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.
About Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company with headquarters in Redmond, Washington. It develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services. Its best known software products are the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, the Microsoft Office suite, and the Internet Explorer and Edge web browsers. Its flagship hardware products are the Xbox video game consoles and the Microsoft Surface lineup of touchscreen personal computers... read more... continue reading
Subscribe for scholarship alert.
Be among the first to know whenever new Microsoft scholarship is going on.
Microsoft Research AI & Society Fellows Program
Aim and Benefits of Microsoft Research AI & Society Fellows Program
- 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 for 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.
- 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.
Requirements for Microsoft Research AI & Society Fellows Program Qualification
- 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.
Interview date, Process and Venue for Microsoft Research AI & Society Fellows Program
Statement of Interest guidelines
- Describe the motivation, or “why”, behind candidate’s interest in research exploration in this research challenge. We are specifically looking for candidates to describe how their research goals and aspirations align to 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 impact in those areas.
- Where applicable, include details of any relevant, preliminary research or work that shows progress and investment in this space.
Key dates:
- November 2, 2023 | Call for proposals opens globally
- November a29, 2023 (11:59:59 PM ET) | Proposal deadline
- January 30, 2024 | Global announcement of 2023 Microsoft Research AI & Society Fellows
- February 2024 – February 2025 | Research collaboration period
Application Deadline
November 29, 2023
How to Apply
Interested and qualified? Go to
Microsoft on webportalapp.com to apply
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 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 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.
For more details, visit Microsoft website
