Backgrounds:

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 476 PhD candidates from 45 universities in the Asia-Pacific region. From its inception to 2007, 227 outstanding PhD students have been awarded the Microsoft Research Asia Fellowship honors or scholarship.

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.

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 3 to 6 months (optional). If students wish to take the internship opportunity, MSR Asia will discuss specific arrangements with them.

* To simplify the overseas fellowship payment process, cash awards will be distributed in one time to fellows from non-Chinese universities.

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:
  • User Interface(including Multimodal User Interface, Natural Language, Speech Technology)
  • Internet Media and Media Communication
  • Internet Graphics and Visual Computing
  • Networking and Systems (including System, Wireless and Networking, Platforms and Devices Center)
  • Search and Mining
  • Theory, algorithm and complexity, theory of distributed computing, formal methods
• 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 MSR Asia;
• Candidates must be seen by their supervisor to have outstanding potential as a researcher;
• Previous Microsoft Research Asia Fellows are excluded.

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 PowerPoint presentation with audio introduction (on compact disk): maximum of 20 minutes to include statement of purpose, previous, on-going and future projects, research interests and accomplishments, etc.

Application submission

• E-mail completed application form and CV to  fellowRA@microsoft.com
• Post application package including:
  - two signed recommendation letters
  - CD of video or audio-PowerPoint
  - hard copy of the application form, and
  - CV
  - Academic scores
  - Research papers (if candidate have published the papers, please submit)
  To:
     Microsoft Research Asia Fellow 2008 Committee
     Xin Ma
     Microsoft Research Asia
     3F, Beijing Sigma Center
     No. 49 Zhichun Road, Haidian District
     Beijing P.R. China 100190
  Please ensure your submission arrives before the deadline: May 20, 2008

Selection process and criteria

All applications from invited institutions and received by MSR 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:

• Research Potential - creativity,  research potential and achievements,  problem solving abilities
• Academic Record - academic scores, research experience, and basic technical skills
• Description of passion, motivation, teamwork and communication
• Phone or on-site interview  with MSR Asia researchers will be arranged, if further details are needed (optional)

Schedule and deadlines

Commitments:

Microsoft Research Asia Fellows are required to submit a progress report to fellowRA@microsoft.com (2009.6) to update after receiving a fellowship. The progress report including:

• Brief description of research projects
• Publications authored
• Conferences attended
• MSRA Internship interest

Additional information

For questions 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 website: http://research.microsoft.com/ur/asia/

Download the Printable Version
Download the Application Form

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