Hey future innovators and research enthusiasts! Ever dreamt of collaborating with global tech giants on groundbreaking research? Well, get ready because the Microsoft Research Fellowship Bursary for 2026 is here, and it’s an incredible opportunity to dive deep into scientific exploration alongside one of the world’s leading tech companies!
This isn’t just any bursary; the Microsoft Research Fellowship creates unique opportunities for academic scholars – that includes faculty members, PhD students, and postdocs – to team up with Microsoft Research. The goal? To tackle open research challenges, push the boundaries of scientific understanding, spark innovation, and ultimately deliver benefits to society.
It’s all about bringing together brilliant minds from academia and industrial research to shape the future. If you’re passionate about advancing science through collaboration, this fellowship could be your ticket to making a significant impact!
Who Can Apply?
Microsoft is looking for academic scholars who are actively involved in research and teaching across various disciplines. The fellowship is open to individuals based in several regions, including Africa, Australia & New Zealand, Canada, Europe, India, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States.
For PhD Students:
- You must be actively pursuing a PhD at an accredited institution.
- You need to be enrolled at a degree-granting university in one of the eligible regions mentioned above (yes, Africa is included!).
For Faculty Members:
- You should have already received your terminal degree (like a PhD or DSc).
- Your proposal must also identify a student to be involved in the collaboration. If your application is successful, both you and the student will be named Fellows!
- Both the faculty member and the student listed in the proposal must be employed or enrolled at a degree-granting university located in one of the eligible regions.
For Postdocs:
- Your proposal needs to include a statement of support from a faculty advisor or department chair, confirming their backing for your participation in this collaboration with Microsoft.
- You must be employed or enrolled at a degree-granting university located in one of the eligible regions.
What Does It Cover?
The Microsoft Research Fellowship is designed to foster meaningful collaboration. The opportunities for this collaboration will vary, including working sessions, regular check-ins, workshops, and other formats tailored to the research.
And let’s talk about the money! The funding amounts vary depending on the region where your organization or institution is located. Here’s what you can expect:
- For Africa: $17,000 USD
- Australia & New Zealand: $17,000 USD
- Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Puerto Rico: $17,000 USD
- Canada: $47,000 USD
- Europe: $27,000 USD
- India: $17,000 USD
- Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan: $17,000 USD
- United States: $47,000 USD
Good news: these stipend amounts also include travel funding! This means you could use the money to visit Microsoft Research principal investigators and collaborators at a Microsoft Research lab or office for in-person collaboration. All payments are scheduled to be distributed around March/April 2026.
How to Apply?
Ready to jump in? Here are the key dates:
- Proposal submission deadline: Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET
- Proposal notifications sent by: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
To get started and submit your application, make sure to visit the official Microsoft Research website. Don’t miss out on this incredible chance to collaborate and innovate!
Visit the Official Webpage of the Microsoft Research Fellowship and Apply Here!
This is your chance to make a real impact and work with some of the brightest minds in tech. If you’re ready to push the boundaries of research, don’t miss out on the Microsoft Research Fellowship Bursary 2026! Apply before the deadline, and remember to check Bursaries Room for more amazing opportunities!
