Call for AI 360° Research Proposals
Inspiring Bold AI Research
The AI 360° Research Forum at FIU Business invites proposals for Artificial Intelligence (AI) research proposals in business disciplines, including proposals that incorporate quantum computing in business. The Forum offers $1,000 per College of Business (COB) faculty member for selected proposals, with a maximum of three COB faculty members per team. Applications are open to professors of all ranks across COB academic units. To participate, complete the following steps.
Step 1: Attend the COB AI 360° Research Forum Meeting on November 6, 2026
Faculty teams seeking funding must attend the COB AI 360° Faculty Research Forum on November 6, 2026. During the “Lightning Round,” each team will have 10 minutes to pitch a research idea, followed by 5 minutes for audience feedback and discussion. Participants are expected to attend the full event (10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.) and engage in discussion of all proposals.
Previously funded research and completed research that is under review or published are not eligible. Any AI-related business research topic is welcome.
Topics include, but are not limited to:
- AI and the Future of Work & Human-AI Collaboration
- AI for Sustainable Business Practices & Social Impact
- AI in Accounting and Auditing
- AI in Education & Learning Systems
- AI in Ethics, Governance & Regulation
- AI in Finance
- AI in Healthcare
- AI in Human Resource Management
- AI in Marketing & Consumer Behavior
- AI in Operations Management
- AI in Supply Chain and Logistics
- AI Leadership and Strategic Decision Making
- AI in Real Estate
- Innovation and Digital Transformation
- Quantum Computing in Business
Step 2: Proposal Submissions Due November 20, 2026
After pitching on November 6, 2026, each team seeking funding must submit a one-page structured abstract summarizing the proposal.
The proposal submission link will be provided to registered Lightning Talk participants who attend and remain through the end of the November 6 event at 2:00 p.m.
Required materials include a one-page research proposal and CVs for all team members.
Proposals are due on November 20, 2026. Funding decisions will be announced by December 14, 2026.
The research proposal should include:
- Title
- Authors and Affiliation
- Research Objective and Significance
- Methodology and Approach
- Expected Contributions and Impact
- Target Publication Outlets
- Funding Request/Estimated Budget Needs
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be reviewed using these criteria:
- Relevance and significance of the research question
- Innovation and originality
- Feasibility and soundness of methodology
- Timeline for research progress and key deliverables
- Prospects for publication and impact
Proposal Review Committee
- Dr. Karlene Cousins – AI Integration Sponsor
- Dr. Min Chen and Dr. Qiang Kang – AI 360° Research Co-Chairs
Appointment Length and Use of Funds
- Appointments run from January 1, 2027 to May 12, 2028. Funds may be used to purchase AI research resources consistent with FIU’s faculty development account expenditure guidelines.
- Faculty will be recognized as AI 360° Research Fellows.
- Faculty with Quantum research projects will be recognized as AI 360° Quantum
Research Fellows
Responsibilities of Selected Faculty
- Attend, participate in, and present work in progress at scheduled AI 360° Research Workshops during the appointment.
- Present the funded working paper at the AI 360° Research Symposium.
- Post their funded working paper in the online AI 360° Working Paper Series.
- Submit the completed working paper to a peer-reviewed journal.
Procedures for Existing Cohort 1 AI 360° Research Fellows Only
Unfunded Appointment Extensions
Existing Cohort 1 AI 360° Research Fellows may request an unfunded appointment extension through May 12, 2028, by submitting a written request that includes:
- The current status of the research project;
- An explanation of why additional time is needed; and
- The outcomes expected during the extension period.
Apply for unfunded appointment extensions
Funded Re-appointments
Existing Cohort 1 AI 360° Research Fellows may apply for new funding and reappointment through May 12, 2028, if their previously funded project is completed and under review, accepted, or published in a peer-reviewed journal. Because funding is limited, priority will go to faculty who have not previously received an AI 360° Research Faculty appointment and research funds.
The request should include:
- The current status of the prior research project;
- The full citation and publication venue for the completed project; and
- A brief description of the new research project to be pursued.
Interested faculty should register for the event on November 6 and complete the application below:
Contact Us
AI360° is dedicated to fostering an environment where AI innovation thrives, preparing our community to lead in a technology-driven world.
Email: ai360@fiu.edu