Microsoft AI Economy Institute calls for global research on AI’s impact on jobs and education
The Microsoft-backed AI Economy Institute has launched its second global research call, seeking studies on how generative AI is reshaping entry-level jobs, teaching, and workforce development.
The Microsoft AI Economy Institute (AIEI) has opened its second global call for research proposals. Submissions are due September 29, 2025, with selected projects to begin in November. Each principal investigator will receive a $75,000 grant and a travel allowance to attend an in-person workshop in April 2026.
Established by Microsoft, AIEI funds independent studies on how generative AI is affecting productivity, labor markets, and education systems. The institute’s stated mission is to support responsible and inclusive adoption of AI by accelerating research on its economic and social effects.
Jobs, teaching, and national strategies under review
The call identifies four main areas of interest. The first is the impact of AI on entry-level jobs, examining how tasks and career paths are changing and what this means for training and credentialing.
The second is AI and K–12 teaching, including potential shifts in lesson planning, grading, and teacher workload, alongside ethics in the classroom.
The third area addresses community, technical, and vocational colleges, where AIEI is seeking insights into how two-year institutions can accelerate AI fluency in the workforce.
The fourth explores national differences in AI adoption, focusing on why some countries move faster than others and how regulation and workforce readiness shape outcomes.
Researchers required to deliver on set timeline
Awardees will be expected to take part in biweekly virtual convenings from November 2025 to March 2026. In addition, they will present at a workshop hosted at a Microsoft location in April 2026 and submit a book chapter for an edited volume by May 2026.
Each team must also contribute to a policy convening in June and submit a peer-reviewed, open-access journal article by June 30, 2026. Researchers will be named senior fellows of the institute and may be invited to present at industry events and conferences.
Eligibility and funding
The program is open to researchers at accredited universities and research institutions worldwide. Proposals must designate a principal investigator but may include interdisciplinary teams.
Alongside the $75,000 grant, travel allowances are set at $7,500 for North America-based awardees and $20,000 for participants elsewhere. Proposals will be evaluated for alignment with AIEI’s mission, originality, methodological rigor, and commitment to equity and real-world application.
