The Vagelos Computational Science Center (CSC) is excited to announce a funding opportunity for computational projects for Barnard faculty and instructors. These mini-awards are designed to support endeavors that harness computational resources, enabling faculty and instructors to take full advantage of modern technological tools for their research and teaching needs. To learn more, read below. To apply, click here.

Funding Opportunities

The program provides funding for cloud-based or self-managed software or computational resources needed to carry out research and educational projects. Award proposals can request up to $2,000, to be used by the end of May 2026. We expect that the program will continue and that we will provide opportunities for additional funding requests for future and ongoing projects.  Potential uses for the funds include the following:

General Computational Solutions

We are open to supporting any cloud-based, managed service or a self-managed computational solution that people are familiar with, even if we aren’t currently aware of it. We can also fund hardware for your computational needs. However, please note that while we can cover the cost, we do not provide space, setup, or troubleshooting assistance. 

GPU-Accelerated Cloud Computing

Targeted at projects that need enhanced GPU-accelerated computational power, this option supports applications involving graphics, simulations, and large datasets. GPUs can significantly boost performance in processes involving data visualization, machine learning, and simulation tasks. Possible tools include:

• Paperspace Notebooks
• Google Colab Pro+
• Lambda Labs Cloud
• Deepnote
• Runpod.io

Managed Database/Storage Services

This option is for people seeking robust and scalable storage solutions. Whether it's structured data needing SQL databases, flexible storage through NoSQL, or object storage, this option covers a range of cloud-based storage options. These tools can facilitate efficient data storage, retrieval, and analysis, which is crucial for research fields that handle vast amounts of data. Examples include:

• Managed SQL database instances on major cloud providers (e.g.,GCP, AWS, Digital Ocean)
• Object storage
• NoSQL or Key-Value storage

Technical Support

• Consultations: The CSC can offer high-level guidance on computational strategies – for example, suggesting a potential SQL schema for a given project.
• Tools: We can also offer guidance on tool selection and specific software best suited to your research and teaching needs. 
• Note: We will not be able to provide regular technical support or system administration.

Proposals received by October 31, 2025 will receive priority consideration. We operate on a rolling deadline, so subsequent proposals can be submitted after this date and will be reviewed periodically as long as funds remain.

Award Requirements and Eligibility

Faculty, Adjunct Instructors, and Instructors are eligible to apply. Award recipients are required to provide the CSC with ongoing information about their projects and to acknowledge the support as appropriate. Recipients must:

• Provide an annual written report on their project progress or outcomes.
• Manage purchase and requisition of any subscriptions, software or hardware charged to the award.
• Have an annual check-in with CSC Technical Manager Marko Krkeljas or CSC Senior Associate Director Saima Akhtar regarding their project.
• Acknowledge CSC support in resulting publications and presentations.

If you're unsure about the most suitable tools or resources for your project, please reach out to Marko Krkeljas at mkrkelja@barnard.edu or Saima Akhtar at sakhtar@barnard.edu before submitting your application. 

Apply here.

If you’re unsure about the most suitable tools or resources for your project, please consult with Marko Krkeljas at mkrkelja@barnard.edu or Saima Akhtar at sakhtar@barnard.edu before submitting your application.

Selection Process

Proposals will be evaluated by an evaluation committee consisting of CSC Technical Manager Marko Krkeljas and CSC Senior Associate Director Saima Akhtar, and may be shared with other CSC faculty and staff.

Proposals will be evaluated according the following criteria:

1. Alignment with the mini-award's goal to support projects using computational resources, enabling faculty and instructors to leverage modern technology in research and teaching.
2. The direct and tangible impact the mini-award will have on advancing the project.