D^3 Associate Program

The D^3 Associate Program is designed to support and accelerate faculty research into the ways AI and digital technologies are reshaping companies, organizations, society, and practice. It aims to achieve this by engaging with faculty members at Harvard Business School and the broader Harvard research community, as well as partners in industry and government, offering funding for both new and ongoing research projects. One-year awards start at $50,000.

Interested faculty members are invited to submit project proposals that outline their research design, data sources (even if data have not yet been acquired), and research methodologies. Examples of potential research areas include:

• Ethics and Responsibility
• Healthcare Delivery
• Life Sciences
• Government Policy and Strategy
• Data Privacy and Generative AI
• Intellectual Property
• Teaching, Learning, and Pedagogy
• Labor Market Implications
• Governance
• Sustainable technology
• Digital Inclusion and Accessibility
• User experience and design thinking

Proposals should include topics that address how society and business are interacting with artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies. Projects with a collection of interdisciplinary faculty or that engage faculty from across schools are welcome. All groups must have at least one Harvard-affiliated faculty member.

Thank you to all applicants for your interest in the D^3 Associate Program. The submission period is now officially closed. If you have already applied, please note that notifications of awards will be sent by December 2, with a project start date of January 1, 2025.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact our team at d3associates@hbs.edu.

Post Award Program Requirements 

D^3 offers a range of ways for Associates to actively engage with the D^3 community and both contribute to and benefit from the Institute’s platforms and resources. These include:

• D^3 Research Workshop: Present and share project insights, receive feedback, and exchange ideas with peers and researchers.
• D^3 Events: Showcase your project’s outcomes to D^3’s broad audience, highlighting the impact of your research.
• Industry Member Day Presentation: Foster connections with industry and strengthen the practical applicability of your research.
• Learning Products: Collaborate with the Insights and Experiences team at D^3 to create learning content that translates your research into practical and impactful materials (e.g., interviews, recorded instructional videos, and/or short learning activities).

Progress Check-ins: The D^3 research team will be in touch with the project teams to facilitate progress check-ins.

Questions? 

Check out our FAQs or send us an email at d3associates@hbs.edu.

FAQs

Who is eligible?

Individual faculty members and collections of faculty, including faculty from across disciplines or schools, are welcome. All groups must have at least one Harvard-affiliated faculty member.

What type of projects are eligible for funding? 

Projects should align with D^3’s mission and explore how society and business interact with AI and digital technologies. Applications should include concrete and finalized ideas with research objectives and input data identified, clear outcomes, and impact.

Can ongoing research projects apply for funding?

Yes, but the proposal should describe how the additional support will enable unique insights or broader impact.

Can I apply for multiple projects?

Yes, but faculty members are only eligible to receive a single award. 

What is the award amount? 

Starting at $50,000 

How long is each award for? 

1 year, starting January 1, 2025

How do I apply? 

Thank you to all applicants for your interest in the D^3 Associate Program. The submission period for Fall 2024 is now officially closed.

When is the application due? 

The submission period for Fall 2024 is now officially closed

When will the notification of award be made? 

Round 1 notifications will be made December 2, 2024 with a project start date of January 1, 2025. 

What are the post-award requirements? 

Award recipients must submit mid-term and final reports. In addition, they must actively engage with the D^3 community through participating in the following:  

• D^3 Research Workshop 
• D^3 Community Event 
• Industry Member Day
• Creating a Learning Product

Further details on post-award requirements will be shared once selected. 

How often will project progress be monitored? 

Progress will be monitored through mid-year and final check-ins. 

What kind of support will D^3 provide during the project?

D^3 does not provide administrative support for research projects for this program. Resources for the development of external content will be supported by D^3. 

Who can I contact for more information or assistance with the application?

Please email d3associates@hbs.edu with any questions on the application process.