CRA and Microsoft Launch New Fellowship to Advance Trustworthy AI Research
By Matt Hazenbush, Director of Communications
The Computing Research Association (CRA), with support from Microsoft, is pleased to announce the launch of the CRA Trustworthy AI Research Fellowship for Early Career Scholars. Inspired by recommendations from the 2022 National Academies report, Fostering Responsible Computing Research, the program provides early-career computing researchers with structured interdisciplinary training, collaborative opportunities, and resources to tackle critical societal questions surrounding artificial intelligence (AI).
Fellowship Goals and Activities
The fellowship supports early-career researchers in infusing ethical and societal considerations into computing research, particularly in the context of AI development. Fellows will actively engage with experts from multiple disciplines, contribute to a national Trustworthy AI lexicon and framework, lead or collaborate on Trustworthy AI initiatives at CRA partner institutions (e.g., CRA member and CAHSI institutions), and help establish a scalable model for interdisciplinary Trustworthy AI training.
The fellowship begins with an introductory virtual meeting in July 2025, followed by a four-day in-person field school in August. Quarterly virtual meetings throughout the fellowship duration will then sustain collaboration and advance research.
“The CRA Trustworthy AI Research Fellowship represents our commitment to fostering responsible innovation by creating a critical connection between computing and the social sciences,” said Tracy Camp, Executive Director and CEO of CRA. “We appreciate the support from Microsoft and are excited to empower early-career researchers to lead this crucial interdisciplinary dialogue and proactively shape the future of AI.”
“Effectively addressing the societal complexities of AI demands collaboration across multiple fields,” said Mary L. Gray, Senior Principal Researcher with Microsoft Research. “This fellowship enables emerging researchers to explore these important intersections and contribute to solutions that build on the National Academies’ recommendations.”
Fellows will receive a stipend of $16,500, funding to support travel, lodging, and meals associated with the field school, virtual meetings throughout the year, as well as professional development opportunities and visibility within the research community.
Applications Due April 30, 2025
Applications for the inaugural 2025-2026 CRA Trustworthy AI Research Fellowship are now open and must be submitted by April 30, 2025. The application consists of a brief online form requesting contact and academic information, a CV, a description of your interdisciplinary social science experience and/or training, and a short essay on your interest in becoming a CRA Trustworthy AI Research Fellow.
Qualified applicants should:
- Have completed their PhD within one to three years prior to application.
- Hold a primary PhD degree in a computing-related field (such as computer science, computer engineering, data science, or information systems).
- Possess secondary training or significant research experience in at least one social science discipline, such as anthropology, communication and media studies, studies of vulnerable populations, history, labor studies, political science, science and technology studies (STS), or sociology.
- Hold a faculty or visiting researcher position (e.g., postdoc, fellowship) at an institution of higher education in the United States.
Interested scholars should visit the fellowship webpage for more details.
Help Spread the Word
We encourage the computing research community to share this fellowship announcement with qualified early-career researchers who may benefit from this opportunity.
For more information or questions about the fellowship, please contact Janine Myszka at jmyszka@cra.org.
