Key Takeaways
- Penn State’s Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence (CSRAI) is launching the “Research‑a‑thon,” a competition that rewards innovative uses of generative AI in academic research.
- Open to all Penn State researchers (individuals or teams); submissions are due Dec 1, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET via an online form.
- Entries must explain how generative AI contributed to any stage of a research project—literature review, hypothesis generation, experimental design, data collection/analysis, modeling, simulation, communication of results, or other tasks.
- Judging criteria focus on innovation/originality, the significance of AI’s contribution, and the impact on research outcomes.
- Cash prizes: $5,000 (first), $2,000 (second), $1,000 (third), plus $500 honorable‑mention awards.
- The event is the sixth in CSRAI’s series of challenges examining the benefits and dangers of generative AI.
- CSRAI, launched in 2020, promotes high‑impact, transformative AI research while stressing social and ethical considerations.
- For questions, contact Amulya Yadav ([email protected]) or visit the Research‑a‑thon website; Penn State’s broader AI vision aims to equip the campus community with the skills needed for an AI‑powered future.
Overview of the Research‑a‑thon
Penn State’s Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence (CSRAI) has announced the launch of the “Research‑a‑thon,” a competition designed to spotlight inventive applications of generative AI within scholarly work. The initiative invites researchers from across the university to showcase how AI tools have been woven into the fabric of their investigations. By framing the event as a celebration rather than a mere contest, CSRAI aims to foster a culture of experimentation and responsible innovation. As S. Shyam Sundar, director of CSRAI, explained, “The strongest submissions will demonstrate how AI has transformed both the conduct of the research and its outcomes, showcasing the transformative potential of generative AI.” This statement underscores the competition’s dual focus on methodological advancement and tangible research impact.
Eligibility and Submission Guidelines
The Research‑a‑thon is open to all Penn State researchers, including faculty, graduate students, post‑doctoral scholars, and staff, whether they work individually or as part of collaborative teams. Interested participants must submit their entries via the official Research‑a‑thon submission form no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on December 1, 2025. The form prompts applicants to provide a concise narrative that details the specific ways generative AI was employed in their project. CSRAI emphasizes that there is no restriction on the discipline or scope of the research; the only requirement is a clear articulation of AI’s role. This inclusive approach ensures that a wide array of scholarly activities—from the humanities to engineering—can be considered for recognition.
What Constitutes a Qualifying Entry
Submissions should describe how generative AI contributed to any stage of the research process, encompassing literature review, hypothesis generation, experimental design, data collection and analysis, modeling and simulation, communication of results, or other ancillary tasks. For example, a team might use large‑language models to synthesize recent scholarly articles, employ diffusion models to generate synthetic data for hypothesis testing, or leverage AI‑driven visualization tools to present complex findings. The guidelines deliberately avoid prescribing a single use‑case, instead encouraging entrants to highlight creativity and novelty in how AI technologies were integrated. By broadening the definition of qualifying work, CSRAI hopes to capture the full spectrum of AI‑enhanced inquiry taking place across Penn State’s campuses.
Evaluation Criteria and Judging Process
A panel of judges drawn from CSRAI’s faculty affiliates and external experts will assess each entry based on three primary criteria: innovation and originality, the significance of AI’s contribution to the research, and the impact on research outcomes. Innovation rewards novel applications or unconventional combinations of AI tools, while significance evaluates how essential the AI component was to achieving the study’s goals. Impact considers measurable improvements—such as accelerated timelines, enhanced analytical depth, or new insights that would have been unattainable without AI. Judges will score submissions on a rubric that balances these dimensions, ensuring that both methodological ingenuity and substantive scholarly advancement are recognized. The process aims to be transparent, with feedback provided to all participants upon request.
Awards and Recognition
Financial incentives are structured to motivate high‑quality entries: the first‑place winner receives $5,000, second‑place earns $2,000, and third‑place is awarded $1,000. In addition, several honorable‑mention awards of $500 each will be granted to projects that demonstrate notable merit despite not securing a top‑three slot. Beyond the monetary prizes, all entrants will receive certificates of participation, and selected projects may be featured in CSRAI’s newsletters, website, and upcoming symposia. This dual emphasis on tangible reward and public acknowledgment seeks to both incentivize participation and amplify the visibility of AI‑driven research across the university community.
Context Within CSRAI’s Challenge Series
The Research‑a‑thon marks the sixth installment in CSRAI’s ongoing series of challenges that explore the benefits and dangers of generative AI. Previous iterations have examined topics such as AI‑generated misinformation, ethical considerations in creative content production, and the use of AI for social good. By situating this competition within a broader programmatic framework, CSRAI aims to create a iterative learning environment where each challenge builds on insights from the last. The series reflects the center’s commitment to not only advancing AI technology but also critically examining its societal implications, thereby fostering a balanced discourse that informs both researchers and policymakers.
About the Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence
Launched in 2020, the Center for Socially Responsible Artificial Intelligence promotes high‑impact, transformative AI research and development while encouraging the consideration of social and ethical implications in all such endeavors. CSRAI supports a wide spectrum of activities, ranging from foundational theoretical work to applied projects that address real‑world problems in health, education, sustainability, and beyond. As part of its mission, the center regularly hosts workshops, speaker series, and collaborative grants that bring together interdisciplinary teams. This holistic approach ensures that AI advances are pursued with a mindful eye toward fairness, accountability, and the broader public good.
Penn State’s Broader AI Vision and Contact Information
Penn State is actively shaping the future of higher education in the age of artificial intelligence, with a strategic focus on human‑centered, ethical AI innovation that delivers meaningful impacts for the university and the wider community. Through visionary planning, strategic partnerships, targeted hiring, and sustained investment, the institution aims to equip every student, staff member, and faculty member with the AI‑related knowledge, experience, and confidence necessary to thrive in an AI‑powered future. For questions about the Research‑a‑thon, interested parties may visit the event’s website or contact Amulya Yadav, CSRAI associate director of programs, at [email protected]. Additional details about Penn State’s AI initiatives can be explored at psu.edu/ai.
https://www.psu.edu/news/campus-life/story/contest-invites-examples-innovative-use-ai-research