RAISE AI Bridge @ Texas A&M

A one-week training and team-formation summit and linked seed grant initiative to catalyze interdisciplinary teams, translate advanced AI into novel solutions, and support seed projects for future extramural funding.

MISSION

To bridge foundational and use-inspired AI research across Texas A&M by pairing AI method experts with domain researchers in structured ideation via a unique, linked tutorial-seed grant initiative to catalyze interdisciplinary teams, translate advanced AI into novel solutions, and support seed projects for future extramural funding

GOALS

Over the summit week, the program demystifies modern AI, including large language models and agents, vision and vision-language models, reinforcement learning and post-training, and AI for Science & Engineering, while pairing method builders with domain PIs to co-define problems, needs, and approaches for future research collaborations. The immediate goal is seed readiness for the linked seed grant. Over the following year, the aim is to translate these projects into proposals for extramural funding and accelerate Texas A&M University’s leadership in cutting-edge, use-inspired AI research.

The summit pairs tutorial training, spotlight presentations, poster sessions, and structured matchmaking to catalyze interdisciplinary teaming and measurable progress toward novel research proposals.

The summit is open to all members of the Texas A&M University System—including Ph.D. students, postdoctoral researchers, research engineers and scientists, and faculty across domains—with different topics presented each day, allowing participants to choose which days most align with their goals.

Each day of the workshop will cover a different aspect of AI research, allowing up to 120 Texas A&M researchers per day to gain training in the latest AI methodologies, technologies, and innovations. Participants will need to separately register for each day they wish to attend.

Day 1 —  Foundations of Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning 

Day 2 — Large Language Models (LLMs)

Day 3 — Computer Vision and Vision Language Models (VLMs)

Day 4 — Reinforcement Learning, Post-Training, Reasoning, and Agents for LLMs

Day 5 — Physics-informed ML, AI for science and engineering, Bayesian Learning, and Uncertainty Quantification

While in-person participation is encouraged, Zoom access will be provided for those unable to attend in person.

SUMMIT DAILY AGENDA

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM	Research Opportunity Slide Breakfast: Participants are offered breakfast while a slide show of upcoming grant opportunities is displayed.
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM	Morning Tutorial: Leading Texas A&M experts from the Research in Artificial Intelligence for Science and Engineering (RAISE) Initiative will provide in-depth training on the latest AI methodologies, technologies, and innovations.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM	Networking Lunch.
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM	Use-Inspired Spotlight: Domain scientists are invited to provide a three-minute, three-slide presentation on their research: (Slide 1) Problem description, (Slide 2) Data description, and (Slide 3) How AI can help. They are required to submit their slides in advance, and we will combine them into a single file for a seamless transition.
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM	Poster Session: The poster session is open to participants and graduate students, featuring both foundational and use-inspired AI research.  RDO Q&A: Research Development Officers will be on hand to answer questions from participants about upcoming funding opportunities, grant development, and available resources.

Submissions open from January 9 to February 9, 2026

The program will provide small awards ($20,000) to interdisciplinary teams pursuing novel and innovative one-year research projects with potential for external funding.

Applicants do NOT need to participate in the linked summit training session to submit a proposal.

Grant Proposal Eligibility: The call is open to faculty members from Texas A&M University (including Galveston and other branch campuses) and its Texas A&M University System partner research state agencies (i.e., Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas Engineering Experiment Station) who are eligible to act as principal investigators for external funding.

More information about the AI Bridge Seed Grant opportunity will be available soon!

ORGANIZERS