Microsoft Research AI & Society Fellows Program 2024 for Course

Eligibility Criteria

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.

Offered Benefits

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.

Application Process

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.