HGSE AI Student Initiative Fund
About the Fund
AI is transforming education. At HGSE, we want students to not just study that change but actively shape it. Supported by the Dean's Office, the Student AI Fund provides seed grants to help you design and test projects that engage others, such as workshops, prototypes, events, or shared resources that invite collective learning.
Funding Details
- Award size: $100 – $1,000
- Examples of projects:
- A hands-on workshop introducing peers to new AI tools for teaching
- A prototype tool tested with HGSE classmates and shared in class discussions
- A community conversation series about equity and AI in education
Timeline
- Applications open: September 17th, 2025
- Deadline: October 1st, 2025
- Awards announced: October 20th, 2025
- Project period: Fall, January, or Spring term
- Projects should be designed so the HGSE community can benefit before you graduate.
Eligibility
- Open to all HGSE students (individuals or groups)
- Projects must demonstrate how they can foster collective learning at the HGSE community
Expectations
- Sharing your work with the HGSE community is expected (via a showcase, event, or informal presentation)
- One page post-initiative summary is expected by May 31st, 2026.
- Projects should prioritize collective benefit over individual use
How to Apply
- Complete the online application form
- Submit before the deadline
FAQ
Workshops, conferences, community conversations, hackathons—or your own creative idea. We’re looking for projects that advance your thinking on AI and education while providing benefits to the HGSE community.
You can apply individually or as part of a team. We expect most projects will involve some collaboration. The primary applicant must be a current HGSE student.
Yes. You can apply as a student group and collaborate with others outside HGSE. We only ask that the primary applicant is an HGSE student.
No. Not all projects need to be technical in nature. Some may focus on equity, ethics, pedagogy, or broader conversations about AI in education.
Awards range from $100 to $1,000. Funds can be used for things like software licenses, food and drinks for events, printing posters, or other reasonable project expenses.
The funding will not be paid directly to students. Instead, you will work with the AI TF, Max Lu (maxlu@fas.harvard.edu), to submit purchase requests through the dean’s office.
You are responsible for staying within your approved funding amount.
We’ll evaluate applications based on their potential contribution to collective learning about AI and education at HGSE. Specifically, we’ll look at:
- Benefits to the HGSE community
- Relevance to AI and education
- Feasibility of implementation
We ask that you share your work with the HGSE community—through an event, showcase, or informal presentation—and submit a one-page summary by May 31st.
We know things can shift, especially with a fast-moving topic like AI. Feasibility matters, but if something changes, just reach out to us (maxlu@fas.harvard.edu) and we’ll discuss options together.
This is our first year running the Fund, and we’d love your feedback on how to improve it. Don’t hesitate to write to us with suggestions or questions.