CIISR Graduate Research Fellows Program

The Center for Computational Insights on Inequality and Society at Rice (CIISR) is pleased to invite applications for the inaugural CIISR Graduate Research Fellows Program in the School of Social Sciences. CIISR focuses on wide-ranging topics relevant to understanding inequality in society, in terms of opportunities (e.g., education, employment, medical care) and outcomes (e.g., college degree, income, health), as well as patterns (e.g., residential segregation, wage disparities, polarization) and processes (e.g., discrimination, resource allocation), and causes (e.g., structural racism, economic policies) and consequences (e.g., intergenerational poverty, stigma). The scale and complexity of issues related to inequality demand sophisticated methodologies provided by computational social sciences, including machine learning, artificial intelligence, network analysis, spatial analysis, and simulation models.

Purpose

The goals for the CIISR Graduate Research Fellows Program include:

  • Broaden and deepen your computational skills set for your research and for the job market
  • Engage in interdisciplinary computational research with faculty and other graduate fellows
  • Interact with leading experts, both internal and external, who will present talks and workshops
  • Inform, mentor, and otherwise contribute to others in the CIISR community of scholars
  • Have an experience that is intellectually, interpersonally, and professionally rewarding

Fellowship Information

Estimated Number of Fellowships: approximately 10 fellowships will be awarded

Anticipated Funding Amount per Award: $1,500, with an additional $1,000 for coordinating fellows

Upon receipt of the award, fellows are required to invest significantly and consistently in CIISR, which can be accomplished in multiple ways, including attending CIISR events, collaborating on projects and grants, presenting to the group, recruiting new CIISR members, promoting our people and our work internally and externally.

Coordinating fellows are expected to demonstrate strong organizational and communication skills, as well as a commitment to fostering a productive and supportive research community. Their contributions help ensure the smooth functioning of the fellowship program and enhance the collaborative experience for all participants.

Submission Deadline

Applications and letters of support are due by Friday, May 9, 2025.

Eligibility

  • Graduate students who are actively enrolled in a School of Social Sciences graduate program (PhD or Master’s) and not graduating before July 1, 2025.

Application

  • Eligible students must write a summary of a research project (either a proposed or a current project – not a completed project) that is computational in nature and falls within the broad description of CIISR included above. Students who have not had prior computational experience are explicitly encouraged to submit a proposal of this nature.
  • The project summary (2 pages max., single-spaced) should contain the following:
    1. Project title
    2. Name, departmental affiliation, and email address
    3. The research question(s) and the substantive significance of the research project
    4. The computational aspects of the research
    5. The actual or anticipated results of the research
    6. The broader implications of the research for society
  • CV or resume
  • If you are applying to be a coordinating fellow, please write a statement (1 page max.) addressing the following:
    1. Your interest in engaging with other students and faculty through CIISR
    2. Your organizational and communication skills
    3. Any ideas you have for CIISR activities (e.g., training sessions, events, community-building)
  • The student’s mentor/advisor must provide a brief letter of support (1 page max.) on university letterhead.

Evaluation

Applications will be evaluated by a review committee on the basis of the application materials described above.

Requirements and Expectations

Those who receive a fellowship are required to:

  • Participate in regular meetings of fellows, present ongoing research, and engage in peer feedback and discussion.
  • Invest significantly and consistently in CIISR, including attending CIISR events, collaborating on projects and grants, presenting to the fellows, recruiting new CIISR members, promoting our people and our work internally and externally.
  • Provide a report (2 pages max., single-spaced) summarizing how the fellowship impacted your research and educational experience to be submitted by May 1, 2026.

Coordinating fellows take on leadership and organizational responsibilities within the program, in addition to their research activities. Coordinating fellows are required meet the expectations described above, as well as:

  • Coordinate regular fellows meetings of
  • Schedule presentations of fellows’ ongoing research for feedback and discussion
  • Organize training sessions and professional development opportunities
  • Facilitate communication and collaboration among fellows

Award Notification

Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by May 23, 2025.

Submission Instructions

Please submit your application online in PDF format at https://tinyurl.com/CIISR-Fellows-S25.

Please share the following link for uploading a letter of support: https://tinyurl.com/CIISR-Fellows-Support-S25.

Questions?

All questions about the program and eligibility can be directed to Celeste Rogers at cr101@rice.edu.

Submit a Fellowship Application Submit a Letter of Support

Submit a Fellowship Application QR code

Submit a Letter of Support