Call for Proposals: Special Semester Topics in Computing

Overview

The MIT Schwarzman College of Computing’s Special Semester Topics in Computing program is designed to catalyze new collaborations in computing. Proposals are solicited from MIT faculty for a collaborative activity that would benefit from dedicated office and collaboration space for a semester in Building 45, the new College building located on Vassar Street.

Focus

The intent of the program is to build new connections around common areas of interest in computing where shared space for a semester can add value in forming community and advancing research and education efforts. Preference is for initiating and expanding research collaborations more than for supporting existing ones. Topics should align with the scope of the College mission, which includes:

  • Advancing computing, notably computer science and artificial intelligence;
  • Infusing computing and other disciplines from every school across MIT;
  • Understanding and addressing social and ethical issues in computing technologies.

Benefits

Each semester, a selected group will be provided space in Building 45 for the term. Benefits offered by the College include:

  • Eight furnished private offices (136 average sq ft) and access to a furnished common area (1078 sq ft);
  • Weekly group lunches;
  • End-of-semester dinner for participants.

Proposals

Proposals should be 2-3 pages in length and include the following elements:

  • Program description: Scope, including how it aligns with the College mission; its potential impact within and outside computing as well as within and beyond MIT; its timeliness; and its ability to significantly advance an area in ways that would benefit from dedicated space for a semester;
  • Program organizers: List of participants, who together span the topics of the proposed program and most of whom are committed to spending all or most of the semester in the space. Groups may include non-MIT participants, but majority must be MIT faculty. Any non-MIT visitors will need to be appointed in the faculty member’s academic or research unit. Funding for visitors is not available at this time.

Program Timing

Proposers should indicate one or more of Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 as the desired semester for the activity.

  • Fall semester space will be available from August 18, 2025 through January 15, 2026.
  • Spring semester space will be available from January 26, 2026 through August 2, 2026.

Timeline

Submission and notification dates are as follows:

  • March 5, 2025: Proposals due
  • April 2, 2025: Notifications to proposers

Submissions

Proposals should be submitted online as a single PDF document.

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Questions

For more information, please contact the faculty leads of Special Semester Topics in Computing, Catherine D’Ignazio at dignazio@mit.edu or Yael Kalai at tauman@mit.edu.