Microsoft Research Fellowship

What the Microsoft Research Fellowship gives you

You get a one-off grant of about EUR 16,000 to EUR 44,000 (17,000 to 47,000 USD), depending on your region. Europe gets around EUR 25,000 (27,000 USD). Africa, Australia, New Zealand, India, Latin America and most of Asia get around EUR 16,000 (17,000 USD). Canada and the USA get around EUR 44,000 (47,000 USD). The money is paid once, directly to your university, not to you personally, and it includes travel funds so you can visit Microsoft Research in person. The main point of the award is collaboration: you work with Microsoft Research scientists on a specific research problem they have defined, in areas such as AI, algorithms, quantum computing, materials science and AI for societal impact. It is a research partnership, not a job. The award is given by Microsoft Research.

Who can apply

• Level: You are a PhD student, a postdoc (a researcher who already holds a doctorate), or a professor. Professors must hold a completed doctorate such as a PhD or DSc.
• Enrolment or employment: As a PhD student, you are actively enrolled in a PhD programme at an accredited university that grants degrees. As a postdoc, you are employed or enrolled at an accredited institution.
• Field: Your work fits one of Microsoft's set research challenges for the current cycle, mostly in AI, computer science and related sciences.
• Region: You are based in an eligible region: Europe, Africa, Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand, India, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico or Puerto Rico.
• Backing: As a postdoc, you have a support letter from a faculty advisor or department head. As a professor, you name a PhD or equivalent student as co-applicant, and if selected you both become fellows.

How to apply

You apply yourself through Microsoft's online submission system. Applications by email are not accepted. Applications for the 2025/26 cycle closed on 16 December 2025, and selected fellows were notified on 27 February 2026. The next cycle has not yet been announced.

How realistic are your chances?

This is a global award run by one of the largest tech companies, so it draws strong applicants from many countries and the field is competitive. What can work in your favour is fit: your proposal has to match one of Microsoft's specific research challenges, so a sharp, well-aligned project in your exact area counts far more than a broad one. Microsoft gives no feedback on rejections and drops incomplete applications, so a complete, precisely targeted submission is what gives a well-matched researcher a real shot.