AURORA Call for Applications

The Artificial Intelligence and Media (AIM) Lab (AIM-LAB) at Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) is currently accepting applications for the AIM-LAB AURORA (Advanced Undergraduate Research on Robots and AI) Grant (AY 2025-2026).

Application

Complete application packages (which should be submitted online via Qualtrics) are due on or before 5:00 p.m. Thursday October 16, 2025 (Qatar time) and must include the following:

1. 1. Research area

      • AI and Journalism from the Audience Perspective; AI in Newsrooms; AI for Journalists
      • AI-Powered Marketing and Branding; AI-Powered Metaverses; AI Chatbots and Virtual Influencers; Transformative AI and AI (In)Equality
      • AI and Creative Writing; AI in Publishing; AI Writing Pedagogy; AI Critical Analysis
      • AI for Mental Health; AI-Powered Trend Forecasting; Machine Learning
      • AI-Powered Creative Production (Illustration, Animation, Video, Sound, Films, Games, etc.); AI-Powered Digital Learning Product Design
      • Data-Driven LLM Evaluation, Arabic Natural Language Processing, Computational Social Science and Cultural Analytics, Social Media Analytics; Online Toxicity Detection
      • Use of AI in Disinformation, Misinformation and Propaganda; The intersection of AI and Politics; Big Data/Social Media Analytics

       

   2. Title, abstract, and extended abstract: A title, a 50-word abstract, and a 200-word description of the R&D project.
   3. References in apa style: A reference list of up to 10 scholarly/industry sources.
   4. Ongoing Project (if applicable): If applying for an ongoing project, provide a summary of the current state of the project.
   5. Necessary R&D skillsets: A 50-word description of R&D skills desired and necessary for your proposed R&D project. (e.g., quantitative research methods [surveys, online/field experiments, statistical data analysis], qualitative research methods [focus-group interviews, ethnography, case study, content analysis, discourse analysis, comparative textual analysis and close reading including contextual, narrative, and genre analysis, etc.], statistics/data science skills, scientific writing, creative writing, intertextual reading skills, reflexive skills, public speaking/pitching skills, coding skills, interest in/experience with computer programming languages and statistics software, interest in/experience with mobile app/VR/game/2D-3D animation development, AI-generated sound/animation/film production, etc.)
   6. R&D skillsets you are equipped with: A 50-word description of your R&D skills you are actually equipped with to complete your proposed R&D project. (e.g., quantitative research methods [surveys, online/field experiments, statistical data analysis], qualitative research methods [focus-group interviews, ethnography, case study, content analysis, discourse analysis, comparative textual analysis and close reading including contextual, narrative, and genre analysis, etc.], statistics/data science skills, scientific writing, creative writing, intertextual reading skills, reflexive skills, public speaking/pitching skills, coding skills, interest in/experience with computer programming languages and statistics software, interest in/experience with mobile app/VR/game/2D-3D animation development, AI-generated sound/animation/film production, etc.). Please note that your knowledge of research methods and actual skillsets you claim you are equipped with will be tested during the in-person interview. Therefore, please list and explain only the actual skillsets you are equipped with and you feel comfortable demonstrating.
   7. Feasibility assessment and timeline: Before you submit your AURORA grant application, please make sure you have done some preliminary literature review and research design to know whether the project is new and is doable within the time frame of the grant. Please assess feasibility of your proposed research project by providing a 50-word description about your preliminary literature review, research design, and proposed timeline for final completion of your project. 
   8. Budget: A 50-word explanation or graphical presentation/budget sheet of how you would utilize the research funds (QAR 16,400) for R&D expenses/conference travel expenses.
   9. AIM-LAB's missions and vision: A 50-word statement articulating how your R&D project contributes to AIM-Lab’s mission and R&D themes. We recommend that applicants familiarize themselves with the AIM-Lab’s vision, mission, R&D areas, publications, and events.
   10. Other grants and fellowships: A note listing any other research fundings, grants, or fellowships (such as NU-Q IAS Fellowship, NU-Q Undergraduate Research Grant, Summer Undergraduate Research Grants, Undergraduate Language Grant, Conference Travel Grant, etc.) you are (or are planning on) applying to during Academic Year 2025–2026. Please note you are required to share other research fundings you are receiving with the AIM-LAB team.
   11. CV/résumé (maximum 2 pages) and Bio: A CV/résumé (maximum 2 pages) along with a 50-word narrative biography.

NU-Q AIM-Lab Faculty will evaluate all applications and make recommendations to the Dean. Incomplete or late applications will not receive full consideration.