The Applied Data Intelligence (ADI) Initiative supports collaborative student–faculty research projects that incorporate substantive quantitative data analysis.
Funded through the Quantitative Experiential Learning Fund (QELF), these grants provide opportunities for students and faculty to work as co-investigators or co-creators on scholarly projects.
Project Eligibility
Eligible projects must involve substantive quantitative data analysis and engage a student and faculty member as equal partners in the research process. Both participants should make substantial contributions at every stage of the project, from its initial design through the development and dissemination of its outcomes.
Projects are expected to produce work suitable for scholarly dissemination, such as a manuscript, conference presentation, exhibition, or other scholarly output.
Research projects are expected to take place in the summer and should last approximately eight weeks, allowing students and faculty to dedicate concentrated time to their collaborative work.
Available Funding
QELF provides the following support for eligible projects:
- Faculty stipend: up to $500/week
- Student stipend: $450/week plus summer on-campus housing for eight weeks
- Research supplies and materials: up to $2000
Application Deadlines
- February 12, 2027 for Summer 2027 projects
Click below for more application information
Application Instructions
All grant applicants must complete the “Applied Data Intelligence (ADI) Grant Application Form” and the “ADI Grant Budget Form,” available for download below.
All application materials must be submitted to Dana Somers at somersd@dickinson.edu by the deadlines stated above. The proposals will be reviewed by a subcommittee.
Download Application & Budget Form:
Application deadline: February 12, 2027 for Summer 2027 projects
For more information contact: Dana Somers, Director of Quantitative Reasoning Center (somersd@dickinson.ed)
Award Criteria
Each grant application will be evaluated by a panel of faculty and staff and will be evaluated based on the following criteria
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Intellectual merit: The significance of the research question, the quality of the proposed approach, and the potential to contribute to scholarship or creative inquiry.
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Integration of quantitative data analysis: The extent to which quantitative data analysis is central to the research questions, methodology, and anticipated outcomes, rather than serving a supplementary role.
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Student–faculty collaboration: The extent to which the project provides meaningful opportunities for students and faculty to serve as co-investigators or co-creators, with substantial intellectual contributions from both participants throughout the research process.
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Student learning and development: The potential for the project to strengthen the student's quantitative reasoning, data analysis, research, and scholarly communication skills.
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Feasibility: The clarity and appropriateness of the research plan, including the proposed methodology, timeline, available resources, and likelihood of achieving meaningful outcomes within the eight-week research period.
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Potential for scholarly dissemination: The potential to produce research or creative work suitable for dissemination through publications, conference presentations, exhibitions, or other appropriate scholarly outlets.
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Appropriateness of the budget: The extent to which requested funds are reasonable, justified, and necessary to accomplish the proposed research, without duplicating support from other funding sources.
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Previous grant performance, where applicable: The applicant's record of fulfilling the requirements of previous awards, including completion of promised outcomes, responsible use of funds, and timely submission of required reports.
For more information contact: Dana Somers, Director of Quantitative Reasoning Center (somersd@dickinson.ed)
Eligible Expenses and Reporting
Eligible Expenses
Faculty Stipends:
Faculty stipends are paid for summer student-faculty research (SFR) at a rate of $500/week for a maximum of eight weeks. It is expected that faculty will meet with and work with their student co-investigator/co-creator for a significant number of hours each week of the project. Stipends cannot be collected from two sources for the same time period or project.
Student Stipends:
Stipends are paid to students for summer student-faculty research, scholarly and creative projects and for summer research assistantships at a rate of $450/week for a maximum of 8 weeks.
Student Housing:
For on-campus summer projects, students are provided campus housing and pay the daily rate provided through Dickinson Residence Life and Housing. This fee should be built into grant applications.
Equipment:
Any equipment purchased with ADI funds shall be available to other members of the Dickinson community and cannot be added to the private collections of award recipients. Community materials and equipment (e.g., cameras, GPS units, compasses, etc.) will be added to a shared resource inventory for loan to other faculty once the project is completed. These materials and equipment are to be housed and maintained by grant applicant, but must become a shared resource of the college. Equipment purchases over $2,000 are not permitted.
Expense Reporting
Expenses for all ADI grants must be submitted in Workday within 30 days of the expense. A final financial summary report of all expenses must be submitted with the final report.
Electronic receipts are required for all out-of-pocket expenses; copies of credit-card statements do not constitute valid receipts. Invoices sent to you from online purchases are also permissible.
Below are links to helpful information about the Workday submission process
Requirements for Recipients
Grant recipients are expected to share the outcomes of their research with the Dickinson community and contribute to the broader dissemination of their work.
Recipients must complete the following requirements before the closing date of their awards. The closing date will be declared in the award letter:
- Submit a final project report: Submit a brief report (1–2 pages) describing the project's goals, activities, and outcomes. The report should include a statement from the student researcher reflecting on the impact of the experience.
- Prepare a public-facing project summary: Submit a half-page summary written for a general audience, accompanied by a photograph or other visual, for publication on the AD Initiative website.
- Share project outcomes: Submit scholarly outputs, such as academic papers, conference presentations, creative projects, or other research products, for inclusion in a publicly accessible Dickinson archive, subject to applicable publication, copyright, and research restrictions.
- Acknowledge funding support: Acknowledge support from the Quantitative Experiential Learning Fund (QELF) in publications, presentations, and other scholarly outputs resulting from the funded project.