Microsoft Research Asia PhD Fellowship

About the Microsoft Research Asia PhD Fellowship

The Microsoft Research Asia Fellowship Program identifies the next generation of research leaders through a unique program that offers a combination of mentorship, research, networking, and academic opportunities to promising young candidates. Since its inception in 1999, 384 outstanding PhD students have been awarded the Microsoft Research Asia Fellowship honor. Fellows have gone on to become prominent researchers and influential individuals in academia and industry.

Each year, roughly 10 of the most outstanding doctoral students out of hundreds of candidates are recognized as Microsoft Research Asia fellows. Fellows earn more than a simple scholarship; they enjoy long-term close engagement with Microsoft Research Asia, one of the leading computer science research labs in the world. Read some of the feedback from previous recipients of the fellowship.

2016 application and award schedule

• Online submission deadline: June 25, 2016.

• Selected applicants will receive notification of their acceptance status by no later than October 15, 2016. Due to the volume of submissions, Microsoft Research Asia cannot provide individual feedback on applications that do not result in fellowship awards.

Provisions of the award

The Microsoft Research Asia Fellowship Program offers some of the industry’s most competitive incentives and rewards, including:

• Cash awards of $10,000 USD, which can be used to support research initiatives and academic endeavors including, but not limited to: attending international research conferences/events, and subsidizing paper and patent application fees.
• Guaranteed, but not required, three-month internship at Microsoft Research Asia.
• Opportunity for intensive and individualized mentorship programs with a dedicated senior researcher, to help facilitate the fellow's research until graduation.
• Opportunity to attend the Microsoft Research Asia PhD Forum, an elite, selective, limited-seating event for top senior PhD students from around the world.
• Opportunity to attend the 17th Computing in the 21st Century Conference—one of the most prestigious academic conferences in computer science in the Asia-Pacific region.
• At the discretion of Microsoft Research Asia, advisors of fellows might be invited to participate in collaborative research projects and academic exchange events.

Eligibility criteria

• Applicants must attend a university in mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, or Taiwan; and be enrolled in the computer science, electrical engineering, automation, or mathematics department. (Note: if your department is within the scope of these areas, but is titled differently, you are eligible.)
• Applicants for the Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship Program must be nominated by their universities, and their nominations must be confirmed by the office of the chair of the eligible department.
• According to the definition of the normative period of PhD program of the nominees’ university and region, the nominee must still be in eligible PhD program until spring semester of 2018. The applicants and their departments would be asked for supporting documents if needed.
• Multiple applicants from one supervisor will not be considered for acceptance.
• Special cases might be considered at the discretion of the Microsoft Research Asia Fellowship committee.
• Microsoft Research Asia Fellowship Committee owns the final interpretation of above clauses.

How to apply

• Application materials shall include:
  • Nominee’s application form: Download the application form template.
  • Nominee's curriculum vitae.
  • At least two letters of reference from established researchers familiar with the nominee’s research. Of these, one letter should come from the student's advisor. Scanned copies of the signed recommendation letters should be sent directly to fellowra@microsoft.com.
  • Either a video or PowerPoint presentation with an audio introduction (Office Mix is recommended). The video or presentation must be a maximum of 20 minutes and include a statement of purpose; previous, on-going, and future projects; research interests and accomplishments; and other relevant information.
  • Transcripts with academic grades for PhD, masters and bachelors study.
  • Research papers (if candidate has published papers).
  • Research plan (please include your research plan in the application form).

• Applications must be submitted via the online application tool in one of the following formats: Word document, zip, PDF, or text-only file (if your materials exceed 10 MB, please put your video or presentation with audio online and share the link in a text-only file). Nominees can submit materials directly.
• The information provided in the application is used for making our decision for the Microsoft Research Asia PhD Fellowship only. Applications submitted to Microsoft will not be returned. Microsoft cannot assume responsibility for the confidentiality of information in submitted applications. Therefore, applications should not contain information that is confidential, restricted, or sensitive. Microsoft reserves the right to make public information from applications that receive awards, except those portions containing budgetary or personally identifiable information.

This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/collaboration/global/asia-pacific/talent/fellowship-application.aspx#FAQ