational methods to research questions that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries.

Eligibility

Each year, the IDSC Fellows Program awards this prestigious designation to six University of Miami students: graduate students and undergraduates at the sophomore level or above. Applicants may come from any school or college and must be in good standing.

IDSC Fellows work under the guidance of two mentors: the student’s Academic or Research Advisor and an IDSC Mentor identified by the IDSC Fellows Selection Committee. All IDSC Fellows will have the opportunity to use the University’s Advanced Computing facilities for their research and to work closely with IDSC faculty and staff. No stipend is offered, but a small cash prize is awarded.

Application Deadline for 2026-2027 is Tuesday, September 21, 2026, by 5:00 PM.

Application Process, Materials, and Timeline

Competitive applicants should have some experience in a computational setting and be able to outline an interdisciplinary project they would like to pursue. Project details do not need to be fully defined at the time of application; however, applicants should clearly state the disciplines that would come together in the project. IDSC will host a launch event to introduce the Fellows to IDSC faculty and staff, and to give the IDSC community an overview of their projects. The event will provide background on each project and summarize the plan of action developed by the Fellow, Research Advisor, and IDSC Mentor. Fellows will give a 5-minute slide presentation outlining their prospective project. At the close of the academic year, the Fellows present their work progress at a spring symposium in April. Fellows will be asked to prepare a 10-minute presentation (with a maximum of 10 slides) for this closing event.

Applicants are required to submit a completed Application Form, accompanied by:

a transcript
a CV, and
a support letter from their Academic Mentor.

The Steering Committee meets within two weeks of the closing of applications to choose the IDSC Fellows. (Announcements will be made no later than Monday, November 3, 2025.)

An announcement detailing selected finalists will be delivered to applicants no later than Monday, October 23, 2026. Additionally, the announcement will be emailed to offices of Undergraduate Research, Graduate Office (UM, Med Sch, RSMAS, CoE, CAS), and to student groups at CoE, CAS, Med School, and RSMAS. Media Relations will help publicize it internally (NEWS@TheU, etc.), and via IDSC social media.

Click here for complete Program Guidelines.

Selection Criteria

Applicants must have sufficient computational skills to get started on the proposed project*.
The proposed project integrates ideas from more than two disciplines, one of which must be new to the student.
Applicants need a support letter from their Academic Adviser or PI.
Applicants should have a well-formulated, achievable research question that is in line with their Academic Mentor’s letter of support.
The Application must be complete, well written, well organized, and thoroughly thought out. Preference will be given to projects where the data is available and ready for analysis.
Previous research experience is not requisite, but is an advantage.
Student must be in good standing with the University.

*Project details need not be clearly defined at the time of application.