Microsoft Research Asia launches 2026 StarTrack Scholars Program to advance global AI research
Microsoft Research Asia (MSRA) has opened applications for its 2026 StarTrack Scholars Program, offering young faculty members from around the world the opportunity to conduct three-month research residencies at its regional labs.
The program is designed to strengthen collaboration between MSRA and global universities on projects spanning artificial intelligence, computing infrastructure, and emerging areas of interdisciplinary science.
MSRA, part of Microsoft Research, operates hubs in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, and Vancouver. Its teams work across applied AI, machine learning, cloud systems, and other areas of computing research that aim to bridge academic inquiry and real-world implementation.
Research collaboration across six focus areas
Selected scholars will work on-site alongside Microsoft researchers, gaining access to MSRA’s computing resources, datasets, and international research network. Each participant will initiate a new project during their residency and receive logistical support for travel, accommodation, and collaboration planning.
For 2026, MSRA has identified six priority research themes:
AI-transformed medical research, developing multimodal foundation models for diagnostics, data synthesis, and clinical deployment.
Agentic AI, advancing intelligent systems capable of sustained human–agent communication and reasoning.
Brain and artificial intelligence, integrating neuroscience insights to build more efficient and interpretable AI models.
AI-era systems and networking, addressing how AI transforms computing architectures, infrastructure, and security.
Societal AI, combining technical and social science to explore the impact of large-scale AI models on people and policy.
Spatial intelligence, developing embodied and 3D vision models to enhance robotics and autonomous systems.
In addition to these themes, applicants can propose work in other areas such as natural language computing, trustworthy systems, machine learning, or multimodal computing.
Registration for applications closes November 30 and final submissions due December 15. Results will be announced in March 2026, and visits will run through January 2027.
Applicants must hold a PhD awarded within the past seven years and be current university or institutional faculty members. Participation requires a full-time, three-month on-site visit, though a limited remote component may be approved in exceptional cases.
Scholars will deliver a presentation and written report at the end of their residency and join the StarTrack Scholars Alumni Association after completion. All intellectual property developed during the program will be owned by Microsoft, with scholars expected to initiate new research during their visit rather than bring pre-existing institutional projects.
According to Microsoft Research Asia, the initiative “fosters close academic exchange and collaboration between Microsoft Research Asia and young scholars from esteemed international universities and academic research institutions.”
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The EdTech Innovation Hub Awards celebrate excellence in global education technology, with a particular focus on workforce development, AI integration, and innovative learning solutions across all stages of education.
Now open for entries, the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 recognize the companies, platforms, and individuals driving transformation in the sector, from AI-driven assessment tools and personalized learning systems, to upskilling solutions and digital platforms that connect learners with real-world outcomes.
Submissions are open to organizations across the UK, the Americas, and internationally. Entries should highlight measurable impact, whether in K–12 classrooms, higher education institutions, or lifelong learning settings.
