Accelerating Foundation Models Research (AFMR)

Accelerating Foundation Models Research (AFMR) provided Azure cloud credits and foundation model API access to academic researchers globally investigating AI alignment, human-AI interaction, and scientific discovery. It attracted ~400 proposals from 170 universities in 33 countries during active cycles. As of May 2026 Microsoft Research is transitioning AFMR to the Agentic AI Research and Innovation (AARI) initiative, described as 'a natural evolution of the foundation AFMR laid.' No open calls are listed on the current page. Levchik classifies as wound_down pending a landing page for AARI.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.