Microsoft Research AI & Society Fellows Program 2024

Published: 07 Nov 2023

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 & Society.

Microsoft Research AI & Society Fellows Program

Application Deadline	November 29, 2023
Type	Research Grant
Sponsor	Microsoft
Gender	Men and Women

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

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.

In general, our research challenges seek eminent scholars from academia as well as experts from non-academia.

• 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, complimentary 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, complimentary expertise to a research challenge.

To be eligible to apply, 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. 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.

Selection Process

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