Are you a graduate student, doctoral researcher, postdoctoral scholar, or experienced researcher looking for an opportunity to conduct research at one of the world’s leading museums and research institutions? The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program (SIFP) supports independent research across the Smithsonian’s museums, research centers, collections, archives, and laboratories.
The program offers several fellowship categories for researchers at different career stages, with opportunities available across fields including science, history, culture, art, anthropology, environmental research, and other areas supported by Smithsonian research units.
Program Overview: Smithsonian Institution Fellowship
- Opportunity Type: In-Residence Research Fellowship
- Study Level: Graduate Students, Predoctoral Researchers, Postdoctoral Researchers & Senior Scholars
- Eligible Nationalities: Worldwide
- Age Limit: No specific age limit stated
- Education Requirement: Varies by fellowship category
- Work Experience: Varies by fellowship level and research category
- Nomination Required: No
- University Admission: Not required
- Funding: Stipend-based funding, with amounts varying by fellowship category and duration
- Application Fee: $0
- Location: Smithsonian Institution facilities in the United States
- Mode: In-person / In-residence
- Deadline: October 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
- Official Website: Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program
Fellowship Categories
The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program includes several funding categories depending on your academic and research stage.
1. Ten-Week Graduate Student Fellowship
Designed for graduate students who want to undertake a short-term research project using Smithsonian resources and working with a Smithsonian advisor.
- Duration: 10 weeks
- Stipend: $10,000
- Eligibility: Graduate students who meet the program’s enrollment requirements
2. Predoctoral Fellowship
Designed for doctoral candidates conducting dissertation-related research at the Smithsonian.
- Duration: Generally 3–12 months
- Eligibility: PhD candidates whose institutions have approved their dissertation research
- Funding: Fellowship stipend and applicable research support
3. Postdoctoral Fellowship
For researchers who have recently completed their doctoral degree and want to conduct independent research with Smithsonian staff and resources.
- Duration: Generally 3–12 months
- Eligibility: Researchers within the program’s specified postdoctoral eligibility period
- Funding: Competitive stipend plus applicable allowances
4. Senior Fellowship
Designed for established researchers with a longer postdoctoral research history.
- Duration: Generally 3–12 months
- Eligibility: Scholars meeting the program’s senior-fellowship requirements
- Funding: Competitive stipend and applicable research support
What Can You Research?
One of the biggest advantages of SIFP is the breadth of research available through the Smithsonian.
Depending on the fellowship and host unit, researchers may work with:
- Smithsonian museum collections
- Scientific specimens
- Archives and historical records
- Libraries and research databases
- Laboratories
- Cultural and anthropological collections
- Environmental and biological research resources
- Art and design collections
- History and heritage materials
Applicants generally develop their own research project and identify an appropriate Smithsonian research advisor or host before submitting their application.
What Does the Fellowship Provide?
Funding varies according to the fellowship category and length of the research stay.
Potential support includes:
- Fellowship stipend
- Research-related support
- Travel or research allowances where applicable
- Access to Smithsonian facilities and collections
- Workspace and research infrastructure
- Collaboration with Smithsonian researchers and staff
The 10-week Graduate Student Fellowship, for example, provides a $10,000 stipend.
Because funding differs between categories, applicants should check the specific fellowship type rather than assuming that every SIFP award provides the same amount.
In-Residence Requirement
SIFP is primarily an in-residence research opportunity.
This means it is different from a conventional remote fellowship. Fellows are expected to make use of Smithsonian facilities, collections, archives, laboratories, libraries, or other research resources relevant to their projects.
Applicants should therefore be prepared to spend the required fellowship period at the appropriate Smithsonian facility in the United States.
Important Things Applicants Should Know
You Need a Suitable Research Project
SIFP is not simply a general scholarship. Applicants need a well-defined research proposal that fits the resources and expertise available through the Smithsonian.
A Smithsonian Advisor Is Important
Applicants generally need to identify and communicate with an appropriate Smithsonian researcher or advisor whose expertise and resources align with the proposed project.
Funding Depends on Category
Do not assume that every fellowship category provides the same stipend or allowances. Funding, duration, and eligibility requirements differ between graduate, predoctoral, postdoctoral, and senior fellowships.
International Applicants
International researchers can apply. However, applicants coming to the United States should also consider visa, travel, housing, insurance, and applicable tax requirements when budgeting for their research stay.
Who Should Apply?
The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program is particularly relevant for researchers whose work can benefit from access to Smithsonian collections, archives, laboratories, libraries, museums, or specialist research staff.
It can be a strong opportunity for:
- Graduate students
- PhD candidates
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Senior scholars
- International researchers
- Researchers in science and technology
- Historians and social scientists
- Art and cultural researchers
- Anthropologists
- Environmental and biological researchers
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