CDS Launch Pad Career Development Fund
The CDS Launch Pad Career Development Fund supports initiatives focused on career development and preparedness for students enrolled at the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences (CDS). These include student internships and research stipends, career advising, industry partnerships, guest speaker programs, experiential learning opportunities, and more.
Purpose
Sponsored by the CDS Launch Pad Career Development Funding, this program offers financial support for undergraduates to attend conferences and workshops, giving them opportunities to learn, network, and explore career options.
Funding
The Student Travel Grant provides up to $500 per student per conference. Reimbursements must be submitted within 30 days of the conference, with no exceptions for late submissions. While students are encouraged to manage their expenses independently, the Financial Manager is available to offer support with registration fees and related costs if needed, as long as the total remains within the limit. Please note, applications are rolling, funding is limited, and advanced planning is crucial.
Eligibility
All CDS College undergraduate majors are eligible to apply, with priority given to students who have not previously received funding as well as juniors and seniors. To receive CDS funding, you must be an active Boston University undergraduate majoring in Data Science in good academic standing, and funding is limited to one conference or event per fiscal year.
Application Requirements
Provide a short answer that details your reason for attending, how the event is directly related to your current or aspirational field of study, and an impact statement on what you expect to gain from the experience.
Specify the amount you are requesting from CDS (up to $500 per event) and explain how you plan to use the funds.
Evaluation Criteria
We consider academic achievement and the quality of your impact statement among other factors when evaluating your application. Priority is given to juniors and seniors, although all submissions are reviewed holistically.
Expected Product/Outcomes
Following the conference, awardees must submit a brief summary of their experience and confirm that they're comfortable with CDS using their names, photos, and related content on social media. They're also encouraged to bring back additional pictures or materials to share.
We review applications on a rolling basis during the first week of each month, which means we evaluate and accept candidates as applications are received. To ensure full consideration, we encourage you to apply as early as possible.