Programs: Graduate Workshop in Computational Social Science

Before You Apply

We ask all applicants to read this page carefully before applying or emailing us with questions. Thank you.

SFI’s Graduate Workshop is designed for Ph.D. candidates and other early-career scholars in the social sciences who desire an intensive, immersive experience that broadens their exposure to perspectives and techniques in computational social sciences and advances their thesis or other research through interactions with peers in the program and mentorship by the program directors.

All participants must be able to arrive on the first day of the program and stay through the final day of programming.


Photos Credit : Doug Merriam

Eligibility

This program is designed for Ph.D. students who have completed a minimum of two years of Ph.D. study (or equivalent research experience) and are actively pursuing thesis research in computational social science. Early career researchers including postdocs and new faculty will also be considered.

Application Requirements

While the application period is open, access the application system through the "Apply now!" button at the top right of your screen.

Applicants should submit:

Biographical information (filled out directly in the application portal).
An outline of a current or proposed research project in complex and/or computational social sciences (maximum one page).
Current academic CV or résumé, including a list of publications, if any.
One academic letter of recommendation.
Contact information for two additional academic references.

Application Process & Timeline

Applications must be completed and submitted through the application portal by the posted deadline. Late or incomplete applications are not reviewed.

Complete applications submitted by the deadline will be evaluated by the Graduate Workshop review committee. All applicants — including those not selected as finalists — will receive an email update on their status in March. The Graduate Workshop maintains a waiting list. Some years, the program has been able to offer spots to those on the waiting list.

Because a missing recommendation letter can hold up an otherwise strong application, you should contact your recommender as soon as you begin your application. Materials submitted after the deadline cannot be added and will not be considered.

All inquiries about the application should be directed to education@santafe.edu

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Financial Assistance

Is there financial assistance available?

After being accepted, participants seek their own funding for the program through their home institutions, departments, and third-party funding sources. Past participants have asked their advisor, colleagues, and former Graduate Workshop attendees for funding-source suggestions.

Based on need, participants may apply for partial scholarships from SFI. To request a link to the application for financial assistance, accepted participants can email education@santafe.edu. Every application for financial assistance will need to demonstrate that the applicant has made substantial efforts to obtain funding elsewhere.

International Applicants

Will I need a visa to attend?

Many Graduate Workshop participants can enter the United States under the visa waiver program (https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/). Please check the list of eligible countries.

Otherwise, participants seeking a visa can apply for a B-1 visa. Accompanying paperwork should note that the Graduate Workshop is a “seminar series” or “scientific conference”. Avoiding the term “school” may help avoid confusion with opportunities that require a student visa.

Delays vary greatly in requesting visa appointments (sometimes more than a year); we recommend that you contact your local consulate as soon as you decide to apply to ensure that you will be able to schedule an appointment by the mid April.

SFI does not sponsor F- or J-series visas for Graduate Workshop participants.

I have been ACCEPTED and am applying for a visa waiver (i.e., ESTA). Who should I put as my point of contact?

In recent years, participants have provided the following information:

Suzanne Kern
Santa Fe Institute
1399 Hyde Park Rd
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 984-8800

I have been ACCEPTED and am applying for a B-1 visa and have an appointment. Are there any additional documents I should bring?

Once you have accepted your Graduate Workshop invitation from SFI, we will reach out to you regarding next steps.

Do I need travel health insurance?

YES! Please be sure you are covered by health insurance, typically in the form of travel health insurance, for the entire duration of your stay in the United States. Medical costs in the United States can be many thousands of dollars without insurance.

Graduate Workshop in Computational Social Science