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 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 benefit society more broadly.
Funding
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.
Eligibility
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.
Candidates will be required to confirm they are actively pursuing (enrolled in 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 behavior, including but not limited to discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment), or plagiarism will forfeit their funding.
Microsoft actively seeks to foster greater levels of diversity in our workforce and in our pipeline of future researchers and collaborators. They are always looking for the best and brightest talent and celebrating individuality. They invite candidates to come as they are and do what they love.
Proposal Criteria
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 one’s motivation to the research challenge, and outline the potential impact achieve through collaboration.
Be clearly written, in alignment with program guidelines.
Consider that readability and clarity are valued in the review process.
Application
All proposals should be submitted via the submission portal. 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 appendix and citations if applicable.
Candidate CV/resume to be uploaded in the submission portal.
