Instructions for submitting a proposal for an Institute Theme

Instructions for submitting a proposal for an Institute Theme

Program Overview

 

The mission of the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) is to generate and amplify innovation in socially and environmentally Responsible AI by connecting the research power of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) with industry, the national labs, the startup ecosystem, and other stakeholders in Chicago. DPI will conduct research, prepare and retrain talent for the workforce, drive economic growth, and engage the public. DPI is pleased to announce an inaugural call for new research themes to expand the scope of its research portfolio.

 

This document outlines the research theme program areas (Section 1), resources and facilities currently available at DPI (Section 2), research theme structure (Section 3) and the process for submitting and reviewing white papers (Section 4), which will be used to identify and support the development of new DPI Research Themes or expansion of existing themes (“AI+Climate” and “AI+Health”). Interested proposers are encouraged to carefully read all sections to ensure compliance with this call.

 

1.        Research Theme Program Areas

 

DPI's strategic objective for research is to identify and develop transformative research themes. Research Themes will fall under one of three cross-cutting Program Areas: 1) artificial intelligence (AI); 2) future computing technologies, including quantum computing; and 3) AI-enabled applications ("AI+X") that address grand challenges in science and society, while fostering AI+X innovation throughout Chicago and the State of Illinois. DPI expects that research in all three categories will embrace and address responsible AI, including but not limited to, human-centered AI, safety and robustness of the AI systems and applications, transparency and explainability of methods and tools to make AI decisions interpretable and understandable to users, ethics and fairness of algorithmic biases and their social implications, governance and policy frameworks for AI oversight and lifecycle management, and environmental sustainability.

 

The Artificial Intelligence and Future Computing Technologies Program Areas aim to develop new hardware, software and algorithms to advance Responsible AI. For example, this may include new paradigms in future computing technologies to address the compute-energy nexus, and advance biological and quantum computing.

 

The AI+X Program Area aims to develop new applied and responsible AI algorithms to advance the innovation and discovery of new insights in domains such as health, medicine, smart cities, food, agriculture, insurance, finance, robotics and drone design, and more. It is anticipated that Research Themes under this program area will be composed of interdisciplinary teams of faculty.

 

Each Research Theme will be physically hosted at DPI and be composed of a mixture of UIUC faculty (with home departments in UIUC), staff research scientists, postdoctoral associates, and graduate students, usually totaling ~10-20 individuals. Some of the members of each Research Theme will spend most or all their time in DPI facilities while others will participate both in person and remotely from the UIUC campus. Most Research Themes will engage closely with stakeholders located in Chicago (i.e., corporate partners, health care systems, and VCs).

 

2.        Resources and Facilities

 

The scientific objectives of the Research Themes will be supported by diverse DPI resources and facilities. The core resources and facilities available at DPI include:

• office spaces and computing resources,
• access to research software engineering staff, event and administrative staff,
• access to MCS (master’s in computer science) students (located in Chicago) through advising independent studies, hourly pay, and summer interns,
• access to City Scholar Grainger College of Engineering undergraduate students (located in Chicago),
• access to Chicago VCs and Chicago vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem in collaboration with the Landuyt Center for Entrepreneurship, and
• access to Chicago industrial and national labs stakeholders and their proprietary resources including test beds and databases.

 

DPI also provides access to large computing facilities at NCSA (Peta-scale clusters, Delta, Delta AI), in addition to other Urbana compute clusters, access to Quantum Computing in Hyde Park and eventually to infrastructure at the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park (IQMP), currently under construction in South Chicago. White papers can also identify specific computational and laboratory resources that are necessary for the success of the theme; if it is not possible to accommodate these requests in the present location of DPI (200 South Wacker Drive), it may be possible to plan for the development of these resources in DPI’s new building located at 250 South Wacker Drive, which will be ready for occupancy in 2-3 years.

 

It is expected that each Research Theme will eventually fund most or all of its own research, including staff support, and will work toward securing large-scale team science funding, such as Center or Program Project grants from federal agencies such as NSF, DOE, DOD, USDA, NIH, state agencies, private foundations, or industry. All research proposals from DPI Research Themes are expected to go through the DPI business office, supported by DPI business office staff, and others involved in proposal development. Subaccounts can be set up if substantial amounts of work will be performed elsewhere, i.e., in a department or institute on campus. That is, DPI will follow the well-established “Where the work is done” campus practices for allocation of direct and indirect costs.

 

3.        Research Theme Structure

 

A Theme Leader will be identified in each white paper. A Theme Leader should be an established expert in their discipline and have demonstrated commitment and/or interest in leading interdisciplinary research projects. Given the Institute’s mission to promote economic development, a Theme Leader should also have a commitment to technology transfer and commercialization, but prior experience is not necessary. The DPI Research Director will work with each Theme Leader on a regular basis to monitor progress and help provide for the needs of the Theme.

 

Institute Faculty comprising a Theme will be drawn from one or multiple UIUC academic departments and/or Colleges. Institute Faculty will have demonstrated expertise in a research discipline that is critical to addressing the main problems of the Theme. In such cases where some of the required expertise does not presently exist on campus, new UIUC faculty and DPI Postdoctoral Fellows/Assistant Research Scientists hires may be proposed in the white paper. The DPI Research Director and CEO will work with relevant department heads to explore the feasibility of such faculty hires. DPI Fellows will catalyze thematic activities, providing critically needed expertise and preliminary data for theme-based grant proposals.

 

The process for generating DPI Research Themes is intended to be UIUC faculty-driven, possibly in close collaboration with Postdoctoral Fellows, staff scientists, and other DPI personnel/resources. Such collaboration is encouraged and will be facilitated, when requested, by the DPI Research Director. It is recognized that the success of DPI is dependent upon support of the UIUC faculty and UIUC academic units. The DPI CEO and Research Director will regularly engage with the academic units that employ Theme faculty to ensure that activities are coordinated and credit is shared. The rigorous process that has been established for selection of the Research Themes and periodic expert review of the Theme’s activities will ensure that DPI will remain a world-class facility for interdisciplinary research in AI and AI+X.

 

4.        Submission Procedure and Review Process

 

1. UIUC Faculty Teams: The request to create a DPI Research Theme must be submitted in the form of a “white paper.”

 

1. 1. The white paper should present the major scientific objective of the Research Theme, in the context of one of the three above-mentioned programmatic areas.

 

1. 2. A Theme Leader should be identified. The Theme Leader will be responsible for all correspondence relating to the thematic proposal as well as other planning activities during theme development.

 

1. 3. Each Research Theme will be comprised of approximately 4-5 UIUC faculty with home departments at UIUC, and some of their research groups, including the Theme Leader, resulting in a total size of ~10-20. Full-time UIUC faculty can serve as theme members, and they should be identified in the white paper. The Theme’s faculty members should together have primary appointments in more than one UIUC academic department, ideally in more than one college. Preference will be given to thematic research that involves faculty from more than one department or multiple Colleges, if appropriate to the Theme. Faculty in each Research Theme will be given a 0% appointment as DPI Faculty Affiliates.

 

1. 4. It is anticipated that the necessary expertise may not exist on campus for making every Theme scientifically complete. Therefore, new faculty hires may be proposed in a white paper, as noted above. The Office of the Provost and several Colleges have committed to providing faculty lines to support the mission of DPI. However, there are no guarantees that a faculty hire will be possible for each theme that is proposed, so due consideration must be given to the viability of a proposed new theme in the absence of a new hire. Faculty hiring should be discussed with the DPI Research Director during the development of the white paper.

 

1. 5. Faculty may be associated with more than one white paper (and theme).

 

2. Research Fellows: Research Theme Proposals may include requests for DPI Fellows, who can be Postdoctoral Associates (hired after their PhD) or Assistant Research Scientists (hired 2-5 years after their PhD). They will be supported by DPI, with a two-year appointment and the possibility of a third year of support based on progress. DPI Fellows will be physically located at DPI. Each research theme is eligible to have one DPI Fellow funded as initial seed funding from DPI, with the expectation that each research team will go after future funding as discussed above. 

 

3. Dates and Logistics:
   
   
   1. The call for Research Theme Proposals was posted on August 16, 2026. A town-hall meeting will be held on the Urbana campus on August 25, followed by a Letter of Intent deadline on September 15, 2026, and the Full Research Theme Proposal deadline on October 15, 2026. Decisions about selected research themes will be communicated to proposed theme leaders and will be made by mid-November.

 

1. 2. If there are any questions related to this call for Research Theme Proposals, contact Prof. Klara Nahrstedt (klara@illinois.edu), DPI Director of Research.

 

1. 3. Each proposing team is required to submit a 1-page Letter of Intent (LOI) by September 15 with the following information: 1) Program Area (see above); 2) Working title; 3) Tentative line-up of faculty (or discipline representation envisioned); and 4) 1-2 paragraph overview of the vision that will animate the white paper. This will help the DPI Research Director arrange for appropriate reviewers and assist in identifying faculty, if so requested by the proposed Theme Leader. Letters of Intent should be submitted to Eva Lozano (evalozan@uillinois.edu). The LOI document can be submitted in PDF or Word format. LOI document should follow the naming convention: ThemeLead-ThemeTopic-LOI.pdf.

 

1. 4. The Research Theme Proposal should not exceed 10 pages (11- or 12-point font) including all figures and tables. References are to be included as a separate document limited to two pages. Please address all the issues listed in Section 4.7. Proposals should be delivered via email in PDF or Word format to Eva Lozano (evalozan@uillinois.edu). The Proposal document should follow the naming convention: ThemeLead-ThemeName-Proposal.pdf.

 

1. 5. Each Research Team should include NSF-style (short) biographies for each faculty team member compiled as a single Supplement Document and submit with the Research Theme Proposal to Eva Lozano (evalozan@uillinois.edu). The Supplement does not count toward the 10 pages of the Research Theme Proposal. Note that if the overall proposal includes collaboration letters from non-UIUC collaborators, these letters should be included in the Supplement as well. The Supplement should follow the naming convention: ThemeLead-ThemeName-Supplement.pdf.

 

1. 6. Due date for Research Theme Proposals is October 15, 2026. Only Research Theme Proposals for which a corresponding LOI has been submitted by September 15 will be considered. Note that budgets are NOT required to be submitted.

 

 

4. Theme Review Process:

 

1. 1. For each white paper, a set of experts will be engaged by the DPI Research Director to provide individual reviews. The objective of the review process will be to identify white papers that present a compelling research vision with an outstanding team and state-of-the-art technology that is appropriate to the mission of DPI and takes advantage of DPI’s location, connections, and facilities.

 

1. 2. Reviews will be solicited from distinguished scientists in academia (including UIUC, if they themselves are not participating in a white paper), national laboratories, and private industry.

 

1. 3. The reviews may result in requests for revisions or additional information before the Director announces a final decision.  

 

1. 4. The reviews will be advisory to the DPI Research Director and CEO and will not involve a formal written critique that will be returned to the submitters of proposals. The DPI Research Director will communicate decisions to theme leaders and discuss them as appropriate.

 

1. 5. Review criteria will follow the points to be addressed in the White Paper (See Section 7 below). These include (a) the quality of the proposed research, (b) the expertise and reputations of the proposed faculty, (c) Why Chicago? (and why not only in Urbana?) — the relevance of the Research Theme to Chicago, and the DPI Chicago-based resources that will be necessary to perform the proposed research, and (d) the impact on DPI’s mission as outlined in the opening paragraph, including prospects for economic development. 

 

 

5. Expectations and Resources for Selected Themes:
   
   
   1. Research Themes that are selected will be assigned space in DPI and other resources and facilities as outlined in Section 2.
      
      
   2. Theme Leaders are expected to coordinate activities of the Theme, attend planning meetings, represent DPI at fundraising activities, prepare publicity materials, and lead the team in the writing of grant proposals. Theme Leaders will become members of DPI’s senior leadership team.
      
      
   3. Research Themes will receive administrative support from DPI for theme administration, including the preparation of grant proposals and other activities that may be required for the full development of the Theme.

 

6. Renewal Theme Reviews:
   
   
   1. It is essential to the long-term success of DPI that the Institute responds to new scientific opportunities and Chicago's needs as a hub for high-tech. This necessitates a natural turnover of faculty within Themes as well as the Research Themes themselves. To permit this flexibility, each Research Theme will be reviewed every 5 years.
      
      
   2. An external committee of experts appointed by the DPI Research Director will visit DPI to conduct a thorough review of the progress of the Theme and present their findings to the Research Director. Research Themes that no longer fit DPI’s scientific direction or do not meet expectations for productivity, international recognition, external support or technology transfer may be discontinued (wound down in an orderly manner).
      
      
   3. Because it is expected that UIUC faculty in a DPI Research Theme will retain research space in their home department to maintain an active individual PI research program, this decision should not result in physical dislocation. If necessary, the UIUC Provost, OVCRI, College/Department and DPI will facilitate reestablishing faculty in their home units.
      
      
   4. While recognizing the importance of periodic reviews of the Research Themes, it is also important to provide adequate time for themes to reach their full potential. Furthermore, it is understood that sun-setting a Theme would cause disruption and possible stress to the home departments. DPI thus takes the view that once a DPI Research Theme is launched, it has the potential to enjoy significant longevity as a productive enterprise, including, if necessary, “reinvention” to pursue new goals. All efforts will be made to facilitate the stability and longevity of a Theme.
      
      
   5. Issues relating to a faculty member’s departmental space and existing program will be negotiated by the faculty member with their Unit Head.

 

7. Points to Address in a White Paper:

 

1. 1. What are the major scientific issues to be addressed by the Research Theme? What major problem(s) are to be solved that will benefit Chicago and Illinois? Who are the stakeholders in the research outcomes? What DPI Program Area does the white paper fit best in? How will the proposed Research Theme benefit DPI’s mission?

 

1. 2. Why does the problem to be addressed require an interdisciplinary approach? For each DPI faculty member, briefly describe what expertise each brings to bear on solving the main problems to be addressed in the Theme.

 

1. 3. Briefly outline the proposed organization and administration of the Theme.

 

1. 4. Is additional faculty expertise not currently present on campus is required to create a successful thematic enterprise? Describe the need and expertise of a proposed new faculty hire (see Section 4.1). If such faculty expertise is to be secured through collaborations with faculty outside UIUC, please address this via point 4.7.N below. Such faculty can elect, if they choose so, to apply to become DPI Network Members.

 

1. 5. Is a DPI Fellow (Postdoctoral Research Scientist or Assistant Research Scientist, see Section 4.2) required to help establish the Theme? If so, what will the role be? DPI Fellows will be expected to be physically based at DPI.

 

1. 6. Why is it necessary to perform this work in Chicago, rather than only in Urbana? What are the unique Chicago-based resources accessible via DPI that are key to the success of this Theme? (You are welcome to consult with the DPI Research Director to learn about all DPI-related resources available. See Section 2.)

 

1. 7. In what ways are members of the Theme expected to contribute to DPI’s mission and engage with Chicago stakeholders?

 

1. 8. Describe the social, legal and ethical issues that may arise from the Theme. DPI will emphasize responsible AI in all aspects of its mission; please explain how the proposed theme will address issues related to responsible AI.

 

1. 9. What specialized infrastructure is required for thematic research? Is there a need for specialized equipment, specialized expertise (e.g., Research Software Programmer), or connection to one or more companies for research partnership? Briefly describe the equipment, infrastructure or expertise required and justify the request.

 

1. 10. Describe the economic development potential of the Theme. What kinds of intellectual property will arise from thematic research? How do you envision technology transfer for the new IP developed by the Theme? DPI staff focused on external relations, strategic partnerships, and entrepreneurship will be available to assist in technology transfer.

 

1. 11. Identify possible funding sources and describe the strategy for obtaining funding for the Theme’s activities.

 

1. 12. Describe any coupled educational and outreach academic activities planned to promote and develop Theme activities that would also advance the general mission of DPI (courses, outreach activities, training grants, workshops, conferences and symposia, etc.) in Chicago.

 

1. 13. What are the critical factors that will determine the success of the Theme? Present a timeline for Theme development and activities.

 

1. 14. Have you or do you expect to collaborate with Chicago-based entities? If so, please provide letters of collaboration, if available, detailing the nature of the collaboration.