Through the DSI working group program, we seek to fund researchers to learn and work - together - on next-generation problems at the interface of Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and different application areas with the hope of stimulating conversations that will lead to impactful research. These groups can be any form of discussion, reading, or working group. We hope these groups will help the community identify and explore areas of common interest and encourage interaction in a low-stress atmosphere. We also hope these groups will give trainees the opportunity to lead and chart their own learning.
Data Science Institute
Data Science / Machine Learning / AI Working Groups
The Data Science Institute supports working groups program exploring some aspect of data science, machine learning, AI, and their intersection with other disciplines. Start or join a DSI working group:
Data Science / Machine Learning / AI Working Groups
The Data Science Institute supports working groups program exploring some aspect of data science, machine learning, AI, and their intersection with other disciplines. Start or join a DSI working group:
Fall 2026 Call for Proposals
The Data Science Institute is once again inviting proposals for working groups exploring some aspects of data science, machine learning, AI, and their intersection with other disciplines.
The Data Science Institute invites proposals for working groups exploring some aspects of data science, machine learning, AI, and their intersection with other disciplines. These groups can be any form of discussion, reading, or working group. We hope these groups will help the community identify and explore areas of common interest and encourage interaction in a low-stress atmosphere. We also hope these groups will give trainees the opportunity to lead and chart their own learning.
Requirements
- At least three committed individual participants (working groups can include any combination of faculty, grad students, and undergrads, though undergraduate students will not be eligible for research funds. Staff members can also submit proposals so long as at least one faculty or grad student has committed to participate).
- At least two participants should be from different Departments/disciplines to encourage interdisciplinarity.
- At least one meeting per month (four meetings over the course of the spring semester; can go into the summer).
- At least one member of your group will come to share insights from your discussion at a lunch event in late fall 2026.
We strongly encourage groups to be of broad interest and to be open to the larger Brown community.
Note: To ensure we can support new initiatives across our community, this funding cycle is reserved for first-time DSI Working Group applicants.
Group leaders should submit this working group proposal form by Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
If your proposed plan is accepted, the faculty or grad student organizer will receive $500 in research funds for use from October 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. Funds can be used towards:
- Books and media
- Food and refreshments
- Guest speakers travel
DSI can help provide meeting spaces for working groups. Contact Aevyn Barnett (aevyn_barnett@brown.edu) to book spaces at DSI.
Please contact dsi-info@brown.edu for any questions about this program.
Fall 2026 Working Groups
Accepted fall groups will be posted here in October
To join an existing working group:
Please contact group leaders directly to join a group; fall groups will be posted here in October.