Microsoft Research Fellowship

Microsoft Research Fellowship

Funds research talent through annual fellowships for computing and artificial intelligence work.

Eligibility · EU member states

⚠ This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.

The Microsoft Research Fellowship is an annual unrestricted cash gift program that supports academic scholars — PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty — who are advancing open research challenges aligned with Microsoft Research priorities. Award amounts vary by geography: $47,000 for applicants in the United States and Canada; $27,000 for applicants in Europe; and $17,000 for applicants in all other covered regions, including Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, India, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan. Funds are paid directly to the recipient's accredited institution as unrestricted gifts in March or April of the award year and are not wired to individuals personally.

The 2026 cycle followed an annual pattern with the call for proposals opening November 4, 2025, proposals due December 16, 2025, notifications in February 2026, and disbursements in March/April 2026. The 2027 cycle is expected to open in Fall 2026 based on this annual pattern. Three applicant tracks exist: PhD students may self-submit; postdoctoral applicants require a faculty advisor attestation; faculty applicants must name a student participant in their proposal. All tracks require a statement of interest (maximum three pages, with a fourth page permitted for citations) and two letters of recommendation.

The fellowship is aligned with Microsoft Research priority areas including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and environmental sustainability. Recipients also receive travel support for in-person collaboration at Microsoft Research labs. Proposals that directly address a named Microsoft Research challenge or that situate the proposed work within an ongoing collaboration with Microsoft Research staff have historically fared well in the competitive review process.