In This FAQ:
Current Schedule
Selection Criteria
Application Process
Fellowship Review Process
Fellowship Award Details
Current Schedule
When is the deadline for my university to submit my application online?
- Microsoft will begin accepting applications on Monday, August 17, 2009.
- Completion date for all applications: Friday, October 9, 2009 at 11:59 PM PST. Late and incomplete applications are not considered.
- No notification of incompleteness will be made.
- No exceptions to the deadline will be approved.
Selection Criteria
Are non-U.S. citizens eligible to apply?
Yes, if you are a full-time, PhD student attending an eligible U.S. or Canadian school in academic year 2010, you are eligible.
Are international students eligible to apply?
Yes, if you are a full-time international student at an eligible U.S. or Canadian school and pursuing your PhD in academic year 2010, you are eligible.
What if I’m an international student attending a university outside the U.S. or Canada?
The Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship program includes only U.S. and Canadian schools. If you are an international student attending a school outside the U.S. and Canada, you are not eligible for this fellowship. For information on international fellowship opportunities, visit the Microsoft Research Fellowship Web site.
What if I am not starting my second or third year in academic year 2010?
Students must be starting their second or third year in an eligible PhD program in the fall semester or fall quarter of 2009 to apply for this program.
Do I have to be nominated by my university or can I apply on my own?
To be considered for the program, you must be nominated by an eligible university. A representative from that university must also submit the application on your behalf.
Which university departments are eligible to participate?
Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Mathematics departments at eligible universities may each nominate up to three students. If your department falls in the broad scope of computer science, electrical engineering, or mathematics but is called something else, your department can nominate you as well. However, we prefer that your department coordinates with and sends your nomination through Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Mathematics departments. If your department is unable to coordinate with one of these three departments at your school, please encourage your departmental chair’s office to contact us at msfellow@microsoft.com.
Application Process
How do I submit my application?
You must be nominated by an eligible department at your school. See the preceding section for department eligibility requirements. Your school contact can find all the necessary information and access the application form from the Microsoft Research Fellowship Web site. The eligible departmental chair's office must upload your application to the online submission site.
What format should I use for my CV, thesis proposal, and reference letters?
All required documents must be submitted as individual documents in Word, PDF, or text-only formats.
How long should my thesis proposal be?
Your proposal should be no more than five (5) pages.
What if I don't yet have a thesis proposal to include in my application?
If you do not have an approved thesis proposal but are otherwise eligible, please submit a research statement that provides us with the direction you plan to pursue in your research in this and the next academic year.
Will more than three letters of recommendation be accepted in support of an application?
No. Only three (3) letters of recommendation will be accepted. One (1) letter must be from the student's advisor.
Who actually registers with the application system site and completes the application information--the submitter or the applicant?
All application materials must be submitted by the person designated as the application contact by the departmental chair's office. The submitter must not be the applicant.
Fellowship Review Process
Who will review the nominations?
Applications will be reviewed by researchers from Microsoft Research, whose expertise covers a wide range of disciplines. After the first review, a selection of applicants is invited for live interviews. Award winners are chosen from the finalists.
When will I know the outcome of the review process?
All applicants will be notified of award decisions (regardless of outcome) on February 8, 2010. Due to the volume of submissions, Microsoft Research cannot provide individual feedback on applications that do not receive Fellowship awards.
Fellowship Award Details
If selected, when will my fellowship begin?
Fellowships awarded in February will receive their financial awards beginning in August of that year. Microsoft sends payment directly to your university, and your university will disperse funds according to their guidelines.
If selected, am I required to complete an internship at Microsoft Research?
Internships are encouraged, but not required as part of the award. However, as part of your award, you are invited to complete one 12-week internship, within the year directly following your award.
See also: Microsoft Research Internships
If I am awarded a fellowship, is there an award ceremony or banquet?
If selected, you will be invited to visit Microsoft Research in Redmond in February 2010 for an awards ceremony. Microsoft will cover your travel expenses and assist in obtaining a visa if needed. You will also receive a plaque to commemorate your selection as a Microsoft Research PhD Fellow.
Are there any tax implications for me if I receive this fellowship?
The tax implications for your stipend, fees, and tuition are based on the policy at your university.
Will intellectual property be an issue if I am awarded a fellowship?
The Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship program is not subject to any intellectual property (IP) restrictions unless and until the Fellowship recipient accepts the associated internship. If you accept an internship, you will be subject to the same restrictions as any other Microsoft intern.
Can I simultaneously receive fellowships from other companies?
If you accept a Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship, you may not receive another fellowship from another company or institution for the same academic period. Fellows accepting multiple fellowships will become ineligible to receive continued funding from Microsoft.
Can I simultaneously receive a Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship and a Microsoft Research Graduate Women's Scholarship?
No. If you receive a Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship, you may not receive a Microsoft Research Graduate Women's Scholarship.
More FAQs
More Fellowship Links
Contact Us
- Please direct any additional questions to the Microsoft Research and PhD Fellowship contact at your school.
- Or contact Microsoft directly at:
msfellow@microsoft.com
Microsoft Research
One Microsoft Way, 99/4118
Redmond, WA 98052
