{"id":901101,"date":"2022-12-12T10:55:12","date_gmt":"2022-12-12T18:55:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/"},"modified":"2026-10-01T10:54:37","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T17:54:37","slug":"microsoft-research-special-projects","status":"publish","type":"msr-group","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/group\/microsoft-research-special-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"Microsoft Research Special Projects"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Microsoft Research Special Projects<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

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Note<\/strong>: This research has reached its conclusion, and this page is for historical reference and archival purposes only.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Explore Catalyst research<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Microsoft Research Special Projects group operates on the boundary between engineering and research to drive breakthrough innovation. We are a research group with world-class specialists solving highly uncertain, complex problems. We build technologies to benefit society, including tools for digital safety, plurality, and evidence-based policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our criteria for problem selection reflect an intentional focus on the most critical problems where we can make a meaningful impact for society, industry, and the planet:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A version of the problem exists in the world today.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The problem has or will soon cross a critical boundary.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Every person on the planet is a potential stakeholder.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Microsoft can uniquely contribute added value.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Special Projects solution approach is one of specialized <\/em>research that requires novel combinations of domain expertise and technological capability to succeed. It involves working beyond existing disciplines, organizations, and other boundaries in a participatory approach to transforming real-world practice: <\/p>\n\n\n\n