歡迎博士生申請~

MSRA 2018 Fellowship has just launched! The process is the same as in last year – the program accepts direct applications from individual PhD students with their advisors’ strong recommendation. This means no “quota” per each university. Although nomination by the dept/school is not required, identifying and encouraging your best students to apply truly helps get your university and students into this highly competitive program. Visit the program homepage to learn more and I also included some info in this email.

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.
• The guarantee of an optional three-month internship at Microsoft Research Asia.
• The opportunity for intensive and individualized mentorship by a dedicated senior researcher, to help facilitate the fellow’s research until graduation.
• The opportunity to attend the Microsoft Research Asia Faculty Summit—one of the most prestigious academic conferences in computer science in the Asia-Pacific region.
• At the discretion of Microsoft Research Asia, fellows and their advisors may 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 do research work that relates to computing topics in which Microsoft Research has expertise.
• According to the definition of the normative period of PhD programs of the applicant’s university and region, the applicant must still be in an eligible PhD program until the spring semester of 2020. The applicants and their advisors will be asked for supporting documents, if needed.
• Multiple applicants from one supervisor will not be considered for acceptance.
• The Microsoft Research Asia Fellowship Committee has final determination of the interpretation of the above clauses.

2018 Award schedule

• June 29, 2018 – Application deadline
• Early September – Onsite interview (only for those candidates who pass through the first round of reviews)
• Early October – 2018 Fellows announced

How to apply

The 2018 Microsoft Research Asia Fellowship application period closes on Friday, June 29, 2018, at 11:59 PM Beijing Time.

• PhD students must apply directly for the scholarship.
• Applications must include:
  • An application form (download template here)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Research Statement. This statement (of approximately 1,000 words) provides a summary of your research accomplishments and current work. It must discuss the future direction and potential of your work, especially your research plan for the next few years of PhD study.
  • At least two letters of reference from established researchers familiar with your research. Of these, one letter should come from your advisor. Scanned copies of the signed recommendation letters should be sent directly to fellowra@microsoft.com.
• Applications must be submitted via the online application tool in any of the following formats: Word document, text-only file, PDF or ZIP. Email or hard copy applications will not be considered.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or program committee via email (fellowra@microsoft.com) .