The New Microsoft Data Science User Group Program

Update: R User Group sponsorships are now provided by the R Consortium, and not by Microsoft. Apply for sponsorship from the R Consortium here.

by Joseph Rickert

We are very pleased to announce that Microsoft will not only continue the Revolution Analytics’ tradition of supporting R user groups worldwide, but is expanding the scope of the user group program. The new 2016 Microsoft Data Science User Group Sponsorship Program is open to all user groups that are passionate about open-source data science technologies.  If your group is focused on R, Python, Apache Hadoop or some other vital data science technology you may qualify for the Microsoft program. The major criteria for participation are that you have a public web presence, you hold meetings on a regular basis, and the you can demonstrate your commitment to furthering and contributing to your particular corner of the open-source data science community.

Benefits of participation

Among the benefits of participating in the Microsoft Data Science User Group Sponsorship Program are:

• A shipment of goodies that you can give to your members or use as door prizes, or however you believe they will best support the success of your group.
• Promotion of your group’s activities to help get the word out to other like-minded data scientists in your area.
• Access to Microsoft subject matter and technology experts to speak at your meetups.
• The opportunity to hold user group meetings at Microsoft facilities around the world.

You will also benefit by being part of a network of like-minded data scientists that span the globe.

Requirements for Participation

In return for your group’s participation in the program we ask:

• That you list Microsoft as a sponsor on your group’s website and that you acknowledge our sponsorship at your meetings.
• That once a month, Microsoft will be able to deliver an email message to your members

Apply for the Program

When you are ready to apply it is only a matter of filling out the application form.

We are looking forward to working with you and helping you to make a difference in the open-source data science world. Please help us to make this a program a success, and let us know how you think we can work together to make things happen.

Comments

[Noam Ross]

Is funding going to still be part of the program?

[DataScienceBe]

Is this valid in Europe too? Who is our contact in Brussels?
The Brussels Data Science Community (www.datasciencebe.com) is the fastest growing community in Europe. We hold monthly meetups at the Brussels Universitiy attended by more than 100 datascience experts. (http://www.meetup.com/Brussels-Data-Science-Community-Meetup/events/223397829/ )
We would like to get in touch with you because we are opening the European Data Innovation Hub in Brussels. This data science meeting space hosts co-working space, a data science incubator for startups and a data science training centre (www.dihub.eu). For our data innovation lab, we would like to offer the azure alternative to our community members.
Could you please get me in touch with your local contact.
Thank you,

Philippe Van Impe
+32/477237842
[email protected]

[yanping]

Is this valid in China too ？

[Elliott J. R. Church]

Hey, I filled out an application form a couple weeks ago. I'm looking for a speaker for the Big Data and Hadoop Users Group in West Michigan for Wednesday, Oct 14 at 6 PM in Grand Rapids, MI. We've had a couple good talks on R already so our members are interested to hear from you. Please contact me to discuss! Thanks.