Applications are now open for the Microsoft AI Economy Institute Cohort 4, a global research call supporting independent, policy-relevant work on how artificial intelligence is reshaping productivity, labour markets, education and economic opportunity. The Microsoft AI Economy Institute Cohort 4 invites senior fellows to study the organisational choices that shape where AI complements, substitutes or creates new forms of human work.
Complete guide to the Microsoft AI Economy Institute Cohort 4, covering the research focus, fellowship experience, eligibility, award and support, application components and important links.
Quick Highlights
Parameter
Details
Organization
Microsoft AI Economy Institute (AIEI)
Position
AIEI Senior Fellow (Cohort 4)
Job Type
Research fellowship / grant
Location
Global (affiliated universities or research institutions worldwide); in-person workshop included
Eligibility
Researchers affiliated with accredited universities or research institutions; PIs and co-PIs must hold a PhD or equivalent terminal degree (e.g., MD, JD, DrPH)
Experience Required
Current research support and citation metrics required (H-index, total citations, I-index)
Sector
AI economy research (AI and jobs, productivity, labour markets, education)
Preferred Applicants
Interdisciplinary teams; up to two Principal Investigators per proposal
Launched in 2025, the AI Economy Institute supports rigorous scholarship that informs policymakers, educators, employers and workers as societies adapt to the rapid diffusion of generative AI, with emphasis on research immediately translatable to policy, decision-making and investment.
Area
Details
Established
2025
Focus
Independent, policy-relevant research on AI's impact on productivity, labour markets, education systems and economic opportunity
Scholarship Approach
Rigorous, immediately translatable to policy, decision-making and investment
Beneficiaries
Policymakers, educators, employers and workers
Current Call
Cohort 4, fourth global research call
Cohort 4 Research Focus
Area
Details
Theme
AI and Jobs: designing for augmented work
Core Question
Understanding the organizational choices that shape where AI complements human work, where it substitutes for human work, and where it creates entirely new forms of economic activity
Key Drivers
Workflow design, team structure, governance, incentives, accountability and expertise development
Guiding Principle
Outcomes are not fixed properties of a model but emerge from organisational choices
Participate in virtual workshops with fellow researchers and subject-matter experts
In-person workshop
Engage in a multi-day, in-person workshop with Microsoft subject matter experts and AIEI leadership
Book chapter
Contribute a chapter to an edited trade book on the AI economy
Journal manuscript
Submit a research manuscript to a high-quality, open-access academic journal
Minimum Qualifications and Experience
Requirement
Details
Affiliation
Must be affiliated with an accredited university or research institution worldwide
Degree
Principal Investigators and co-PIs must hold a PhD or equivalent terminal degree (e.g., MD, JD, DrPH) at the time of application
Team Size
Each proposal may include up to two Principal Investigators (PIs); all PIs must meet the eligibility requirements
Interdisciplinary Teams
Encouraged
Additional Skills That Strengthen an Application
Skill
Details
Contributions to science
Up to three contributions to be listed in the biosketch
Research support
Current research support to be disclosed
Citation metrics
H-index, total number of citations and I-index to be reported
Policy relevance
Project overview must show policy relevance and applicability
Target journals
Up to three target journals to be named
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged
Who Should Apply
Background
Details
Researchers affiliated with accredited universities or research institutions worldwide
Yes
PhD or equivalent terminal degree holders (e.g., MD, JD, DrPH)
Yes
Principal Investigators and co-PIs
Yes
Interdisciplinary teams
Priority consideration
Proposals with up to two Principal Investigators
Yes
Salary and Employment Benefits
Detail
Information
Research gift
A single research gift of $75,000 per selected proposal
Travel allowance (US, Canada or Mexico)
$7,500 for awardees based in these countries
Travel allowance (all other awardees)
$20,000
Travel purpose
Support attendance at the in-person workshop
Award count
Only one award will be issued per proposal
Application Components
Component
Details
Applicant Biosketch – font
11-point font
Applicant Biosketch – personal statement
≤300 words
Applicant Biosketch – professional summary
One page
Applicant Biosketch – contributions to science
Up to three
Applicant Biosketch – research support and metrics
Current research support and citation metrics (H-index, total number of citations, I-index)
Project Overview – content
Research question, methods and contribution
Project Overview – policy
Policy relevance and applicability
Project Overview – journals
Up to three target journals
How to Apply
Step
Action
1
Review the Cohort 4 research focus and eligibility criteria on the official webpage
2
Prepare the Applicant Biosketch in 11-point font with personal statement (≤300 words), one-page professional summary, up to three contributions to science, and current research support and citation metrics
3
Prepare the Project Overview covering the research question, methods and contribution, policy relevance and applicability, and up to three target journals
4
Submit the application through the official Microsoft AIEI Open Call 4 webpage
5
Ensure all PIs in the proposal meet the eligibility requirements
Q1. What is the Microsoft AI Economy Institute Cohort 4?
It is the fourth global research call of Microsoft's AI Economy Institute (AIEI), inviting proposals focused on AI and jobs: designing for augmented work.
Q2. Who is eligible to apply?
Researchers affiliated with accredited universities or research institutions worldwide whose PIs and co-PIs hold a PhD or equivalent terminal degree (e.g., MD, JD, DrPH) at the time of application.
Q3. How many Principal Investigators can a proposal include?
Each proposal may include up to two Principal Investigators, though only one award will be issued.
Q4. What is the award amount?
Each selected proposal receives a single research gift of $75,000.
Q5. Is a travel allowance provided?
Yes, one travel allowance per selected proposal: $7,500 for awardees based in the United States, Canada or Mexico, and $20,000 for all other awardees.
Q6. What is the research focus of Cohort 4?
AI and Jobs: designing for augmented work, examining the organisational choices that shape where AI complements, substitutes for or creates new forms of human work.
Q7. What does the Senior Fellows Program involve?
Bi-weekly virtual workshops, a multi-day in-person workshop with Microsoft subject matter experts and AIEI leadership, a chapter in an edited trade book, and a manuscript submission to an open-access academic journal.
Q8. What are the application components?
An Applicant Biosketch (11-point font) and a Project Overview covering the research question, methods, contribution, policy relevance and up to three target journals.
Q9. What is the application deadline?
November 30, 2026.
Q10. How do I apply?
Submit your application through the official Microsoft AIEI Open Call 4 webpage.
Final Call-to-Action
Step
Action
1
Confirm you meet the PhD or equivalent terminal degree eligibility requirement
2
Prepare your Applicant Biosketch and Project Overview
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