Microsoft is looking to the world of academia to try and find out what its augmented reality headset, HoloLens, might best be used for. Redmond announced recently that a total of five $100,000 grants will be awarded, as well as two HoloLens development kits for each recipient, to universities and non-profit researchers that meet the criteria and conditions set by Microsoft.

In a blog post Microsoft wrote, “The primary goal of this request for proposals (RFP) is to better understand the role and possible applications for holographic computing in society. Additional goals are to stimulate and advance academic research in mixed reality and encourage applications of holograms for novel purposes.”

Jeannette Wing, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Research, said that proposals can come from any field, from construction to medical, design, media and interactive art. It might also simply be used for interactive teaching on any level, given that educational institutions can afford to give students what are rumored to be expensive headsets. Microsoft has already shown how the headset can be used for educational purposes when a virtual body was turned inside out at Build 2015 last April. Such a demo was proof that HoloLens could have great capabilities at transforming education, on a personal, or collaborative level.

One of the exciting things for fans of fiction, and journalism, is that Microsoft added that one of HoloLens’ uses might be for the telling of stories. Imagine your favorite novel replete with holographic images emerging with the words. The potential is endless, and what Microsoft surely doesn’t want is for its headset to become a freak product, but something indispensable, and in turn, a household name.

Proposals, written in English should be sent before 11:30 P.M. (Pacific Daylight Time) on September 5, 2015, and can be sent via this link.

Photo credit: Microsoft