Impact Seed Fund: Data and AI for the Public Good

Impact Seed Fund: Data and AI for the Public Good is sponsored by Columbia Data Science Institute. Supports Columbia researchers working on data and AI projects with direct, meaningful benefits for New York City communities in partnership with New York City agencies.

Impact Seed Fund - The Data Science Institute at Columbia University DSI x NYC Impact Seed Fund: Data and AI for the Public Good Research that Moves the Needle and New York City Forward The Columbia Data Science Institute Impact Seed Fund supports Columbia researchers working on data and AI projects with direct, meaningful benefits for New York City communities in partnership with New York City agencies.

Matching Columbia Expertise with New York City Needs New York City government agencies are solving complex, data-rich challenges every day, and they need the help of University researchers who can deliver impartial analysis and technical expertise that many agencies don’t have in-house.

In exchange for this assistance, researchers can access real-world data, and the opportunity to publish findings that matter, all while benefitting New Yorkers across the five boroughs. DSI is partnering with Pilot City on Pitchfest – a matchmaking program that pairs city agency staff with funded support from University faculty and civic fellows on high-impact projects.

The Pitchfest NYC model has previously matched Columbia researchers with agencies to develop solutions that better the lives of New Yorkers. Funded through a range of philanthropies, PilotCity is making $500,000 available to support academic collaborations with partner agencies.

Proven at Scale, Powered by DSI This year, Columbia DSI is providing a dedicated funding pool of up to $300,000 for Columbia researchers to participate in projects with a data science and AI focus. From predictive analytics to machine learning, the problems facing New York City require data-driven solutions. Columbia researchers have the precise skills and expertise required to drive impact and move the needle.

The DSIxNYC Impact Seed Fund unleashes the power of the Columbia University data science and AI research community to find solutions to move New York City forward. From Research to Real Policy and Action Projects funded through this initiative are structured to influence agency programs, policies and operations within six months from selection.

Every funded project must demonstrate a clear path from findings to decision-making – ensuring that faculty researchers’ intellectual output translates directly into better service to benefit communities across the City. The DSI x NYC Impact Seed Fund operates as a supplementary funding pool within the broader PilotCity: New York Pitchfest program.

Columbia faculty who are matched with a City agency are eligible for DSI support in addition to the program’s standard pitchfest grants. PilotCity will provide up to a $40,000 project maximum for each awarded agency-research match.

DSI will review the range of projects and projected budgets for particular projects and are willing to provide up to $75,000 per project for funding data science or AI related projects that are matched with a city agency. This will either supplement funding for awarded PilotCity matches, or separately fund projects that were not awarded through PilotCity.

This will be a competitive process and not all applications will result in funding. DSI funding must go to direct project costs to support research costs, data infrastructure, personnel (such as Masters or PhD students or postdoctoral researchers), and deliverable development. Please note that PI salaries are not eligible for funding.

Project Duration: Meaningful Outcomes, Rapidly All funded projects must be designed to produce actionable findings within a six-month window, and must include a clear plan for influencing agency programs, policies, or operations before the period closes. Built for Columbia faculty ready to collaborate.

A Columbia University faculty member with Principal Investigator (PI status) Special preference will be given to core members of the Data Science Institute Project leverages data science and/or artificial intelligence methods Project meets PilotCity criteria for the Pitchfest program PI is matched with a willing city agency staff member established through the Pitchfest program Commitment and ability to demonstrate meaningful outcomes within a six month time frame from selection Agreement to make any IP generated open source Sign a COI Disclosure and participation agreement From Pitchfest to Funded Project in Five Steps.

Agency pitches submitted. NYC agency staff submit two-minute project pitches. Columbia faculty can preview the list of participating agencies and challenges, which will be posted on the Pitchfest website on May 15.

RSVP here for the May 21st event – register early, last year the event reached capacity. Attend Pitchfest at NYU Tandon’s Pfizer Auditorium and learn more about the projects where New York City can use your help. This is your opportunity to identify projects where your data science and AI expertise is most relevant.

Express Interest in Specific Projects Faculty will be invited to submit an online application describing your interest and relevant experience for specified agency pitches. The Pitchfest team will assemble shortlists for agency review. The Pitchfest team will also provide Columbia DSI with a list of projects where Columbia faculty have expressed interest and DSI will review those applications as a part of the supplemental funding pool.

Agency-Faculty Matches Confirmed Agency staff interview shortlisted experts and select their research partners. DSI will be notified of matches that have been made between Columbia faculty and city agencies that are eligible for supplemental funding. Step 5: By August 14, 2026 DSI x NYC Impact Seed Fund Application Submitted Matched agency-faculty pairs jointly submit a funding application.

Criteria for selection for DSI Impact Seed Funding will be focused on clarity of outcomes, quality of data science and AI with each project, methodological soundness, policy impact, potential and novelty. Decisions for the DSI x NYC Impact Seed Fund will be issued in mid-September. Ready to put Columbia expertise to work for New York?

Columbia Faculty: Your city is waiting for you. If you are a Columbia faculty researcher with PI eligible status, expertise in data science, AI, machine learning or related fields, the DSIxNYC Impact Seed Fund is your on-ramp to partnering with New York City government. Start by registering for Pitchfest: New York City on May 21 – it is free and open to all Columbia faculty and the first step towards a funded collaboration.

Register : pitchfestnewyorkcity. eventbrite. com Questions on DSI X NYC Impact Seed Fund : dsi-seed@columbia.

edu General Inquiries on Pitchfest: info@pilot. city New York City | May 21, 2026 Pfizer Auditorium, NY Tandon 5 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY