If you wish the department to consider nominating you for a Microsoft Fellowship ,
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/collaboration/global/northam/northam-awards.aspx ,
please let me know immediately. The department can select 3 applicants for each program.
Microsoft PhD Research Fellowship Program
The nomination deadline for the Microsoft PhD Research Fellowship is October 9, 2012. The Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship is a two-year fellowship program for outstanding PhD students nominated by their universities. This program supports men and women in their third and fourth years of PhD graduate studies. To be eligible for this fellowship, you must apply during your second or third year of PhD studies. Fellowships are granted by Microsoft Research at the discretion of Microsoft.
Microsoft Graduate Women’s Scholarship Program
The nomination deadline is October 16, 2012. The Microsoft Research Graduate Women’s Scholarship is a one-year scholarship program for outstanding women graduate students and is designed to help increase the number of women pursuing a PhD. This program supports women in the second year of their graduate studies. Women who are interested in this scholarship must apply during first year of graduate studies. Scholarships are granted by Microsoft Research at the discretion of Microsoft.
no comment as of now