Microsoft Research Internship 2027–2028: Deadlines & How to Apply

Last updated: November 2026

Microsoft Research has two US doors for summer 2027, and only one is open. PhD students can apply now: on November 10, 2026, Microsoft's job system listed 27 US "Research Intern" requisitions, created between September 25 and November 9, 2026, each paying a published $6,810 to $13,480 a month base ($8,920 to $14,610 in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City), per this Research Intern posting. Undergraduates have missed this round: the Undergraduate Research Internship took summer 2027 applications only until October 5, 2026. In plain words: PhD students apply during the 2026 to 2027 school year and intern in summer 2027; undergraduates next apply in fall 2027 for summer 2028.

Quick Facts

The row that matters most: the PhD roles are open and rolling now, while the undergraduate program is closed until its next window, expected in fall 2027.

Externships are short, remote programs where you finish a real project for a real company, most often in 8 weeks. The Wayfair n8n AI Agent Engineering Externship builds the agent-workflow skills that many Research Intern postings ask about, and the SQL & Database Architecture Externship with Breaking Games builds data-systems basics. Explore all Externships.

What Is a Microsoft Research Internship?

A Microsoft Research internship is a paid 12-week research placement at Microsoft Research (MSR), Microsoft's research organization, where interns work with a mentor on a research project and present their findings. It's separate from Microsoft's general university internships, which our Microsoft internship guide covers. MSR runs two US routes: Research Intern roles for PhD students, posted one research group at a time, and a small Undergraduate Research Internship for rising juniors and seniors at the Redmond, New York City and New England labs. MSR's careers page says "All internships are paid" and that it helps with visa applications where needed. It also points to an open publications policy. MSR doesn't publish how many interns it takes. This guide covers US roles only.

When Do Microsoft Research Internship Applications Open for 2027–2028?

The two routes run on different calendars. PhD roles are posted group by group: the 27 live US roles were created between September 25 and November 9, 2026 (requisition creation dates from Microsoft's job system, a lower bound on posting dates), and every posting says Microsoft takes applications and makes offers from September to April. That's about 6 to 8 months before a summer start. The undergraduate program has one window: summer 2026 applications closed October 6, 2025, and summer 2027 applications closed October 5, 2026. We expect the summer 2028 window from early September to early October 2027, about 7 months before a May start. Two matching cycles make that a fair projection, but it isn't confirmed.

How to read this page: our dates come from tracking previous recruiting cycles and daily posting data. Treat them as informed estimates based on historical patterns, not confirmed dates. The company's official careers page is always the most current source. If a role is posted there, go by that, even if this page suggests the window hasn't opened yet.

Why You Must Apply the Week Applications Open

Two modes apply. PhD roles are rolling: Microsoft says it processes applications and offers on an ongoing basis, and each role stays open "until the position is filled," so a group can stop hiring well before April. Two Algorithms Group roles name January 1, 2027 for the fullest consideration. Most roles also need two reference letters, which Microsoft requests after you apply, so tell your letter writers before you submit. The undergraduate program is a hard deadline: October 5, 2026 for summer 2027, with one window a year. Its essays and letters take weeks, so start them in August 2027.

Which Microsoft Research Internship Programs Should You Target?

MSR's US internships fall into two programs, plus PhD internships in Microsoft product groups that aren't part of MSR. The table uses postings and pages we read on November 10, 2026.

MSR also lists internships outside the US (Cambridge UK, Montreal, India and Asia labs), which this guide doesn't cover. Check the MSR open positions page for the current list.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements?

These come from the 27 live US Research Intern postings and the undergraduate program page, read on November 10, 2026.

• Degree level (PhD roles): "Currently enrolled in a Doctorate Degree program in Computer Science, STEM, or a relevant field." One Algorithms Group role accepts master's students.

• Letters and materials (PhD roles): most postings ask for at least two reference letters, a cover letter and any relevant work or research samples. Letters are requested after you apply.

• Location (PhD roles): interns are expected to be on site at their manager's Microsoft location for the whole internship.

• Class standing (undergraduate program): rising juniors or rising seniors in a bachelor's program in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, information science or a related major.

• Background (undergraduate program): at least two years of programming, plus courses in calculus, probability and statistics or machine learning, or training in a social science method.

• Visas: MSR's careers page says it helps with visa applications where needed; individual postings don't add a citizenship rule.

• GPA: not stated on any posting or the program page.

Can Undergraduates Get a Microsoft Research Internship?

Yes, but only through the Undergraduate Research Internship, and only in its fall window. The Research Intern roles on Microsoft's job system need PhD enrollment, with one master's exception, so an undergraduate application there is unlikely to fit. The program asks for a CV, up to two reference letters, a research-interest essay of 500 words or fewer and a 250-word Leadership in Diversity statement. If you're a freshman or sophomore, Microsoft's own Explore program is the closer fit.

What Skills Does Microsoft Research Look For, and How Do You Build Them?

We read all 27 live US Research Intern postings in full. The template asks every intern to collaborate with researchers and present findings, so the real differences sit in each group's requirements. Machine learning appears in 21 of 27, and AI agents in 16: the Research in Software Engineering role lists "agentic engineering" and "machine learning systems." A publication record or research projects come up in 18. Python is named in 10, and PyTorch in 7, such as "familiarity with frameworks such as PyTorch" in the Generative Modeling role. The undergraduate program asks for programming, math and statistics coursework.

How Is Demand for Research Interns Moving Right Now?

Build These Skills Before You Apply

Each skill below comes from the live postings. Externships don't replace PhD research, but they give an undergraduate a finished project to describe before the next window.

No Externship replaces a publication or a PhD advisor's letter. These build the applied skills and a project you can describe in an essay or interview.

What Is the Microsoft Research Application and Interview Process Like?

The two programs use different systems. Here's what the postings, the program page and applicants describe.

1. Pick research groups (PhD). Each group posts its own Research Intern role, so you can apply to several that match your work.

2. Submit your application. PhD roles go through Microsoft's job system with a cover letter and samples; the undergraduate program uses its own portal with a CV and two essays.

3. Letters. For most PhD roles, Microsoft requests at least two reference letters after you apply. The undergraduate program takes up to two.

4. Screen. A committee reviews undergraduate applications, applicants say. PhD applicants describe a "Screen" status that can last several weeks.

5. Interviews. Researchers interview shortlisted candidates. Undergraduate applicants reported interview invites from about mid-November in the 2024 and 2025 cycles.

Microsoft Research doesn't publish interview questions, an acceptance rate or decision dates.

What Students on Reddit Say

Most threads come from undergraduates waiting on the program's decisions. These are lightly paraphrased from threads we read in full.

How Do You Stand Out for a Microsoft Research Internship?

First, match a group, not the company. Each Research Intern role names its own research area, so a cover letter and samples tied to that group's work beat a general one. Second, line up your letters early: most PhD roles need two, and they're requested only after you apply. Third, for the undergraduate program, treat the research-interest essay as the application. It's 500 words or fewer and can name up to three of the program's 16 research areas, and applicants say even strong publication records get turned down. MSR doesn't publish an applicant count, class size or conversion rate, so there's no figure to benchmark against.

What Other Companies Should You Consider?

If you're aiming at AI and computing research, these labs and companies also hire interns:

Our AI and machine learning internships guide compares more research labs and AI employers.

FAQ

Can I still apply for a summer 2026 Microsoft Research internship?

No. Summer 2026 has already run. For summer 2027, PhD students can apply now: 27 US Research Intern roles were live on November 10, 2026, with applications taken on a rolling basis through April. The undergraduate program for summer 2027 closed October 5, 2026; its next window is expected in fall 2027.

Can undergraduates intern at Microsoft Research?

Yes, through the Undergraduate Research Internship for rising juniors and seniors in computer science or a related major. It runs 12 weeks from around May in Redmond, New York City or New England. Summer 2027 applications closed October 5, 2026, and the summer 2028 window is expected from early September to early October 2027.

Are Microsoft Research internships paid?

Yes. MSR says all its internships are paid. The PhD Research Intern postings list $6,810 to $13,480 a month base, or $8,920 to $14,610 in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City. The one master's role lists $5,690 to $11,210. Undergraduate program pay isn't published on Microsoft's own pages.

When do Microsoft Research PhD internship applications open?

In the fall. The summer 2027 roles were created from September 25, 2026 onward, and Microsoft says it takes applications and makes offers from September to April. Roles close when they're filled, and two Algorithms Group roles ask for applications by January 1, 2027. Summer 2028 roles are expected from about late September 2027.

Do I need reference letters for a Microsoft Research internship?

For most PhD roles, yes: 25 of the 27 live US postings ask for at least two reference letters, plus a cover letter and research samples. Microsoft requests the letters after you apply, so warn your writers first. The undergraduate program accepts up to two letters with a CV and two short essays.

Are Microsoft Research internships remote?

No, not the US PhD roles. Every live Research Intern posting says interns are expected to be at their manager's Microsoft location for the whole internship. Most roles are in Redmond, Washington, with others in New York City, Cambridge, Massachusetts and Mountain View, California. The undergraduate program runs at the Redmond, New York and New England labs.

How long is a Microsoft Research internship?

Twelve weeks. The PhD postings describe a 12-week internship where interns are paired with mentors, work with other interns and researchers and present findings. The postings say research internships are offered year-round but typically begin in summer. The undergraduate program also lasts 12 weeks and starts around May.

Does a Microsoft Research internship lead to a full-time job?

MSR doesn't publish a return-offer or conversion rate. Its full-time research roles look for candidates with PhDs and a record of published papers, so an internship is one step toward that path, not a direct route. Postdoc positions are typically one- or two-year fixed-term appointments, according to its careers page.

PhD students can apply to MSR's summer 2027 roles now; undergraduates have until the fall 2027 window. A remote Externship gives you a finished AI or data project to describe in the meantime.