The Microsoft Research Faculty Fellowship program recognizes innovative, promising new faculty members, from a number of research institutions, whose exceptional talent for research and innovation identifies them as emerging leaders in their fields. Learn how to apply for a fellowship.

Eligibility Requirements

• Candidates for the Microsoft Research Faculty Fellowship program must be nominated by their research institution, and their nominations must be confirmed by a letter from the head of the institution (for example, office of the Provost, Pro-Vice Chancellor, President, Rector, Vice-Rector, and so on). Direct applications from new faculty members are not accepted.
• No more than one nomination from each research institution will be accepted. An emphasis is placed on nominations from departments working on computing research areas and on areas that involve the innovative application of computing.
• Applications may only be submitted through the online application tool (which will become active on September 19) by the application contact who is designated by the office of the head of the institution. Note: The nomination period closes on October 22, 2012—no applications will be accepted after this date.
• In general, in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East, or Africa, nominees must hold a tenure-track faculty position, and should have completed their most recent PhD or ScD in 2006 or later. In Latin America, nominees must hold a permanent faculty position and must have obtained their PhD degree in 2006 or later. Justified extensions, such as maternity leave, may be accepted.
• Nominees from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East, or Africa must be new faculty members in the first, second, or third year of their first tenure-track faculty appointment. Due to differences in academic career paths in Latin America, it is required that nominees from Latin America be faculty members in a permanent faculty position. 
• Three (3) letters of recommendation are required from established researchers who are familiar with the nominee’s research. Of these letters, one (1) letter of recommendation should come from within the nominating institution, and the other two (2) letters should come from outside of the nominating institution. Letters may be submitted electronically with the online application tool.

Application Instructions

We will need:

1. Nomination letter from the Department Chair

2. A 1-2 page(s) CV of nominee.

3. A brief description of his/her current research program and future plans (2 pages)

4. Names for potential outside letters of recommendation (do not need to contact them yet)

5. If more than one nomination is submitted from a single College/School, the Dean’s Office of the School/College should provide their independent 'rank ordering' of the nominees.

Nominations should be sent via email research@uw.edu by September 27, 2012. Nominations will be reviewed by the Proposal Review Committee and the selected nominee will be notified immediately. The selected nomination to Microsoft will be due no later than October 22, 2011 by 12:00 noon (PDT). Previous interaction with Microsoft will be weighed favorably.