The Microsoft Research Fellowship is a global program that funds open research collaborations between Microsoft Research and academic scholars (faculty, PhD students, and postdocs). This article explains eligibility tied to being based at a degree-granting university in eligible regions, how applications vary by research challenge, required collaborators and support, stipend levels by region, behavioral and screening policies, and payment timing.
Eligibility and Application Essentials
The program accepts applications from students, faculty, and postdoctoral researchers. Eligibility and application details vary by research challenge; applicants must be based at a degree-granting university in one of the eligible regions listed below. Faculty proposals should identify a student collaborator. Postdocs must include faculty or department support when applying. For full application instructions and challenge-specific requirements, consult the program site.
- Who may apply: Students (PhD students), faculty (with student collaborator), postdocs (with faculty/department support)
- Eligible regions:
- Africa
- Australia & New Zealand
- Canada
- Europe
- India
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- South Korea
- Singapore
- Taiwan
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Mexico
- Puerto Rico
- United States
Award Details, Conditions, and Timeline
Awards are one-time unrestricted gifts paid to the recipient’s institution (not to individuals) and include travel support. Payments will be distributed in March/April 2026. If accepted, fellows are subject to a standard background screen. Fellows may also face disciplinary forfeiture for inappropriate behavior. Additional details, specific research challenges, and application instructions are provided on the program site.
- Payment and nature of award: One-time unrestricted gift paid to the institution; includes travel support; payments distributed in March/April 2026.
- Behavioral and screening policies: Fellows are subject to disciplinary forfeiture for inappropriate behavior; a standard background screen is required if accepted.
- Stipend amounts (USD) by region:
- Africa; Australia & New Zealand; Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Puerto Rico; India; Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan — $17,000
- Europe — $27,000
- Canada and United States — $47,000
Conclusion
The Microsoft Research Fellowship supports open collaborations between Microsoft Research and scholars worldwide. Eligibility hinges on being based at a degree-granting university within the listed regions and varies by research challenge; students, faculty (with student collaborators), and postdocs (with faculty/department support) may apply. Awards are one-time institutional gifts with travel support, region-based stipends, and March/April 2026 payments. For full application details and challenge-specific rules, visit the program site.