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University of Southern California

RCP - Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence
Individual applicants can apply.
Deadline Feb 16 2026 05:00 PM (PST)
Description

Research Catalyst Program 

Topic Area: Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence


USC’s Office of Research and Innovation (OORI) advances research and scholarship that drives innovation, informs policy, and creates societal impact by providing programs and resources that expand the reach of USC-led initiatives. Central to this mission is the USC Research Catalyst Program, which supports faculty-led projects across disciplines with strong ROI in both research and scholarship. The program also values curiosity-driven research and scholarship, recognizing that such work can spark new directions and lay the foundation for long-term impact. A variety of activities can be supported by this effort, including, but not limited to, data collection, prototype development, interdisciplinary planning, stakeholder engagement, and external partnerships that position projects for future funding

Topic Area: Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence

The Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence topic area provides funds to support USC researchers applying artificial intelligence across disciplines beyond computer science. A specific area of interest includes projects that use AI to address critical challenges, spark new research directions, and create real-world impact. Examples include AI in drug discovery, clinical trials, financial technologies, identity and biometrics, contract analysis, adaptive learning, disaster prediction, last-mile delivery, and materials discovery.

Each eligible faculty member may submit only one proposal per topic area, per deadline, as PI. However, applicants may participate as co-PIs or collaborators on multiple proposals within the same award cycle.

If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your proposal or have additional questions, please contact the rii@usc.edu.

This portal requires information about the PIs and Co-PIs in addition to department and contact information, including the 10-digit USC ID#. Please have this material prepared before beginning this application.

Apply

RCP - Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence


Research Catalyst Program 

Topic Area: Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence


USC’s Office of Research and Innovation (OORI) advances research and scholarship that drives innovation, informs policy, and creates societal impact by providing programs and resources that expand the reach of USC-led initiatives. Central to this mission is the USC Research Catalyst Program, which supports faculty-led projects across disciplines with strong ROI in both research and scholarship. The program also values curiosity-driven research and scholarship, recognizing that such work can spark new directions and lay the foundation for long-term impact. A variety of activities can be supported by this effort, including, but not limited to, data collection, prototype development, interdisciplinary planning, stakeholder engagement, and external partnerships that position projects for future funding

Topic Area: Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence

The Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence topic area provides funds to support USC researchers applying artificial intelligence across disciplines beyond computer science. A specific area of interest includes projects that use AI to address critical challenges, spark new research directions, and create real-world impact. Examples include AI in drug discovery, clinical trials, financial technologies, identity and biometrics, contract analysis, adaptive learning, disaster prediction, last-mile delivery, and materials discovery.

Each eligible faculty member may submit only one proposal per topic area, per deadline, as PI. However, applicants may participate as co-PIs or collaborators on multiple proposals within the same award cycle.

If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your proposal or have additional questions, please contact the rii@usc.edu.

This portal requires information about the PIs and Co-PIs in addition to department and contact information, including the 10-digit USC ID#. Please have this material prepared before beginning this application.

Apply
Open to
Individual applicants can apply.
Deadline
Feb 16 2026 05:00 PM (PST)