This summer, WashU’s Digital Intelligence & Innovation (DI2) Accelerator is launching the Digital Transformation Summer Corps, a new initiative that brings together talented students with software development and data science skills to collaborate with faculty on cutting-edge research projects. This paid, 10-week program provides students with real-world experience while giving faculty access to the technical expertise needed to realize their boldest vision.
Through faculty mentorship, hands-on development, and training in machine learning and computational research, the program aims to foster a collaborative community of digital innovation on campus. By connecting students and faculty across disciplines, the Summer Corps is strengthening and uniting WashU’s developer community, breaking down existing silos between schools and departments to drive interdisciplinary collaboration.
The faculty and student clusters will produce five to six research projects that will be ready to apply for external funding during the fall 2025 semester, with dedicated grant writing and application support from the DI2 Accelerator.
Other faculty-led clusters will focus on developing user-friendly code components that enable researchers to better leverage WashU IT’s Research Infrastructure Services (RIS), making advanced computing tools more accessible for faculty with less technical expertise. “By building intuitive, reusable digital tools, we’re not just solving individual research problems, we’re creating infrastructure that will accelerate ongoing research projects across WashU for years to come,” said Nathan Jacobs, assistant vice provost for digital transformation.
Supported by key campus partners—including WashU IT, the CSE Research Experience for Undergraduates, and the Skandalaris Center—the Digital Transformation Summer Corps is aligned with WashU’s Here & Next strategic plan to strengthen the university’s digital infrastructure and support groundbreaking research.
“This program is about accelerating discovery and giving students the opportunity to work on projects with real impact,” said Betsy Sinclair, assistant vice provost for digital transformation.
Stay tuned for more details on participating faculty and projects. Learn more about the program at di2.washu.edu/corps.