Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program (SIFP)
- Omran Aburayya
- Sep 19
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 21
If you are a recent master’s graduate in art or archaeological conservation (or equivalent), or a materials scientist at the post‐doctoral level, the Smithsonian Postgraduate/Postdoctoral Fellowships in Conservation of Museum Collections Program is now open! This fellowship gives you the chance to conduct research and receive hands-on training working with museum collection objects in conservation labs at the Smithsonian. Applications are due October 15, 2025, 11:59 PM EST. Here's everything you need to know.
🎓 Fellowship Summary
Location: Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., USA
Fellowship Level:
Postgraduate / Predoctoral (for recent master’s graduates in conservation or equivalent)
Postdoctoral (for those who already hold a PhD or equivalent)
Target Group: Recent graduates (masters level) in conservation of art, archaeology or related fields, and materials scientists.
Fields of Focus: Conservation of museum collections; training & research involving conservation of objects (art, applied arts, archaeological, scientific collections etc.); materials science relevant to conservation. Use of Smithsonian collections, labs, archives.
Value & Coverage: Stipend + research allowance (see below)
Duration: Typically 12 months, though shorter periods (minimum 3 months) are possible. Fellows are expected to be in residence at Smithsonian during tenure except for approved absences.
Application Deadline: October 15, 2025, 11:59 PM EST
🌐 Fellowship Overview
This program is a fellowship opportunity (rather than a taught degree). It combines research + further training in conservation of museum objects. Fellows work in Smithsonian conservation laboratories, leveraging its large collections, expert staff (conservators, conservation scientists), specialized labs (including at MCI), and collections across multiple museums (e.g. decorative arts, paper, textiles, natural history, etc.).
Fellows are expected to be in residence at the Smithsonian, collaborating with advisers/hosts among the Smithsonian conservation or research staff. Proposed work must justify why it must be done at the Smithsonian (access to collections/labs/staff). Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential advisors before applying.
🎁 Fellowship Benefits
The Smithsonian Postgraduate/Postdoctoral Fellowships in Conservation of Museum Collections provide competitive financial and professional support across several categories:
1. Ten-Week Graduate Student Fellowships
Eligibility: Applicants who have completed at least one semester of graduate school. Open to master’s students and pre-doctoral candidates.
Term: 10 weeks
Stipend: $10,000
Research Allowance: Not applicable
2. Predoctoral Fellowships
Eligibility: Doctoral candidates who have advanced to candidacy and satisfied all Ph.D. candidacy requirements. Designed for dissertation research.
Term: 3 to 12 months
Stipend: $45,000 per year (pro-rated for shorter terms)
Research Allowance: Up to $5,000 per year
3. Postdoctoral Fellowships
Eligibility: Applicants who completed their Ph.D. within the last five years. Advanced predoctoral fellows may apply if they will have their degree in hand by the fellowship start date.
Term: 3 to 12 months
Stipend: $57,000 per year (pro-rated for shorter terms)
Research Allowance: Up to $5,000 per year
4. Senior Fellowships
Eligibility: Applicants who have held a Ph.D. for at least five years at the time of application.
Term: 3 to 12 months
Stipend: $57,000 per year (pro-rated for shorter terms)
Research Allowance: Up to $5,000 per year
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Must hold a master’s degree in art conservation, archaeological conservation, or equivalent (for postgraduate/predoctoral track), or a PhD / equivalent (for postdoctoral track).
Research proposal must involve conservation of objects in museum collections, to be conducted in Smithsonian conservation labs. Justification for why Smithsonian is needed.
Applicants must not be current employees or contractors of Smithsonian; those formerly employed/contracted in the year before application need prior approval.
English proficiency: for non-native speakers, must write and speak fluently in English; all materials submitted in English (translations allowed for transcripts)
📝 Application Procedure
Apply via SOLAA (Smithsonian’s Online Academic Appointment System).
Files to upload:
Abstract (≤ 1 page), to be submitted together with Research Proposal in same file.
Research Proposal (≤ 3 pages, double spaced, 1″ margins, font ≥ 11 pt). Excluding abstract & bibliography. Should include:
description of planned research & methods
importance of your work (field your own goals)
justification for needing Smithsonian resources, and how you’ll use them
identification of a Smithsonian staff adviser/host (and possible co-advisers / consultants)
Diversity Statement (≤ 1 page, double spaced) — how your background, perspective, or the project contributes to diversity / equity in the discipline.
Budget & Justification for research-related expenses (equipment, supplies, travel etc.), excluding stipend & relocation; up to $5,000 allowed. If more needed, must explain additional funding sources.
Bibliography relevant to your proposed research.
Curriculum Vitae (CV): include awards, previous fellowships, research interests. If non-native English speaker, note proficiency.
Transcripts (graduate required; for earlier degree if applicable). Unofficial acceptable. Translations if not in English.
References: Two letters from people familiar with your work (not your proposed Smithsonian adviser(s)). Provided via SOLAA.
Contact potential adviser(s): Before applying, reach out to Smithsonian conservation or research staff to identify a principal adviser / host, co-advisers or consultants. This helps ensure feasibility, access to required laboratories/collections.
Submit before deadline: All materials must be submitted by October 15, 2025, 11:59 PM EST through SOLAA.
ℹ️ Additional Information
The fellowship is contingent on available funding. Even though values are stated, all awards depend on funding.
The stipend is not a salary, and cannot be retroactively applied.
Dependents’ travel or living expenses are not covered.
All funds (stipend, research, relocation) are subject to US federal and state tax. Fellows will receive a financial summary annually.
For those whose home “native language” is not English: proficiency matters for both oral and written; transcripts must be in English or translated.
