Getty Conservation Guest Scholars Program 2026
Experienced cultural heritage conservation professionals can apply for a fully funded three-month research residency at the Getty in Los Angeles. The program provides a $21,500 grant, accommodation, and access to specialized research resources.
Overview
The Getty Conservation Guest Scholars Program, organized by the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), offers established professionals and researchers in cultural heritage conservation the opportunity to undertake advanced independent research. Selected scholars complete a three-month residency at the Getty Center or Getty Villa in Los Angeles, California, allowing them to focus entirely on their research projects away from normal work-related obligations.
Available residency periods span across three seasonal blocks: September–December, January–March, and April–June. Participants also join the intellectual community at Getty, interacting with fellow scholars, interns, and visiting professionals.
Benefits
- A $21,500 financial grant for the three-month residency.
- An apartment in the Getty scholar housing complex.
- A dedicated workstation at the Conservation Institute.
- A travel stipend and an available healthcare option.
- Research assistance and access to Getty research resources, libraries, and collections.
Eligibility
- Possess at least seven years of professional experience in cultural heritage conservation, preservation, architecture, heritage collections, or related fields.
- Demonstrate an established record of publications, research contributions, and professional achievements.
- Propose an original research project relevant to advancing conservation practice (postdoctoral research and projects counting toward a PhD or academic degree are ineligible).
- Observe a six-year waiting period if they are previous recipients of a Conservation Guest Scholar Grant.
Applicants must meet specific professional criteria to qualify for the program:
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through the Getty Foundation Grant Portal and must include the following components:
- Project Proposal: Maximum of five typed, double-spaced pages covering project description, methodology, expected outcomes, and the value of Getty resources.
- Abridged Curriculum Vitae: Maximum of five typed, single-spaced pages highlighting relevant professional activities.
- Selected Bibliography: Maximum of two typed, single-spaced pages outlining key scholarly works related to the research.
Deadline
The deadline to submit application materials is October 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Los Angeles time (GMT-7). Successful applicants will be notified of decisions by March or April 2027.