Microsoft usually accepts only one scholarship application each from university departments and research labs. Applications are submitted by doctoral supervisors, who in turn select the student who best matches the criteria. These institutions must be in Africa, Europe or the Middle East. The scholarships are intended for exceptional students with the potential to greatly contribute to the field of science and computing. Payments are made to the universities. Scholarship recipients also receive laptops with software from Microsoft and an opportunity to do research at Microsoft's Cambridge, United Kingdom, summer school. Internships with Microsoft may also be available. Scholarship amounts vary according to the country where the award is given and the particulars of the research program.
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, in conjunction with the American Council of Learned Societies, encourages doctoral students in humanities or related social sciences to apply for this $25,000 fellowship. The award is given to assist doctoral candidates in completing their dissertations. Applicants must be prepared to complete their dissertations during the fellowship year. The foundation provides 65 per year. In addition to the $25,000, the foundation will provide $3,000 for research costs and $5,000 for university fees.
Applicants proposing research into geography or spatial science may be eligible for a Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant. The grant is awarded through the National Science Foundation/Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences. After outlining the proposed research projects, applicants may be awarded up to $12,000 to complete them within two years. The awards may be used for research in the lab, the field or with data collection. Grants are awarded twice a year.
The Kauffman Fellowship is targeted to doctoral students whose dissertations are in the area of entrepreneurship. The foundation awards up to 15 fellowship grants annually of $20,000 each. Funds go directly to the student, not the university. Applicants may be engaged in disciplines other than business, but the dissertation must deal with entrepreneurship.