Rising Stars in Data Science

Workshop Overview

The Rising Stars in Data Science workshop, hosted November 11-12 by Stanford University in collaboration with the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Chicago, focuses on celebrating and fast tracking the careers of exceptional data scientists at a critical inflection point in their career: the transition to postdoctoral scholar, research scientist, industry research position, or tenure track position. Over the past four years, the Rising Stars workshop has hosted over 130 Rising Stars from nearly 40 institutions. 

This fall, the sixth annual Rising Stars workshop will showcase the exciting, innovative data science initiatives at Stanford University, UC San Diego, and UChicago. This event will provide PhD students and postdocs the opportunity to plug into these networks, platforms, and opportunities. The workshop also aims to broaden access to data science by providing a platform and a supportive mentoring network to navigate academic careers in data science.  All graduate students and postdocs, including those from a wide variety of lived experiences and communities, are encouraged to apply.  Applications are encouraged from all people of all racial, ethnic, geographic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, genders, and persons with disabilities.

The two-day workshop will feature career and research panels, networking and mentoring opportunities, and research talks from the Rising Stars. Participants will gain insights from faculty panels on career development questions such as: how to start your academic career in data science; how to strategically sustain your career through research collaborations, publications, and skill development; and how to form meaningful interdisciplinary collaborations in data science with industry and government partners. Participants will also hear inspiring keynote talks from established, cutting-edge leaders in data science. Accepted participants will be reimbursed up to $1000 for qualified travel expenses.

Schedule Outline

Eligibility & Guidelines

If you have any questions about your eligibility, please send an email to datascience@stanford.edu. 

• Applicants must be full-time graduate students within 1 year of obtaining a PhD, or a current postdoctoral scholar, fellow, or researcher.
• We welcome applicants from a wide variety of fields and backgrounds: any eligible PhD or postdoc who is engaging in rigorous, data-driven inquiry is encouraged to apply.
• Applicants from all institutions, including but not limited to Stanford University, the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Chicago, are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants may only submit one application.
• Applicants may have nominations from a maximum of 2 faculty members or advisors.

Applications are now open! Click here to apply. The deadline to apply is August 1, 2025. Applicants will be notified of their application status no later than September 9.

Application Details 

Workshop Format

• Rising Star research talks
• Panels (career development, data science research)
• Keynote address
• 1:1 meetings with faculty members
• Networking within the Stanford University, UC San Diego, and UChicago data science ecosystems

Virtual Info Session  

Join us on July 17, 9:00 - 10:00 am PDT for an informational session on the 2025 Rising Stars in Data Science workshop. In this session, attendees will learn more about the program, hear from the Universities, and ask questions of past program participants. 

Register to Attend the Info Session