The Microsoft Research Asia Fellowship Program 2022 is now accepting applications. The initiative finds the future generation of research leaders through a one-of-a-kind program that provides promising young applicants with mentorship, research, networking, and academic opportunities. Since its start in 1999, the program has attracted over 1000 Ph.D. candidates from Asia-Pacific premier universities, and 441 excellent Ph.D. students have received the Microsoft Research Asia Fellowship honor. Fellows have become well-known researchers and leaders in academia and industry. They are currently offering Ph.D. fellowships in Asia-Pacific, Canada, the United States, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa), and Latin America.

Organizer: Microsoft
Application Deadline: June 7, 2022
Online Interview: Mid-August
Result Announcement: September 28, 2022

Fellows receive more than just a stipend; they also benefit from long-term close collaboration with Microsoft Research Asia, one of the world’s leading computer science research centers. Each recipient will have the opportunity to do an internship at Microsoft Research. to participate in hands-on, advanced research. Candidates are encouraged to come as they are and do what they enjoy. Below you can find all the details of the Middle East region.

Benefits:

The Microsoft Research Asia Fellowship Program provides some of the most competitive incentives and prizes in the business, including:

• Cash grants of $15,000 can be utilized to fund research projects and academic activities such as attending international research conferences/events and supporting paper and patent application fees.
• Opportunity for rigorous and personalized mentorship programs with a designated senior researcher to aid the fellow’s research till graduation.
• Attendance at the Microsoft Research Asia Academic Conference is available.
• Advisors of fellows may be invited to engage in collaborative research initiatives and academic exchange events at the discretion of Microsoft Research Asia.

Eligibility Criteria:

• D. Candidates must attend a Middle Eastern university.
• Proposed research must be related to one of the Microsoft Research Cambridge themes:
  Cloud infrastructure
  Future of work
  Health Intelligence
  Confidential computing

• The candidate must graduate in 2024 or later, according to the definition of the normative term of Ph.D. programs at the applicant’s university and region. If necessary, candidates and their advisors will be required to provide supporting documentation.
• The Microsoft Research Asia Fellowship Committee finalizes the interpretation of the terms mentioned above.
• Ph.D. Candidates submitting a proposal should be able to talk about their research in English (both verbally and in writing).

Proposal Details

In a form, you will be asked to answer the following questions:

• Your name, email address, country, university, and department.
• Primary research area (from those listed below)

  Cloud infrastructure
  Future Work
  Health intelligence
  Confidential Computing

• Title of the thesis proposal or research statement.
• Month and year of entry into the Ph.D. program and predicted graduation date (you must be in your third year or beyond between August 2022 and July 2023).
• URL to your professional website (optional but strongly recommended; you are encouraged to make sure it is up-to-date).
• One to three academic conferences that you are most likely to attend.
• Statement of Good Standing self-evaluation.

Required Documents

• Updated CV
• Thesis proposal or research statement (no more than two pages, including references, with type no lower than 10-point) – thesis file name.
• Summary of the above thesis proposal or research statement (maximum 150 words; font size no less than 10-point) – filename: summary.

You will be asked to request two letters of recommendation (the third one being optional) via the submission portal:

Application Requirements:

Applications must include the following:

• A form of application (download template)
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Statement of Research This statement (of about 1,000 words) summarizes your research accomplishments and ongoing efforts while highlighting your most exceptional contribution to academia. It must highlight your work’s potential and future direction, particularly your research strategy for the next few years of Ph.D. studies.
• At least two letters of recommendation from well-known researchers familiar with your study. One of these letters should be from your advisor. Those recommending you should send scanned copies of their signed recommendation letters to [email protected].

How to apply for Microsoft Research Fellowship?

Ph.D. students must apply for the award directly. Applications must be submitted in one of the following formats via the online application tool: Word document, text-only file, PDF file, or ZIP archive. Email or paper applications will not be accepted.

Microsoft’s applications will not be returned. Microsoft cannot guarantee the confidentiality of information contained in submitted applications. As a result, applications should not include any confidential, restricted, or sensitive information. Incomplete applications will be rejected. Microsoft Research Asia cannot provide individual feedback on applicants that do not win fellowship awards due to the volume of entries.

Apply now

For detailed/more information Microsoft Research Fellowship, please visit Microsoft’s website.

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