Rolling Admission Application: Spring 2026 Design for Social Innovation (DFSI)
2025-12-31
Led by TPI Co-Director Sarah Holloway — Spring 2026
Focus: AI for Impact
This 3-credit, project-based course is open to students across Columbia’s undergraduate and graduate schools. In Spring 2026, the class will partner with NYC-based nonprofits and public-sector organizations to explore how artificial intelligence can amplify their mission and impact.
Application Deadline: Friday, November 7, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Learn more and apply here.

Overview
Are you interested in tackling complex global problems through tech-enabled solutions?
This experiential course is open to students from across Columbia’s 20 undergraduate and graduate schools. Working in interdisciplinary teams, students will support real clients to address complex global problems through human centered design. Past clients include Warby Parker, NYC Department of Education, Sesame Workshop, Apple, UNDP, and others. In Spring 2026, the course will focus on AI for Impact, partnering with NYC-based nonprofit and public-sector organizations to explore how artificial intelligence can amplify their mission and impact.
Course Details
This 3.0 credit course will take place in-person on Wednesdays from 1:10pm – 3:00pm at the Columbia
Entrepreneurship Design Studio (meeting all but three Wednesdays when teams are “out of the building” interviewing, workshopping and with teaching team in office hours). In addition to class time, there will be one mandatory Design Sprint on Friday, January 30. Please do not apply for the course unless you believe you can attend the Friday session.
Students conduct stakeholder research and interviews, develop insights through human-centered design, iterate
ideas, and create working prototypes and implementation blueprints for their clients.
The application-only course will accept a total of 30 students for the Spring 2026 term.
Application Instructions
To apply for the course, please complete the application form and include a 1-minute video. Detailed instructions can be found in the form. If selected, you will be placed on a team based on your background and interest.
