Funding

Several funding options are available for students – learn more about these opportunities below to see which are applicable to your graduate studies. To be considered for funding, you must indicate your interest in being supported in your application.

Teaching Assistantships

Teaching assistantships (TA) are awarded to graduate students by the Data Science program on a competitive basis. The awards include a monthly stipend, tuition support for a maximum of 9 credits hours per semester, and health insurance. Teaching Assistants are generally assigned duties that support faculty in their teaching responsibilities.

Research Assistantships

Research assistants are selected by a particular faculty member to participate in sponsored research projects. Typical duties of an RA include, but are not limited to, conducting experiments and assisting in the development of theoretical advances related to faculty research projects. Research projects are typically funded by grants and contracts awarded to the university by government agencies, industrial firms, or other private organizations.

GSA Positions

Data Science also awards Graduate Student Assistantships (GSA). Those positions consist of a stipend for a particular semester, but do not include tuition nor health benefits. Students in the program are considered for these positions based on their academic performance and the need for the particular course being offered. For information, contact datascience@wpi.edu.

GAANN Ph.D. Fellowships in Artificial Intelligence Research

The GAANN fellowship provides support to graduate students with excellent records who demonstrate financial need and plan to pursue the highest degree available in a field designated as ‘an area of national need.’ The WPI Department of Computer Science is seeking U.S. citizens interested in pursuing a Ph.D. and who are in need of Ph.D. level financial assistance. The fellowship requires students to study artificial intelligence research in collaboration with WPI Computer Science, WPI Data Science or WPI Learning Sciences & Technologies faculty. The U.S. Department of Education funds GAANN Fellowships and supports U.S. citizens in their pursuit of doctoral degrees in fields deemed to be areas of national need. Learn more about GAANN eligibility and application requirements at WPI.

Graduate Research Opportunity: GAANN Fellowship

The WPI Department of Computer Science is pleased to announce that Elke Rundensteiner, Ph.D., our Data Science Program Director, is the recipient of a recent GAANN Grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant, titled “GAANN Fellowships in Computer and Information Sciences for Artificial Intelligence Research,” will support six Ph.D. fellows for three years.

This GAANN Grant focuses on artificial intelligence in areas such as deep learning, natural language processing, machine learning, healthcare analytics, data science, and learning sciences. The Artificial Intelligence GAANN Grant recipients will join the big data research group affiliated with the WPI Computer Science Department. This research group provides an excellent working environment within a creative international team.

Apply for spring and fall semesters NOW!
DETAILS
GAANN Fellowships provide:

An annual stipend up to $34,000, dependent upon student’s financial need
Full tuition and fees
Health insurance coverage
Assuming satisfactory academic performance and progress in the degree and research the GAANN Fellowship is renewable for up to three years.

Research Areas & Opportunities

Candidates should have research interests in artificial intelligence. GAANN Fellows will work collaboratively in cohorts of Ph.D., M.S., and undergraduate students on stimulating research projects and studies in AI.

WPI Computer Science Faculty Members with AI Research Agendas

Elke Rundensteiner, GAANN PROJECT DIRECTOR
Neil T. Heffernan, GAANN Program Committee Director

AS A GAANN Fellow, YOU Will

Be mentored in research skills

Develop professional skills
Hone presentation skills
Mature entrepreneurial skills
Engage in teaching experiences
Collaborate with fellow students and faculty
Initiate cutting-edge projects

Eligibility
Applicants MUST:

Be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. National, or Permanent Resident of the United States of America.
Be currently enrolled, or accepted for enrollment as a full-time graduate student in our program at WPI.
Have a proven financial need.
Plan to pursue a Ph.D. in artificial intelligence research.
Qualify for eligibility according to 34 CFR 75.60 (i.e. not in default on a Federal Student Loan).

Individuals with traditionally underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply

Application Process

To formally apply for the GAANN Fellowship, you must FIRST apply for admission to the WPI Computer Science or Data Science Ph.D or Learning Sciences & Technologies programs using the standard online WPI application.
Please mention your interest in the GAANN fellowship in the Personal Statement of your application!
You must complete the GAANN Statement of Interest Form (PDF), and return it to the GAANN Steering Committee, DS-GAANN@wpi.edu
You must submit a FAFSA to demonstrate your financial need.
You must complete both GAANN and FAFSA applications ASAP.
Both forms are needed to calculate the maximum stipend you can be allocated!
Current WPI student? Submit two letters of recommendation from WPI faculty who will attest to your aptitude for teaching and research at the Ph.D. level.

NOTIFICATION and DEADLINES
The GAANN Project Director and Steering Committee select WPI GAANN Fellows based on an applicant's eligibility, academic ability, and match in research interests.

INQUIRIES
If you have any questions, please email DS-GAANN@wpi.edu.