Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative

Funded Research Opportunities

📍 Institution: The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
🎯 Target Applicants: Wharton Faculty
🗓 Next Application Deadlines: January 2026 | June 2026
💰 Funding Type: Research & Education Grants

Overview

The Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative supports cutting-edge research and educational innovation at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data science, analytics, business, and society. Through multiple funding streams, the Initiative provides resources for faculty to develop new methods, advance research, and reimagine AI-driven education.

Funding Programs

1. AI Education Innovation Fund

Purpose:
Supports curricular innovation by enabling faculty to integrate AI into classroom instruction and learning materials for both degree and non-degree programs.

Funding Supports:

• Development of new AI-focused courses

• Enhancement of AI learning tools

• Updating and expanding existing course materials

• Innovative approaches to AI pedagogy

Goal:
Ensure Wharton’s AI education offerings remain at the forefront of technological and pedagogical advancement.

2. AI Research Fund

Purpose:
Supports faculty research exploring the intersection of AI advancements, modern business models, industries, and global economies.

Funding Supports:

• AI and analytics research projects

• Development of new research methods

• Application of existing AI technologies

• Studies on economic, organizational, and societal impacts of AI

Eligible Expenses Include:

• Data acquisition and computing resources

• Research assistant support

• Matching funds for:

  • Postdoctoral researchers

  • Pre-doctoral researchers

  • Doctoral students

3. Data Science and Analytics Fund

Purpose:
Supports innovative research using data science and analytics to transform business and society.

Funding Supports:

• New data science and analytics methods

• Applied analytics research

• Studies on societal and business impacts of data-driven technologies

Eligible Expenses Include:

• Datasets and computational resources

• Research assistants

• Matching support for Post-Docs, Pre-Docs, and PhD students

Featured Research Areas

Examples of funded and featured research include:

• Detecting AI-generated content

• Cryptocurrency attitudes and market pricing

• AI tools linking genetics to disease risk

• Behavioral research and “nudge cartography”

• Vehicle emissions and environmental policy

• Algorithms combating sex trafficking

• Urban revitalization and economic impact

• Energy policy analytics

• Policing and dark data analysis

Application Process

• Who Can Apply: Wharton faculty members

• How to Apply: Through the Wharton Research Common Application

• Deadlines:

  • January 2026

  • June 2026

Further application details will be announced closer to each deadline.

Impact by the Numbers

• 295 project submissions

• 147 projects funded

• 8 Wharton departments supported

• $2,320,636+ invested in AI, analytics, and data science research