The External Research Office (ERO) of Microsoft Research Cambridge, England was formed in July 2004. Its primary objective is extending the scope of Microsoft Research into key new areas outside ‘core’ computer science. This is being achieved through new types of strategic public-private collaborative research partnerships with universities, governments and industry partners.

EuroScience Initiative

The ERO is driving The EuroScience Initiative. The EuroScience Initiative is a new strategic research initiative in Microsoft, focused on creating, leading and accelerating fundamental innovation in ‘new kinds’ of science and computing, primarily through collaborations with the European science community in ERO partnerships. EuroScience additionally aims to encourage increased innovation, productivity and growth in the spirit of Europe’s ‘Lisbon’ social, economic and scientific goals underpinning Europe’s knowledge-based economy. It also encompasses a range of programmes to contribute to Europe’s intellectual capital, including a PhD scholarships programme, a post-doctoral fellowships programme and a series of scientific workshops.

The programmes of the EuroScience Initiative are detailed below.

New computing paradigms

This research programme explores new ways to take computing beyond its current forms by addressing fundamental problems in computer science by exploring and applying lessons drawn from nature, chemistry and biology.

Computational science

The aim of this programme is to create, in collaboration with the scientific community, a new generation of computational tools for accelerating advances in science through enhancing the day-to-day productivity of scientists.

Intelligent environments

Research into new applications for the emerging world of ‘ambient intelligence’ where sensors, wireless networks and interactive, embedded computing are invisibly and seamlessly woven into people’s everyday life and the social environments in which they live.

Career development

To support the vital role of scientific research and innovation in building Europe’s knowledge-based economy the EuroScience Initiative includes a career development programme:

• European PhD scholarship programme – Up to 30 awards will be made annually to some of Europe’s brightest scholars to undertake research at the intersection of computing and the sciences in European institutions.
• Fellowship programme for early-career scientists – Through this fellowship, up to ten promising post-doctoral scientists who are establishing a track record of world-leading research in emerging science and technology will receive support and funding. More details will be provided in spring 2005.
• European scientist of the year award – EuroScience will sponsor this award to recognise the achievements of an individual who has made a fundamentally important contribution to science and society in Europe.
• Scientific workshops – An annual workshop series established to bring together students, researchers, government and industry to discuss key scientific and societal issues and topics arising from the EuroScience initiative’s research agenda.

Contact

For enquiries, please email msrero@microsoft.com.