Program Details

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Applications for the next cohort are due by 10 June 2024 at 5pm PDT. Decisions are expected in August 2024.

Data Science Scholars

Data Science Scholars are a select group of current Stanford PhD students from all disciplines who contribute to data-intensive science, whether through discoveries using data science (in the traditional sciences or other fields) or through enhanced data-science techniques (via computational, statistical or mathematical research, for example). Over their two-year period in the program, Scholars are provided with 50% of their compensation to support their research and with a variety of opportunities to take advantage of this unique multidisciplinary group. These include: regular meetings for discussion of individual research and other topics of relevance; a working space for individuals or spontaneous groups; and more ambitious projects (substantially relying on the Scholars’ own ideas) to advance data science for the community at Stanford and beyond.

The Scholars’ program (and a parallel program for select PostDocs) are contributing to the future of data-intensive science, most directly by enabling this select group of participants to make extra progress in their research, which includes topics of vital importance to our future. In addition, experience has shown that bringing the Scholars together generates a range of valuable interactions. Individuals find others whose ideas and research directions mesh productively, in addition to just meeting kindred spirits. Teams of scholars organize group discussions of important topics — technical, professional or behavioral.  And the group as a whole contributes to community-building projects.  For all these reasons, interactions through the weekly meetings are an essential component of the program.

Scholars are chosen according to an evaluation of their likely contribution to the program through their research and their involvement in the Scholars’ community. (For details see the Candidate Application section below.)

Stanford Data Science (SDS) is part of the university's long-range plan that aims to make Stanford a data-enabled university. SDS works to accelerate data-driven discoveries across the university so that we can most effectively respond to our most pressing societal and research challenges. Stanford Data Science Scholars play a pivotal role in developing a diverse community of researchers who are at the forefront of developing and applying modern data science methods to all fields of scholarship.

Funding, Benefits, and Eligibility

To be considered for this opportunity, candidates must be current PhD students who have finished their qualifying exams¹ and with at least two years left in their program in any of Stanford University’s Schools, departments, or research organizations. Scholars are provided with 50% of their compensation (RA'ship, salary, benefits and/or fees) over two years beginning in the Fall Quarter of the year of admission. Funding for the second year is conditional upon the scholar’s adequate participation during the first year in line with the criteria for selection.

These funds will not supplement current compensation but rather will replace 50% of a Scholar's current compensation allowing for half of the scholar's time to be spent with SDS. A candidate’s advisor must sign off on this arrangement before finalizing. On a case-by-case basis, we will consider candidates who will be at Stanford for less than two years.

In addition to funding support, SDS provides a common working space, mentorship opportunities, and an energetic atmosphere that encourages innovative thinking.  Scholars have excellent opportunities to develop close relationships and research developments with a strong cohort of experts from a variety of domains and method fields enabling new insights from subject areas far outside of their own experience. The new cohort will also have the opportunity to work with the cohort continuing from the previous year to help shape the future of the program, and of the wider data science efforts across campus.

Scholars are students in a very wide range of disciplines, from research in computational and statistical methods to traditional sciences such as physics, astronomy or biology to any field where valid learning from data is needed. The diversity of backgrounds has proved very rewarding for participants and is one of our goals for this community. Successful candidates contribute to and benefit from the Scholars’ community. You can view current and past scholars on our website to see the different disciplines represented.

Candidate Application: Criteria and Procedure

Eligible candidates, as described above, can apply by submitting a CV, letter of intent (LOI) and optional additional material as detailed below. 

Criteria

To qualify for selection, the LOI needs to address each of three criteria for Scholars:

  1. Planned research: 
    What are the goals of your research? How do they relate to the broader goals of the discipline?  How are they related to overall data-intensive research?  (This last can be quite different for different fields, as explained below.)
  2. Benefits from participating in the Scholars’ community:
    The SDS scholars and fellows form a unique community of motivated and cooperative researchers from an extremely diverse range of disciplines.  How will you take advantage of this?  For researchers applying data science techniques, this can be in extending your capabilities; for researchers in the techniques themselves (e.g., computer science and statistics), the benefit can be a deeper understanding of the science, in general, or for particular areas. 

    Think seriously about this aspect – it’s key to the value of being a Scholar.
  3. Contribution to the Scholars’ community and beyond:
    The Scholars are key contributors to building their own joint community, the broader Stanford community, and beyond, through information, education, and other outreach. These activities have current benefits and build for the future.  Tell us about relevant activities and interests of yours, past, current, and planned for.

Application Procedure

To apply, please prepare the following and fill in the form linked on the main program page to submit:

  1. Letter of Intent - no more than two pages, 1” margins, 12 point font, single-spaced following the guidelines above.
  2. CV
  3. Optional: We strongly encourage you to provide links to any publicly accessible code and visualizations that you have developed and/or articles or websites that describe efforts that you have led.
  4. Optional: Letter of recommendation from your advisor for your application and for the overall plan for Scholars’ activities.  Any comments on your qualifications will be helpful, but we are not asking for a detailed assessment. Have your faculty advisor(s) upload their letter here (https://forms.gle/VsKBZcufZArVbA9p9)

The application period is generally April - May each year and will be announced specifically on the website during that period. 

We expect final decisions in mid-summer and the selected Stanford Data Science Scholars will begin at the start of the Fall quarter of the next academic year.

 Criteria for Continuing in the Program

Second-year participation in the program is contingent upon a review at the end of the first year.

Participation in the joint activities each quarter, in particular the weekly meetings, is critical to the overall value of the Scholars’ program.  Special opportunities may arise for individuals that will take them away temporarily.  To accommodate these events, scholars may ask to “pause” their participation temporarily, on a single-quarter basis.  If approved, the individual will rejoin the program in the next quarter.  Financial support will be reduced corresponding to the absence.

Summary

Benefits:

  • 50% financial support for up to two years (usually a 25% RA'ship/TA'ship, or Stipend)
  • Additional $2,000 / year research support stipend
  • Coworking space, including monitors and standing desks, with Data Science Scholars
  • Connection with faculty, students and post-docs involved in Stanford Data Science
  • Help shape the future of data science at Stanford
  • Build a life-long community of data science practitioners using advanced techniques to conduct breakthrough research

Requirements:

  • Work on your data science-related research projects
  • Regular attendance in weekly scholar’s seminars, events & lectures (currently, Wednesday mornings)
  • Participation and leadership in various campus-wide data science activities and projects

Optional:

  • Field trips to local data science-oriented companies and nonprofits
  • Work with Research Data Scientists and Software Engineers on campus to create and extend open-source research software

    Âą We understand that not every department requires qualifying exams by the end of your first year. If you have not taken your qualifying exam(s) or papers, but have successfully completed your first year, please feel free to apply and note in your CV the estimated date by when you expect to complete your department's qualification requirements. Please have at least two years left in your PhD program as of Fall quarter start date.