Microsoft AIEI Fellowship 2027 is a research fellowship supporting independent proposals on how AI changes productivity, labor markets, economies, and education, focused on Designing for Augmented Work in its fourth cohort. The call funds selected proposals and invites researchers to investigate organizational factors, workplace design, incentives, accountability, and skill development related to AI and work.
The program is run by Microsoft’s AI Economy Institute (AIEI), which funds independent research to produce data useful to companies, schools, workers, and policymakers, and hosts a cohort-based AIEI Senior Fellows Program that includes virtual workshops and in-person activities with Microsoft experts.
Microsoft AIEI Fellowship Benefits
- Single USD 75,000 research grant for each successful proposal
- One travel reimbursement to attend the in-person research session
- USD 7,500 travel reimbursement for recipients from the US, Canada, or Mexico
- USD 20,000 travel reimbursement for recipients from every other nation
- Participation in virtual workshops every two weeks with subject-matter experts
- Participation in a multi-day in-person training with AIEI leadership and Microsoft professionals
- Opportunities to collaborate on multidisciplinary research projects
- Acknowledgment as Senior Fellows of the Microsoft AI Economy Institute
- Possibility to write a chapter for an edited AI economy book
- Assistance in writing research articles for open-access scholarly publications
- Possible invitations to present research results at policy and business forums
- Opportunity to link scholarly research with practical issues affecting companies, governments, and employees
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Microsoft AIEI Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
- Researchers affiliated with recognized universities and research institutions worldwide are eligible
- Applicants must have a connection to a recognized university or research center
- Candidates must possess a PhD or a comparable terminal degree at the time of application
- An MD, JD, or DrPH are cited as examples of comparable professional doctoral credentials
- A maximum of two Principal Investigators (PIs) may be included in each proposal
- Each principal investigator and co-principal investigator must meet the academic eligibility standards
- Interdisciplinary research teams are encouraged
- Each chosen idea will receive only one award
How to Apply for Microsoft AIEI Fellowship
- Prepare an applicant biosketch following the specified format and requirements
- Prepare a project overview including research question, methods, contributions, policy relevance, and target journals
- Use up to three significant contributions to science and include academic citation metrics in the biosketch
- Submit the proposal through Microsoft’s official AI Economy Institute submission portal
- Go to Microsoft’s official AI Economy Institute website to view the open call and submission portal
Don’t miss this deadline
Applications close on Monday, 30 November 2026. We’ll email you 7, 3 and 1 days before.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are frequently asked questions about the Microsoft AIEI Fellowship Scholarship 2027. These answers cover the grant amount, eligibility, required documents, deadlines, and how to apply.
What is the grant amount for the fellowship?
Each successful proposal receives a single USD 75,000 research grant.
What is the application deadline?
The proposal deadline is November 30, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
Who is eligible to apply?
Researchers affiliated with recognized universities and research institutions worldwide, holding a PhD or comparable terminal degree at the time of application, are eligible.
How many principal investigators can a proposal include?
A proposal may include a maximum of two Principal Investigators (PIs).
What documents are required for the application?
Required documents include an applicant biosketch with a personal statement (max 300 words), a one-page professional summary, up to three significant contributions, current research support, and citation metrics, plus a project overview describing the research question, methods, contributions, policy relevance, and target journals.
Are travel costs covered?
Chosen researchers are eligible for one travel reimbursement: USD 7,500 for recipients from the US, Canada, or Mexico, and USD 20,000 for recipients from every other nation.
What program activities do selected researchers join?
Selected researchers join the AIEI Senior Fellows Program with biweekly virtual workshops, a multi-day in-person training, collaboration opportunities, and support for publication and dissemination.
What research themes does the call focus on?
Research themes include delegation and accountability, designing for augmentation and innovation, organization and workflows, building expertise, and designing for AI-mediated discovery, markets, and value creation.
Where do I submit my proposal?
Candidates should submit proposals via Microsoft’s official AI Economy Institute submission portal, accessible from the AIEI website.
How are proposals evaluated?
All proposals are evaluated against four equally weighted criteria: scientific strength (25%), feasibility (25%), pragmatic applicability (25%), and Principal Investigator productivity (25%).
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