PhD Scholarship

Microsoft Research has established the Microsoft Research PhD Scholarship for students earning doctorates in various areas of computing and in fields that combine computing with science. Research proposals only in specific areas will be acknowledged by Microsoft. Examples of considered topics are computational biology, constraint reasoning, and systems and networking.

Supervisors who make the proposals for a research subject are the ones that are initially selected by Microsoft Research before any scholars are chosen for the Microsoft Research PhD Scholarship. Microsoft Research will only accept one application from each laboratory or department in a single institution, and only applicants from a select list of countries will be recognized. The application must include the research proposal and supporting information, such as the hypothesis for the topic, expected results, verification of a suitable research location, and proof that the applicant is capable of supervising such research. Once the topic for research, and the location and method of conducting the research are deemed adequate by Microsoft, the supervisor has one year to choose a scholar for the project.

The recipient of the Microsoft Research PhD Scholarship can be from any country and must have only one year of PhD work achieved. Two reference letters, in English, are required from professors who can attest to the research abilities of the prospective scholar, in addition to a curriculum vitae. The scholar will receive an award of 33,000 euros that will be paid directly to the university and a laptop computer. Renewal of the PhD Scholarship is certain each year for up to three years as long as the scholar sustains the university's eligibility requirements. Summer classes in Cambridge will also be offered as part of the PhD scholarship, as well as events where scholars will have the chance to introduce their work to researchers from Microsoft.