Columbia University Data Science Institute is pleased to announce that the Data Science Institute (DSI) and Data For Good Scholars programs for Spring-Summer 2020 are open for application.

The goal of the DSI Scholars Program is to engage Columbia University’s undergraduate and master’s students in data science research with Columbia faculty through a research internship. The program connects students with research projects across Columbia and provides student researchers with an additional learning experience and networking opportunities. Through unique enrichment activities, this program aims to foster a learning and collaborative community in data science at Columbia.

The Data For Good Scholars program connects student volunteers to organizations and individuals working for the social good whose projects have developed a need for data science expertise. As “real world” problems with real world data, these projects are excellent opportunities for students to learn how data science is practiced outside of the university setting and to learn how to work effectively with people for whom data science sits outside of their subject area.

The cohort of Spring-Summer 2020 projects are ready to accept applications, and can be seen by clicking through those links. To obtain a scroll of all projects, including those from past years, see here. We have created an umbrella application page to collect student applications. DSI Scholars projects have a wide range of duration and can be either paid or unpaid; please read each project description carefully before applying. Data For Good projects are primarily volunteer, although one student in each may be given a stipend to coordinate communication.

Click here to access the umbrella application page.

The collected applications for each position will be sent to the hosting faculty/center/lab for review. The faculty/center/lab will review, identify and notify Scholars that they would like to interview and select for their own projects.

The Data Science Institute encourages women and underrepresented minorities to apply to these programs.

Key dates

The following timetable is subject to adjustments.

  • January 19, 2020
    • [DSI -> Students] Call for applications is sent to students and application website goes live.
  • February 2, 2020
    • [Students -> DSI] Student applications due.
    • [DSI -> Faculty] Applications shared with faculty/center/lab.
  • February 21, 2020 (expected)
    • [Faculty -> DSI] Information of identified Scholars due to DSI.
    • [Faculty -> Student] Email offers of the internship will be sent to students.

Click here for a list of frequently asked questions. We will be constantly updating this list based on inquries we receive.

Please email questions to dsi-scholars@columbia.edu.