Submit Entries for Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program

Deadline: 15-Oct-26

The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program offers in-residence research and study opportunities for graduate students, doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and senior scholars whose work aligns with Smithsonian collections, facilities, research programmes, or institutional expertise. Fellowship awards range from $10,000 for 10-week graduate fellowships to $60,000 per year for postdoctoral and senior fellowships, with additional research support available for eligible categories.

About the Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program

The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program supports independent research and scholarly study conducted at Smithsonian facilities in the United States. The programme is designed for researchers whose projects can benefit from access to: The programme encourages both disciplinary and interdisciplinary research that contributes to the Smithsonian’s educational, scientific, cultural, and research mission. Research Areas Supported The fellowship programme covers a broad range of academic and research disciplines. Other fields connected to Smithsonian collections, facilities, or research interests Applicants should demonstrate a clear connection between their proposed research and the resources or expertise available through the Smithsonian. Fellowship Categories The Smithsonian Institution offers fellowships at four academic and career levels. Ten-Week Graduate Student Fellowships These fellowships are intended for graduate students, including master’s students, enrolled at a degree-granting institution.

Key details include:

Duration: 10 weeks

Stipend: $10,000

Purpose: Independent research or study connected to Smithsonian resources and expertise

This category is suitable for graduate students seeking concentrated research experience using Smithsonian collections, facilities, or institutional knowledge. Predoctoral Fellowships Predoctoral Fellowships support doctoral candidates who have completed all requirements for their degree except the dissertation.

Funding includes:

Stipend: $45,000 per year

Research expenses: Up to $5,000

Duration: 3 to 12 months

These fellowships are particularly suitable for doctoral researchers undertaking dissertation-related research requiring access to Smithsonian resources. Postdoctoral Fellowships Postdoctoral Fellowships support scholars who are within five years of receiving their Ph.D.

Funding includes:

Stipend: $60,000 per year

Research expenses: Up to $5,000

Duration: 3 to 12 months

Science applicants: May be eligible for fellowships of up to 24 months

For researchers in Earth and Planetary Sciences, the annual stipend is $65,000. Postdoctoral applicants who have taken a leave of absence from research may also be considered if they provide an appropriate justification. Senior Fellowships Senior Fellowships are intended for established scholars who received their Ph.D. at least five years before the application deadline.

Funding includes:

Stipend: $60,000 per year

Research expenses: Up to $5,000

Duration: 3 to 12 months

The fellowship enables experienced researchers to undertake advanced independent research using Smithsonian collections, facilities, and scholarly networks. Who Is Eligible? Eligibility depends on the fellowship category and the applicant’s academic or professional status. Graduate Students Applicants must be graduate students, including master’s students, enrolled in a degree-granting institution and applying for a research or study project appropriate for the Smithsonian. Predoctoral Researchers Applicants must be doctoral candidates who have completed all degree requirements other than the dissertation. Postdoctoral Researchers Applicants must generally be scholars who received their Ph.D. within the previous five years. Applicants who have taken a research leave may also be considered for postdoctoral funding if they provide an appropriate explanation. Senior Researchers Senior Fellowship applicants must have received their Ph.D. at least five years before the application deadline. Fellowship Funding at a Glance

Graduate Student Fellowship: $10,000 for 10 weeks

Predoctoral Fellowship: $45,000 per year + up to $5,000 research expenses

Postdoctoral Fellowship: $60,000 per year + up to $5,000 research expenses

Earth and Planetary Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship: $65,000 per year

Senior Fellowship: $60,000 per year + up to $5,000 research expenses

Postdoctoral Science duration: Up to 24 months in eligible cases

Other fellowship duration: Generally 3–12 months

All fellowships are conducted in residence at Smithsonian facilities. What Research Does the Programme Support? A strong fellowship project should have a clear scholarly purpose and demonstrate why the Smithsonian is an appropriate place to conduct the research.

Projects may involve:

Analysis of Smithsonian collections Archival research Laboratory-based research Museum and material studies Scientific investigation Historical research Cultural research Environmental research Interdisciplinary research Development of new approaches using Smithsonian resources Applicants should explain the relationship between their research objectives and the Smithsonian’s collections, facilities, staff expertise, or research interests. Why the Smithsonian Fellowship Matters The Smithsonian Institution maintains extensive collections, research facilities, archives, museums, and scientific resources. A fellowship can therefore provide researchers with: Financial support for research and living expenses An opportunity to advance independent research within a major research institution For researchers whose projects depend on specialised collections or institutional expertise, the in-residence format can be particularly valuable. How the Fellowship Works Applicants should approach the fellowship as a research-residency opportunity, rather than si