The Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC) “Expanding the Use of Collaborative Data Science at UM” grants 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 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.
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. 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. 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 could 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 linked in this announcement. |
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Eligibility
This funding opportunity is open to UM Faculty with an active IDSC membership. For more information on IDSC memberships and to apply, visit 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 will 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
• INFO Session via ZOOM (Register to receive ZOOM link) led by Dean Ben Kirtman | Friday, September 4, 2026 @3:00 PM (:30 min.)
• Step 1 Letters of Intent due by 5:00 PM on Friday, September 25, 2026
• Invitation to submit full proposal in Step 2 with identification of an IDSC data scientist partner (if applicable) Friday, October 16, 2026
• Step 2 two-page proposal due by 5:00 PM on Friday, November 20, 2026
• Notice of Award on or before Friday, December 18, 2026
• Project performance period: January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2027
• Interim Report due on Wednesday, June 30, 2027
• Service Units (SU) expire on Monday, January 31, 2028
• Final Report due on Sunday, February 29, 2028
• Oral Presentation of Results due in fall 2028/spring 2029
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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.
