Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program 2027: Funded Research Opportunities With Stipends of Up to $65,000 Per Year
The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program 2027 invites graduate students, doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and senior scholars to conduct independent, full-time research using the Smithsonian’s collections, facilities, and expert staff. Selected fellows receive financial stipends ranging from $10,000 to $65,000 per year depending on their academic level and discipline.
Overview
The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program supports independent research and advanced study directly connected to the Smithsonian’s collections, research interests, facilities, and professional expertise. The program enables successful applicants to work alongside Smithsonian research professionals who serve as principal advisors, hosts, co-advisors, or consultants. Proposals are welcomed across the sciences, humanities, history, art, anthropology, environmental studies, and interdisciplinary fields.
Eligibility
Applicants must satisfy general conditions as well as criteria specific to their academic level:
- Graduate Student (Ten-Week Appointment): Must be formally enrolled in a graduate degree program, have completed at least one full-time semester, and not yet have advanced to doctoral candidacy.
- Predoctoral Appointment: Must be doctoral candidates whose universities have approved their dissertation research and confirmed they have satisfied all doctoral requirements except the dissertation.
- Postdoctoral Appointment: Must complete their doctorate or equivalent degree before the appointment begins.
- Senior Researcher: Must have held a PhD or equivalent qualification for at least five years prior to the application cycle.
- General Requirements: Must be able to carry out full-time research in residence, write and communicate fluently in English, and submit all application documents in English.
Benefits
Financial support varies by appointment level and discipline:
- Graduate Student: $10,000 stipend for a ten-week appointment.
- Predoctoral: $45,000 per year, prorated if shorter than twelve months.
- Postdoctoral: Standard stipend of $60,000 per year, with eligible researchers in Earth and Planetary Sciences receiving $65,000 per year.
- Senior Researcher: Standard stipend of $60,000 per year, with eligible researchers in Earth and Planetary Sciences receiving $65,000 per year.
- Research Allowance: Eligible predoctoral, postdoctoral, and senior applicants may request up to $5,000 per year for project-related expenses.
How to Apply
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential Smithsonian advisors before applying to discuss research feasibility. All applications must be submitted electronically through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA).
Required application documents include:
- A one-page double-spaced research abstract
- A full research proposal of up to six double-spaced pages
- A research timeline dividing the appointment into clear phases
- A budget and budget justification (where applicable)
- A bibliography of relevant literature
- A curriculum vitae of up to four pages
- Academic transcripts (unofficial transcripts accepted)
- Two academic or professional reference letters submitted through SOLAA
Deadline
Applications for the 2027 cycle must be submitted before the official deadline.