UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Institute for Computational and Data Sciences (ICDS) is accepting applications from graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and non-tenure track faculty who seek to contribute to collaborative research projects proposed by seasoned University faculty members through the Rising Researcher Collaborations Funding Opportunity.
Applications are due on Wednesday, March 4. Prospective rising researchers — current graduate students who will have passed their comprehensive exams before the project start date, current or incoming postdocs and non-tenure track faculty — should apply via InfoReady.
Through the program, selected rising researchers will form a cohort with shared interests in applying advanced statistical and computational methodologies to enhance the various research projects brought forth by Penn State faculty in a previous stage of the Rising Researchers call. They will also have opportunities to engage in ICDS workshops, training and seminars.
Rising researchers are encouraged to apply to two projects: one that matches their existing research program and one that is outside of their primary domain of expertise. This will support the program’s dual goals: to enable rising researchers to develop, adapt and incorporate state-of-the-art methods into their own research and to share their existing expertise with another research group. Rising researchers will gain experience conducting interdisciplinary research and bring new skills and perspectives back to their primary research group.
Faculty submitted over 100 projects that span a diverse range of topics and would benefit from applying advanced methodologies from one or more of ICDS’ five research hubs: artificial intelligence (AI), quantum, computational and data sciences or digital twins.
Examples of project topics include:
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AI-powered frameworks for evaluating respiratory health impacts of inhaled mineral dust
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Harnessing large language models for gene set function discovery
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Classical algorithms and quantum simulations used to support quantum-enhanced sensing
Interested rising researchers can review proposed projects on the ICDS website and apply to contribute to projects that match their interests and field of expertise.
ICDS will support selected rising researchers by awarding graduate students with stipends equivalent to a graduate research assistantship at the pay grade typical for the student’s department and stage of progress towards their degree, while postdocs and non-tenure track faculty may have part of their salary supported.
Graduate students who are selected to contribute to two projects are eligible for one year of funding while graduate students who are selected to contribute to only one project are limited to one semester — fall 2026, spring or summer 2027. Postdocs and non-tenure track faculty who are selected to contribute to two projects could receive up to six months of their salary funded, while postdocs and non-tenure track faculty who are selected to only contribute to one project will be limited to three months of ICDS support.
To find complete details and to see successful applications from the previous round, visit the ICDS website.