Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program (SIFP) 2027

The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program offers in-residence fellowships for independent research and study connected with Smithsonian collections, facilities, research interests and professional staff. Fellows work with Smithsonian researchers serving as advisors and hosts while undertaking their own research projects.

Applicants must propose research in a discipline pursued at the Smithsonian and submit a specific research proposal explaining why the Smithsonian is an appropriate setting for the project. The programme encourages projects that broaden and diversify research within Smithsonian disciplines.

Research areas include subjects such as animal behaviour, ecology and environmental science, anthropology, archaeology, astrophysics and astronomy, earth sciences and paleobiology, evolutionary and systematic biology, folklife, history of science and technology, art history, materials research, molecular biology, and the social and cultural history of the United States.

Fellows are normally expected to spend most of their appointment in residence at the Smithsonian, although approved fieldwork or research travel may form part of the project. Applicants are strongly encouraged to identify and contact appropriate Smithsonian research staff before applying to assess advisor availability and the feasibility of using relevant collections, archives, facilities or other resources.

Graduate Student Fellowship

• Applicants must be formally enrolled in a graduate programme at a degree-granting institution when applying.
• Master’s students are eligible.
• Applicants must have completed at least one full-time semester, or its equivalent, by the application deadline.
• The fellowship is intended for graduate students undertaking independent research, normally before advancement to candidacy for those in a PhD programme.

Predoctoral Fellowship

• Applicants must be enrolled at a university as candidates for a PhD or equivalent.
• By the fellowship start date, the university must approve the applicant undertaking dissertation research at the Smithsonian.
• Requirements for the doctorate other than the dissertation must have been completed by the start of the fellowship, including passing the proposal defence.

Postdoctoral Fellowship

• Applicants must normally be within five years of receiving their PhD or equivalent.
• Predoctoral applicants may apply if they will qualify for postdoctoral status by the fellowship start date.

Senior Fellowship

• Applicants must normally have held a PhD or equivalent for at least five years.
• For this cycle, applicants who received their PhD or equivalent before 15 October 2021 are eligible for the Senior Fellowship category.

General Requirements

• The proposed research must be in a discipline pursued at the Smithsonian.
• Applicants whose native language is not English are expected to be able to write and converse fluently in English.
• Application materials must be submitted in English.
• Former Smithsonian employees or contractors must normally have one year of separation before applying.
• Current Smithsonian employees or contractors cannot normally hold a Smithsonian fellowship during their employment or contract without prior approval.

• Graduate Student Fellowship: US$10,000 for 10 weeks.
• Predoctoral Fellowship: US$45,000 per year.
• Postdoctoral Fellowship: US$60,000 per year.
• Senior Fellowship: US$60,000 per year.
• Earth and Planetary Sciences Postdoctoral/Senior Fellowship: US$65,000 per year.
• Predoctoral, Postdoctoral and Senior Fellows may apply for a research allowance of up to US$5,000 per year.
• Allowances to assist with temporary relocation to the Smithsonian may also be available.
• Fellows receive access to relevant Smithsonian research resources and facilities.
• Smithsonian library privileges can include borrowing, interlibrary loans, document delivery, database searching and reference assistance.

Applicants are required to prepare application materials through SOLAA, including:

• Abstract — maximum one page, double-spaced
• Research proposal — maximum six pages, double-spaced
• Research methodology
• Explanation of the importance of the proposed research
• Justification for conducting the research at the Smithsonian
• Identification of the proposed Smithsonian principal advisor/host
• Research timeline
• Budget and justification, where applying for a research allowance
• Bibliography
• Current CV — maximum four pages
• Academic transcripts, except for Senior Fellowship applicants
• English translations of foreign transcripts where applicable
• References/recommendations as required in SOLAA

Applicants whose native language is not English should describe their proficiency in reading, conversation and writing in English within their CV.

Applications are evaluated by scholars in appropriate fields based on:

• Merit of the proposed research
• Applicant's ability to carry out the proposed research and study
• Likelihood that the research can be completed within the requested appointment period
• Extent to which Smithsonian research staff and resources can contribute to the proposed research
• Extent to which Smithsonian resources can contribute to the applicant's professional goals

• Conduct independent research using Smithsonian collections, facilities and specialist resources.
• Work alongside Smithsonian professional research staff.
• Access research opportunities across science, humanities, history, culture, art and related disciplines.
• Develop a substantial independent research project in an internationally recognised research environment.
• Gain access to Smithsonian libraries, archives, collections and other research resources relevant to the project.
• Receive financial support appropriate to the fellowship category.
• Build research relationships with Smithsonian scholars and specialists