AIM-Lab
Founded in 2023 by NU-Q Dean and CEO Marwan M. Kraidy and directed by Associate Dean for Education S. Venus Jin, the AIM-Lab at NU-Q produces and promotes data-based storytelling focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence and media. Our core commitments are to amplify NU-Q faculty and student research on AI-based media, to boost undergraduate research on AI-empowered communication and journalism, to mentor students who plan to pursue advanced AI-related graduate degrees, and to forge pathways to the professoriate and media professionals locally and globally. The AIM-Lab synthesizes deep expertise,
interdisciplinary inquiry, and collaborative research and development (R&D) to stimulate vibrant conversations about transformative AI and to address emerging challenges that confront the AI revolution.
Acceptance of 5 NU-Q Sophomores/Juniors/Seniors based on a competitive review by the AIM-Lab team
QAR20,000 (approximately USD$5,362): AIM-Lab AURORA grantees receive mentorship and financial support of QAR20,000 in total: including QAR18,000 (approximately USD$4,825) toward R&D expenses/conference travel expenses and QAR2,000 (approximately USD$536) completion award upon the final submission of the required deliverables in the last month of the grant
Grant Application Deadline: 5:00pm Thursday September 12, 2024 (Qatar time)
Acceptance Notification: September 29, 2024
Grant Start Date: October 1, 2024
Grant Duration: 9 months (October 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) for graduating seniors; 11 months (October 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025) for sophomores and juniors
AIM-Lab AURORA grantees are required to participate in the following initiatives and events. Requirements and Deliverables include, but are not limited to:
R&D presentation(s) at various AIM-Lab events in 2024–2025
Participation in the Web Summit Qatar (February 23–26, 2025)
Participation in NU-Q's AI Initiative-related community events and the AIM-Lab events throughout the year and submission of relevant deliverables and reflection reports (e.g., surveys, video interviews, analytical papers, written essays, visualization projects, etc.) after each event
Conference travels for R&D presentations and/or promotion of NU-Q/AIM-Lab: Research paper presentation if accepted, poster presentation if accepted, panel discussion if accepted, and/or promotion of NU-Q/AIM-Lab at the 75th ICA (International Communication Association) Annual Conference (Colorado, USA, June 12– 16, 2025), at the 108th AEJMC (Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication) Annual Conference (San Francisco, USA, August 6–10, 2025) or at equivalent local/international conferences relevant to your research field, such as MLA (Modern Language Association) Convention (New Orleans, USA, January 9–12, 2025), the CWSO (Creative Writing Studies Organization) Conference, IAMCR (International Association for Media and Communication Research) Conference(Singapore, July 13– 17, 2025), etc.
Final Written Report Submission due on or before June 30, 2025 for graduating seniors and due on or before August 31, 2025 for sophomores and juniors to receive the QAR2,000 completion reward.
AIM-Lab AURORA Grant competition is open to all advanced undergraduate students (rising Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors) who are in good academic standing and who are registered full-time at Northwestern University in Qatar.
Complete application packages (which should be submitted online via Qualtrics) are due on or before 5:00 p.m. Thursday September 12, 2024 (Qatar time) and must include the following:
A title, a 50-word abstract, a 250-word description of the R&D project, and a reference list of up to 10 scholarly/industry sources. If applying for an ongoing project, provide a summary of the current state of the project.
A 100-word description of your 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.)
A 50-word explanation or graphical presentation/budget sheet of how you would utilize the research funds (QAR 18,000) for R&D expenses/conference travel expenses.
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.
A note listing any other research fundings, grants, or fellowships (such as NU-Q IASFellowship, NU-Q Undergraduate Research Grant, NU-E Summer Undergraduate Research Grants, etc.) you are (or are planning on) applying to during Academic Year 2024–2025. Please note you are required to share other research fundings you are receiving with the AIM-LAB team.
A CV/résumé (maximum 2 pages) along with a 50-word narrative biography.
