exploreCSR
Overview
Google's exploreCSR awards aid higher education efforts to support students from historically marginalized groups to pursue graduate studies and research careers in computing
Increasing student pursuit of computing research is a top priority at Google, especially for students historically marginalized in the field. Since 2018, the exploreCSR awards have supported institutions to design and host research-focused workshops during the academic year that expose new students, retain existing students, and build community in computing research.
Application status
Applications are now closed.
Decisions for the 2023 application cycle have been announced. Please check back for details on future application cycles.
Information
In addition to receiving funding, principal investigators (PIs) have the opportunity to join a community of practice, participate in cross-site evaluation of student outcomes, collaborate with Google researchers, request supplemental funding and support from TensorFlow, and request funding for undergraduate research.
Strong applications will demonstrate how the proposed workshop builds student self-efficacy, sense of belonging, practical skills, motivation to pursue computing research, and actionable strategies to pursue graduate studies. Partnership with other local institutions and organizations, both PhD-granting and not, is strongly encouraged.
Past participant experiences
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How two students are changing medicine with help from Google
Kean University computer science students Eric Ponte and Xavier Amparo want to change the face of pill detection.
Read blog post -
exploreCSR grants get more women into computer science research
Read blog post -
Highlights from TensorFlow’s 2021 exploreCSR awards
Read blog post -
exploreCSR puts students on a path to computer science research
Read blog post
Award details
- Eligible to professors, faculty, and administrative staff working in the field at an accredited, degree-granting institution (if you are not from a PhD-granting institution, it is strongly recommended that you collaborate with a partner who is)
- Institutions may receive one award per academic year, for up to three total years, with each award requiring a separate application
- Up to $18,000 in year one, $15,000 in year two, $10,000 in year three (USD)
- Awards are disbursed as unrestricted gifts to the institution
Review criteria
We ask that proposals outline:
- Student audience: plans to recruit students from historically marginalized groups, knowledge of those students' opportunities and constraints in computing research (will vary by region).
- Partnerships: current or anticipated partner institutions/organizations that will support the workshop.
- Content: plans to foster a research culture (e.g., research training, experiential projects, mentorship), grow students' professional capital and networks, build science identity and peer community, and provide holistic advising (e.g., graduate admission process, transition to graduate school life, academic and financial resources).
- Sustainment plans: plans to build an inclusive culture of computing research that sustains students beyond the core activities of the workshop (e.g., social events, advanced workshops, presentation series, summer research experiences).
- Budget: proposed use of funding.
FAQs
No, applicants will not receive feedback on the proposal submitted.
No, all applications must be submitted by 11:59:59pm on the day of the application deadline. Late submissions are not reviewed, and extensions are not granted.
The definition of who is historically marginalized is responsive to a specific region, context, and its nuances; the proposal should define the students from groups historically marginalized in computing research that the initiative aims to impact, and how the initiative will address their needs.