Online applications are invited for the Microsoft AI Research Fellowship Program 2024. This program is for experts from academic + non-academic CSE disciplines. Apply by Nov 29, 2023.

About Microsoft Research AI Program

The Microsoft Research AI & Society fellows program aims to catalyze research collaboration between Microsoft Research and eminent scholars and experts across a range of disciplines core to discussions at the intersection of AI and its impact on society.

Microsoft AI Research Fellowship Program 2024

Microsoft recognizes the value of bridging academic, industry, policy, and regulatory worlds and seeks to ignite interdisciplinary collaboration that drives real-world impact.

Through a global, open call for proposals targeting a specific set of research challenges, Microsoft will facilitate strategic collaborations, catalyze new research ideas, and contribute publicly available works to benefit scholarly discourse and society more broadly.

The details of the program vary by research challenge. Please review the “Research Challenges” for more information and eligibility, “How to apply” to submit a proposal and our “FAQ” for answers to commonly asked questions.

Program Details

  • The Microsoft Research AI & Society Fellows program supports interdisciplinary AI research in the context of societal impact.
  • The program offers opportunities for fellows from fields beyond core computer sciences to join and support interdisciplinary research conversations with Microsoft Researchers.
  • By facilitating these new collaborations, Microsoft aims to scale the impact of collective research efforts at the intersection of AI and society.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Microsoft is seeking eminent scholars and leading experts from a wide range of fields and disciplines to join a variety of interdisciplinary collaborations focused on key research challenges.
  • The submission criteria and eligibility guidelines vary by research challenge for this program.
  • Please review the research challenge descriptions and eligibility details below for more information.
  • Microsoft’s research challenges generally seek eminent scholars from academia and non-academic experts.
  • Leading experts from non-academic disciplines
    • Experts from non-academic disciplines whose focus of work is beyond core computer science pursuits and who offer unique, complementary expertise to a research challenge. To be considered a “leading expert”, we are looking for those who have earned their relevant terminal degree in their field (e.g., PhD, MFA, J.D., M.D. etc.)
  • Eminent scholars pursuing research and instruction in academic venues
    • Professors or students who have achieved or are pursuing their terminal degree in research fields, whose studies/instruction are focused beyond core computer science pursuits, and who offer unique, complementary expertise to a research challenge.
  • To be eligible to apply, candidates will be required to confirm they are actively pursuing (enrolled in the program) or have already earned their terminal degree in their respective field or discipline. A terminal degree is defined as the highest-level college degree that can be achieved within your academic discipline or professional field.
  • A fellow selected to be a part of the Microsoft Research AI & Society Fellows program is subject to disciplinary proceedings for inappropriate behaviour, including but not limited to discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment), or plagiarism will forfeit their funding.
  • Microsoft actively seeks to foster greater diversity in our workforce and our pipeline of future researchers and collaborators. We are always looking for the best and brightest talent and celebrating individuality. We invite candidates to come as they are and do what they love.

Awards

The purpose of this program is to support interdisciplinary research collaboration across academia and industry in pursuit of addressing significant research opportunities at the intersection of AI and society.

The fellowship is intended to provide a range of opportunities to collaborate with Microsoft Research to pursue cross-disciplinary discourse and drive impactful research outcomes in a range of formats. Collaboration opportunities will vary by research challenge but may include working sessions meetings, asynchronous collaboration, workshops, events, etc.

Funding amounts vary by the region a fellows’ organization/institution of employment is located in. All funds are distributed as unrestricted gifts as a one-time payment.

  • Africa – $15K (USD)
  • Australia & New Zealand – $15K (USD)
  • Canada – $45K (USD)
  • Europe – $15K (USD)
  • India – $15K (USD)
  • Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan – $15K (USD)
  • United States – $45K (USD)

All payments will be distributed in March/April 2024. At the appropriate time, Microsoft will work with respective departmental finance liaisons to transfer funds. Payment of the award, as described above, will be made directly to the institution/organization, and dispersed according to the institution/ organization policies. Microsoft will have discretion as to how any remaining funds will be used if the recipient is no longer qualified to receive funding.

Research Challenges

  • The Microsoft Research AI & Society Fellows program is seeking eminent scholars and leading experts in various fields to support the following research challenges.
  • They invite you to consider each of the challenges below.
  • You can submit a proposal on the “How to apply” tab or beneath each research challenge description.
  • An individual can submit to multiple research challenges (a maximum of three) provided they are eligible. A candidate will only be selected to join one research challenge as a “fellow”.
  • Click here for more details on research challenges.

How to Apply?

Proposal criteria

All proposals should be submitted via the submission portal (see above). Proposals will not be accepted by email.

Each submission will include

  • Candidate information (region, institution, research/work focus, etc.)
  • “Statement of Interest” title (80 characters or less)
  • Submission of a “Statement of Interest” document.
    • This document should be 3 pages (or less) in length, which may include an appendix and citations if applicable.
    • See additional instructions and guidance in the “Statement of Interest Requirements” section below.
  • Candidate CV/resume to be uploaded in the submission portal.

A strong submission will

  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of the research challenge and its aims for societal impact.
  • Describe relevant work/accomplishments, demonstrate the alignment of one’s motivation to the research challenge, and outline the potential impact achieved through collaboration.
  • Be clearly written and in alignment with program guidelines.
  • Consider that readability and clarity are valued in the review process.

Statement of Interest Guidelines

  • Describe the motivation, or “why”, behind the candidate’s interest in research exploration in this research challenge. They are specifically looking for candidates to describe how their research goals and aspirations align with this challenge.
  • Description of relevant qualifications, expertise and perspectives the candidate would bring to the research challenge and how this experience would impact the outcomes of this collaboration.
  • Detail any relevant areas that you would like to collaborate on with the Microsoft researchers and applied scientists listed as involved in the research challenge and how collaboration could create an impact in those areas.
  • Where applicable, include details of any relevant, preliminary research or work that shows progress and investment in this space.

Requirements

  • All submissions should be submitted by the candidate (self-submission).
  • Please do not add additional requests for budget, as these will not be considered under the guidelines of this fellowship.
  • Statement of Interest documents should be a minimum 10-point font with a maximum of 3 pages. Margins should be 1” or wider to ensure readability. Option to submit as Word document or PDF file.
  • All proposals should be submitted in English.

Additional guidelines

  • Applications submitted to Microsoft will not be returned. Microsoft cannot assume responsibility for the confidentiality of information in submitted applications. Therefore, applications should not contain information that is confidential, restricted, or sensitive.
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Due to the volume of submissions, Microsoft Research cannot provide individual feedback on applications that do not receive fellowship awards.

Click here to apply now!

Important Dates

  • November 2, 2023, | Call for proposals opens globally
  • November 29, 2023 (11:59:59 PM ET) | Proposal deadline
  • January 30, 2024 | Global announcement of the 2023 Microsoft Research AI & Society Fellows
  • February 2024 – February 2025 | Research collaboration between Microsoft Research and selected fellows

Click here to view the official notification of the Microsoft AI Research Fellowship Program 2023.

FAQs

What is expected for proposals?

Please visit How to Apply for detailed information on what should be included in your proposal.

How do I submit my proposal?

You will find a link to the submission portal at the top of the How to Apply tab. The call for proposals will be open from November 1 – 29, 2023. We will not accept proposals sent by email.

Can I apply to more than one challenge?

Yes. Provided you meet all the eligibility requirements, you may submit multiple, separate proposals to different research challenges (up to three separate proposals). If selected, you are likely to only be selected into one research challenge collaboration.

What are the general eligibility requirements for this program?

Microsoft is seeking eminent scholars and leading experts from a wide range of fields and disciplines to join a variety of interdisciplinary collaborations. The criteria and guidelines vary by research challenge under the Microsoft Research AI & Society Fellows program.
There are two primary audiences who are eligible to apply. 1) leading experts from non-academic disciplines and 2) eminent scholars pursuing research and instruction in academic venues.
A fellow selected to be a part of the Microsoft Research AI & Society Fellows program is subject to disciplinary proceedings for inappropriate behaviour, including but not limited to discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment), or plagiarism will forfeit their funding.
To be eligible to apply, candidates will be required to confirm they are actively pursuing (enrolled in the program) or have already earned their terminal degree in their respective field or discipline. A terminal degree is defined as the highest-level college degree that can be achieved within your academic discipline or professional field.
To learn more, please review the descriptions and eligibility details for specific research challenges.

How do I know if I am eligible to apply?

Please view the specific requirements for each research challenge to answer eligibility questions.

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