INSAIT and MIT CSAIL Joint Research Program
Overview
The INSAIT and MIT CSAIL (Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Laboratory) Joint Research Program establishes a strategic collaboration between INSAIT and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) CSAIL, a leading research lab in computer science and AI.
The program is designed to promote academic development and high-impact research by enabling future INSAIT faculty members to spend one year at MIT CSAIL. During this period, participants will collaborate with MIT CSAIL professors, researchers, and doctoral students on advanced research projects, gaining valuable experience and contributing to ongoing scientific work.
Beyond the one-year specialisation, the program encourages long-term collaboration between INSAIT researchers and their MIT counterparts. This initiative supports the continued growth of INSAIT’s research ecosystem, fosters international partnerships, and drives progress in computer science and artificial intelligence.
Structure of the program
The INSAIT and MIT CSAIL Joint Research Program combines an employment relationship with a one-year international research specialisation. Candidates selected for the program will be employed by INSAIT as members of its academic and research staff.
INSAIT will remain the official employer of all participating researchers for the duration of the program and will be responsible for the payment of salaries, benefits, and health insurance. The one-year specialisation at MIT CSAIL is carried out within the framework of this employment, ensuring continuity and institutional support throughout the research stay.
The program funds an initial cycle of up to six individuals sent for specialisation within one year.
The total duration of participation for one person in the program is up to one year.
Eligibility
Any individual who has received an offer for a position at INSAIT, according to the Internal Rules for Organising the Program of the Institute for Computer Science Research (INSAIT) for conducting research aimed at preparing for academic positions (“tenure-track” program), is eligible to participate in the program.
Yearly program timeline (2026)
- Application Submission (by 30th of April 2026):
Interested INSAIT candidates submit their application, including a CV and a description of their research interests. - MIT Invitation (by 31st of May 2026):
Based on the candidates from INSAIT, MIT CSAIL faculty are invited to submit a 2-page collaboration proposal to MIT and INSAIT by the end of May. - Joint Selection (by 31st of July 2026):
A joint steering committee (2 members from each institution) reviews:
– Candidate qualifications
– Research alignment
– Long-term collaboration potential. The best matches are selected.
Support
The INSAIT and MIT CSAIL Joint Research Program is made possible through the generous support of the America for Bulgaria Foundation, a U.S.-based organization that supports initiatives to strengthen Bulgaria’s education, private sector, and democratic institutions, and the Lead by Example Foundation, established by SiteGround leadership to promote excellence in education, sports, and healthcare in Bulgaria. SiteGround is among INSAIT’s biggest donors, making it possible to quickly bring top AI researchers on board and later providing scholarships to foster the development of talented Bulgarian students.
The America for Bulgaria Foundation (ABF) is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonpolitical American grant-making foundation working in partnership with Bulgarians to strengthen the country’s private sector and related democratic institutions. ABF builds on the success of the Bulgarian-American Enterprise Fund, an investment fund created in 1991 by the U.S. Agency for International Development. For more information, please visit www.us4bg.org
Contact
For questions about the program, please get in touch with us at [email protected]