Microsoft Research Fellowship 2025: Global Call for Proposals

YC TeamNovember 8, 20252 Mins read40

Deadline: December 2, 2025
Funding: Up to USD 47,000 (depending on region)
Eligible Regions: Africa, Australia & New Zealand, Canada, Europe, India, East Asia, Latin America, and the United States

About the Microsoft Research Fellowship

The Microsoft Research Fellowship 2025 is a prestigious global program designed to foster collaboration between academia and Microsoft Research. It supports faculty, PhD students, and postdoctoral researchers who are working to advance open research challenges with scientific, technological, and societal impact.

The fellowship encourages interdisciplinary innovation by connecting academic scholars with Microsoft’s world-class researchers and labs. Together, they explore solutions that promote responsible innovation and accelerate scientific discovery.

Fellowship Objectives

Strengthen collaboration between academia and industry.
Drive innovation across disciplines and technologies.
Promote responsible and inclusive development in research.
Enable scholars to contribute to real-world, high-impact projects.

Who Can Apply

General Eligibility

The Microsoft Research Fellowship 2025 is open to scholars affiliated with accredited, degree-granting institutions located in:
Africa, Australia & New Zealand, Canada, Europe, India, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States.

Applicants may apply under one of three categories: PhD students, faculty, or postdoctoral researchers.

Student Eligibility

Must be actively pursuing a PhD at an accredited institution in an eligible region.
May submit proposals independently.
Must provide two letters of recommendation, one from the faculty advisor.

Faculty Eligibility

Professors, Assistant Professors, or Associate Professors may apply.
A faculty proposal must include the name of a student collaborator.
Both faculty and student will be named Fellows if selected.

Postdoctoral Eligibility

Postdocs may apply independently but must provide a support letter from a faculty advisor or department chair.
Must be employed or affiliated with an eligible university or institution.

Fellowship Benefits and Funding

Fellows receive unrestricted financial awards to support collaboration between their university and Microsoft Research. All funds are disbursed as one-time payments to the host institution.

Funding by Region

Africa – USD 17,000
Australia & New Zealand – USD 17,000
Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Puerto Rico) – USD 17,000
Canada – USD 47,000
Europe – USD 27,000
India – USD 17,000
Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan – USD 17,000
United States – USD 47,000

Funding includes travel support for in-person collaboration with Microsoft Research teams.

Key Dates

Submission Deadline: December 2, 2025 (11:59 PM ET)

Notification of Results: February 10, 2026

Funding Distribution: March–April 2026

Application Process

All applications must be submitted through the official submission portal (no email submissions accepted).

Required Documents for Students

Full name, university, department, and region.
Research focus summary (100 words)
Statement of Interest (up to 3 pages, with optional references page)
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Two recommendation letters (one from academic supervisor).
Statement of Interest Guidelines

The Statement of Interest should:

Explain your motivation and alignment with the research challenge.
Describe your relevant experience, qualifications, and potential contributions.
Highlight any preliminary work or ongoing research in the area.
Outline how collaboration with Microsoft Research could drive innovation.
Formatting: 10-point font, 1-inch margins, maximum of 4 pages (including references).

Evaluation Criteria

A strong proposal will:

Clearly define the research challenge and expected societal or technological impact.
Demonstrate the applicant’s experience, motivation, and expertise.
Reflect clear alignment with Microsoft’s research goals.
Be well-structured, clear, and concise.