Recognizing and awarding outstanding junior PhD students in the Asia-Pacific region
The Microsoft Research Asia Fellowship Program aims to recognize outstanding junior PhD students in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as facilitate and empower the future growth of junior PhD students majoring in Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Information Science, or Applied Mathematics, who have the potential to become future research leaders.
The program began in 1999, and since then it attracted around 500 PhD candidates from 48 universities in the Asia-Pacific region. From its inception to 2008, more than two hundred and fifty outstanding PhD students have been awarded the Microsoft Research Asia Fellowship honors or scholarship.
On This Page
Mission
Schedule and Deadlines
Application Process
Awards, Eligibility, and Commitments
Frequently Asked Questions
Mission
- To recognize and award outstanding junior PhD students in the Asia-Pacific region
- To empower and encourage junior PhD students to realize their potential to become future research leaders
Schedule and Deadlines
- Annual program announcement: April 15, 2009
- Deadline of application submission: June 15, 2009 5:00 P.M. Beijing Time
- MSRA review and interview: July–August 2009
- Notification of awards: September 2009
- Submit mid-term report: July 2010
Application Process
Application Materials
- Application form: To be completed by nominated candidate.
- Two recommendation letters (from PhD supervisor and department head) are required; each must address specific evaluation criteria.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): include a detailed list of publications and other academic achievements.
- Either a video or a Microsoft Office PowerPoint presentation with audio introduction (on CD): maximum of 20 minutes to include statement of purpose; previous, on-going, and future projects; research interests and accomplishments; and other relevant information
- Download Application Form
Application Submission
- E-mail your completed application form and CV to fellowRA@microsoft.com
- Send your complete application by post. Your application should include the following:
- Two signed recommendation letters
- CD of video or audio PowerPoint
- Hard copy of the application form
- CV
- Academic scores
- Research papers (if candidate have published the papers, please submit) - Mail your application to:
Microsoft Research Asia Fellow 2009 Committee
Xin Ma
Microsoft Research Asia
5F, Beijing Sigma Center
No. 49 Zhichun Road, Haidian District
Beijing P.R. China 100190 - Please ensure that your submission arrives before the deadline: June 15, 2009.
Selection Process and Criteria
All applications from invited institutions and received by Microsoft Research Asia will be reviewed by Microsoft Research Asia Fellowship Committee composed of senior lab researchers and managers. Decisions will be based upon the following criteria:
- A clear research focus
- A strong academic record, including research publication, previous research experience, transcripts, honors, and awards
- Strong leadership qualities, such as passion, commitment, creativity, cooperative abilities, and communicative skill
Awards, Eligibility, and Commitments
Award Provisions
Cash awards of US$6,000 distributed in two successive academic years,* which can be used to support research initiatives and academic endeavors.
- Presentation of Fellowship plaques by Microsoft executives.
- Opportunities for internships at Microsoft Research Asia (Beijing) for three to six months (optional). If students wish to take the internship opportunity, Microsoft ResearchAsia will discuss specific arrangements with them.
- A Fellowship plaque, to be presented at a formal ceremony.
* To simplify the overseas fellowship payment process, Fellows from universities outside China will receive cash awards in a one-time distribution.
Eligibility
Conditions of eligibility listed below must apply. Applications not meeting these criteria will not be considered.
- The candidate has already enrolled as a PhD student by the time of the nomination. Candidate should have already spent time towards a PhD with duration of minimum 6 to maximum of 18 months
- The candidate has no more than two years of research experience before commencing the PhD degree
- The candidate must specialize in one of the following fields: Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Information Science, or Applied Mathematics
Areas of Interest:
- Natural User Interfaces enable users to interact with a computer using speech, gestures, and expressions.
- Next-generation Multimedia allows people to search for and to become immersed in interactive online shopping, education, meeting, and entertainment activities.
- Data-Intensive Computing explores the new infrastructures, algorithms, tools, and applications to collect, analyze, and mine results for data-intensive business in both the consumer and enterprise sectors.
- Search and Online Ads take Web search and online advertising to the next level by applying data-mining, machine-learning, and knowledge-discovery techniques to information analysis, organization, retrieval, and visualization.
- Fundamental Computer Science includes areas such as theoretical computer science (theory), systems, networking, and machine learning that will have an impact on multiple applications and products.
- The candidate must be nominated by invited institutions across the Asia-Pacific region with recommendation from PhD supervisor and department head. Direct applications will not be accepted from individuals or universities without invitation by Microsoft Research Asia
- Candidates must be regarded by their supervisor as having outstanding potential as a researcher
- Previous Microsoft Research Asia Fellows are excluded
Commitments
- Microsoft Research Asia Fellows are required to submit a progress report to fellowRA@microsoft.com to update after receiving a fellowship. A notification letter about submitting the progress report will be sent to the 2009 Microsoft Research Asia Fellows in July 2010.
- The progress report includes the following:
- Brief description of research projects
- Publications authored
- Conferences attended
- Microsoft Research Asia Internship interest
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of the Microsoft Research Asia Fellowship?
The Microsoft Research Asia Fellowship encourages and motivates junior PhD students to pursue their research interest. It also helps them to better organize their long-term plans for their career. The internship that comes with the fellowship is a fantastic opportunity for young researchers to gain hands-on research experience in China. Moreover, the generous financial support provided by the fellowship offers many opportunities for PhD students to attend international conferences, and makes their study and life easier and more trouble-free.
If my major is not in computer science, may I apply?
Yes, you may apply if you specialize in any one of the following fields: Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Information Science, or Applied Mathematics. Our program is open to research areas outside core computer science, but we expect to see a strong computing component in the proposed research.
Areas of Interest:
- Natural User Interfaces enable users to interact with a computer using speech, gestures, and expressions.
- Next-generation Multimedia allows people to search for and to become immersed in interactive online shopping, education, meeting, and entertainment activities.
- Data-Intensive Computing explores the new infrastructures, algorithms, tools, and applications to collect, analyze, and mine results for data-intensive business in both the consumer and enterprise sectors.
- Search and Online Ads take Web search and online advertising to the next level by applying data-mining, machine-learning, and knowledge-discovery techniques to information analysis, organization, retrieval, and visualization.
- Fundamental Computer Science includes areas such as theoretical computer science (theory), systems, networking, and machine learning that will have an impact on multiple applications and products.
Which university departments are eligible to participate?
Program participation is by invitation. Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Information Science, or Automation department at the invited universities are eligible.
Are third-year students eligible to apply?
No. Candidates must be in the first or second year of their PhD program. Students in the second year of a formal three-year PhD program do not qualify.
Do I have to be nominated by my university or may I apply on my own?
To be considered for the program, you must be nominated by an eligible university or a Microsoft researcher.
How do I submit my application?
You should apply through the department at your school. Your school contact can email all the necessary information to the fellowship mailbox and mail all hardcopy materials to Microsoft Research Asia Fellowship Review Committee.
If selected, am I required to complete an internship at Microsoft Research?
Internships are encouraged, but not required as part of the award. You may complete a three-month or six-month internship at any time after the fellowship award in September 2007. For more information on internships at Microsoft Research Asia, please visit the Microsoft Research Internship Web site.
Fellowship and Internship Programs
Collaboration Programs in Asia-Pacific
Additional Information
- For more information about the Microsoft Research Asia Fellowship Program, see the Frequently Asked Questions.
- For access to the application form, the list of institutions invited, and other program information, visit the Microsoft Fellowship Program Web site
- Any questions concerning this program can be addressed to fellowRA@microsoft.com
