Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program (SIFP) 2027

The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program offers in-residence opportunities for independent research or study related to Smithsonian collections, facilities, and/or research interests of the Institution and its staff. Fellowships are offered to graduate students, predoctoral students, and postdoctoral and senior researchers to conduct independent research and to utilize the resources of the Institution with members of the Smithsonian professional research staff serving as advisors and hosts.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineOctober 15, 2026
• Study LevelMasters , PhD , Postdoctoral Fellowships
• SponsorSmithsonian Institution
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• Stipend: $10,000 - $60,000 per year 
• Research allowance: up to $5,000 per year

Requirements

• Ten-Week Graduate Student Fellowships – for graduate students to conduct independent research usually before having been advanced to candidacy if in a Ph.D. program. Master's students are eligible. When they apply, students must be formally enrolled in a graduate program of study at a degree-granting institution and must have completed at least one full-time semester or its equivalent by application submission.
• Predoctoral Fellowships – for doctoral candidates to conduct dissertation research. Students enrolled at a university as candidates for the Ph.D. or equivalent are eligible for predoctoral fellowships. By the time the appointment begins, the university must approve the undertaking of dissertation research at the Smithsonian Institution and certify that requirements for the doctorate, other than the dissertation, have been met by passing a proposal defense before the fellowship start date.
• Postdoctoral Fellowships – for scholars up to 5 years beyond the Ph.D.* Predoctoral students may apply if they qualify for a postdoctoral fellowship by the start date.
• Senior Fellowships – for applicants who have held a Ph.D. or equivalent for at least 5 years.* Applicants who have received the Ph.D. or equivalent before October 15, 2021 are eligible to apply for senior fellowships.

Please find a visual guide on eligibility here.

Application Deadline

How To Apply

• All applications must be submitted by October 15, 2026 11:59 PM ET (enter 2027 for the cycle on the application) through the Smithsonian Academic Appointment System (SOLAA).

For more information, kindly visit the SIFP webpage.