Microsoft Research Asia Fellowship 2011

Background

The Microsoft Research Asia (MSRA) 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 has attracted around 753 PhD candidates from 48 universities in the Asia-Pacific region. From its inception to 2010, 312 outstanding PhD students have been awarded 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 at one time, which can be used to support  research initiatives and academic endeavors including, but not limited to, the following aspects:

o        Attend international research conference/events

o        Paper publication fee

o        Patent application fee

o        Attend Fellowship Reunion Meeting organized by MSRA one year after receiving a fellowship

•          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.

•          A Fellowship plaque, to be presented at a formal ceremony.

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 program with duration minimum 6 to a 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:

·     Internet Graphics

·     Visual Computing

·     Internet Media

·     Wireless and networking

·     Mobile and Sensing Systems

·     System 

·     Natural language computing

·     Speech

·     Software Analytics

·     Human-computer interaction

·     Theory

·     Machine learning

·     Web Search and Mining

·     Media Computing

·     Hardware Computing 

•          The candidate must be nominated by invited institutions across the Asia-Pacific region with a recommendation from a 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 has published papers, please submit)

         To:

Microsoft Research Asia Fellow 2011 Committee

Jing Zou

Microsoft Research Asia

14F, Bldg # 2, No. 5, Dan Ling Street, Haidian District, Beijing, PRC, 100080

•          Please ensure your submission arrives before the deadline: June 15, 2011

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:

•          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.

•          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    (2012.7) to update after receiving a fellowship.

The progress report includes:

• 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/en-us/collaboration/global/asia-pacific/talent/fellowship.aspx

Any questions concerning this program can be addressed to fellowRA@microsoft.com. 

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