INFORMATION FOR APPLYING TO THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Applicants to the Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program must propose to conduct research in a discipline pursued at the Smithsonian and must submit a specific and detailed research proposal indicating why the Smithsonian is an appropriate place to carry out the study. Projects that broaden and diversify the research conducted within these disciplines are encouraged. Fellowships are offered to support research at Smithsonian facilities or field stations. Fellows are expected to spend most of their tenure in residence at the Smithsonian, except when arrangements are made for periods of field work or research travel.

For all fellowships, appropriate members of the Smithsonian professional staff must be willing and able to serve in the capacity of principal advisor or host, and space and facilities must be available to accommodate the proposed research.

Applicants are evaluated on the scholarly merit of their proposals; their ability to carry out the proposed research and study; the likelihood that the research can be completed during the requested appointment period; extent to which the Smithsonian, through its research staff members or resources, can contribute to the proposed research project; and the inclusion of diverse perspectives. Included in the proposal evaluation will be its relevance in terms of the Smithsonian’s Strategic Plan and how the research reflects one or more of the Four Grand Challenges.

Four Grand Challenges of the Smithsonian Strategic Plan (http://www.si.edu/Content/Pdf/About/SI_Strategic_Plan_2010-2015.pdf):

Unlocking the Mysteries of the Universe

• Better understand the early epoch of inflation of the universe, the nature and role of dark matter in the evolution of the universe, and the properties of the dark energy that is speeding up the expansion of the universe.
• Comprehend extreme explosive phenomena in the universe, with foci on gamma-ray bursts and the birth of neutron stars and black holes in supernovae, whose huge explosions create the basic elements from which life is formed.
• Discover how galaxies form, cluster, and interact; how supermassive black holes grow, and how galaxies evolve with cosmic time.
• Understand how stellar processes change clouds of gas and dust into stars and planets, including the Earth, and how life emerged here and perhaps elsewhere.
• Explore how diverse peoples throughout history have interpreted the cosmos and its role in their lives.
• Understand the formation, geological diversity, and dynamics of the Earth, the Moon, and other rocky bodies in our solar system.

Understanding and Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet

• Improve understanding of and access to the biology and natural history of species – information that is lacking for the vast majority of species on the planet.
• Increase knowledge of the evolutionary and ecological history of species and ecosystems, and the processes responsible for population declines and extinction.
• Develop concepts, theories, tools, and models that contribute directly to halting biodiversity loss, managing species and their habitats, restoring ecosystems, and mitigating threats to the environment.
• Understand how species interactions, climate change, habitat fragmentation, diseases, environmental contaminants, and invasions of exotic species affect the survival of species and the functioning of ecosystems.
• Improve knowledge of the relationships between cultures and biological diversity over time in order to better sustain both.

Valuing World Cultures

• Add to knowledge of migrations, diasporas, and interactions of cultural groups.
• Study historic and contemporary cultural and artistic heritage, with particular emphasis on the arts of Asia and Africa, the heritage of the Americas, indigenous knowledge and expressive systems, and modern and contemporary art and design.
• Shed light on the interconnections among world cultures.
• Augment knowledge about the processes leading to the loss of cultural diversity – tangible and intangible heritage.

Understanding the American Experience

• Use material culture and documentary collections to research and interpret national milestones and achievements; American life and national identity, cultural expression, the environment and changing landscape, and achievements in science and technology; political and military struggles; economic, scientific, technological, and cultural innovations; and artists and leaders that have defined the United States and the character of its people.
• Interpretation of the diverse communities of the United States, particularly African American, Latino, Asian Pacific American, and Native American, as well as the cultural interrelationships among these communities.
• Conduct research on contemporary American life and creativity.
• Conduct research on historical migrations and diasporas to and within America and on the contemporary movements of people, art, artifacts, and cultural expressions that connect various world cultures to the American experience.
• Use biography and stories of individuals such as leaders, inventors, artists, and cultural exemplars to help understand the evolving nature of the American character.

FELLOWSHIP CATEGORIES

Postdoctoral Fellowships are offered to scholars who have held a Ph.D. or equivalent for less than seven years.

Senior Fellowships are offered to scholars who have held a Ph.D. or equivalent for seven years or more. The term is 3 to 12 months.*  Both fellowships offer a stipend of $45,000 per year plus allowances. Earth and Planetary Studies - Senior and Postdoctoral - offer a stipend of $50,000 per year plus allowances.

Predoctoral Fellowships are offered to doctoral candidates who have completed preliminary course work and examinations, and have been advanced to candidacy. Candidates must have the approval of their universities to conduct doctoral research at the Smithsonian Institution. The term is 3 to 12 months. The stipend is $30,000 per year plus allowances.

Graduate Student Fellowships are offered to students formally enrolled in a graduate program, who have completed at least one semester and not yet been advanced to candidacy if in a Ph.D. Program. Applicants must submit a proposal for research in a discipline which is pursued at the Smithsonian. The term is 10 weeks; the stipend is $6,500.

These fellowships support research in residence at all Smithsonian facilities except the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (see separate listing in Fellowships and Internships section). Applications are available at end of September/beginning of October, and the deadline for submission is January 15th. Stipends are prorated for periods of less than twelve months.

*Postdoctoral applicants in Science may apply for up to 24 months.

FIELDS OF RESEARCH AND STUDY

The following information is offered as a general guide to the reader in suggesting the Smithsonian museums, research facilities, archives, and other reference resources which may be pertinent to the individual's field of interest.

American History, American Material and Folk Culture, and the History of Music and Musical Instruments, consult the following entries: National Museum of the American Indian; National Museum of American History; National Portrait Gallery; National Air and Space Museum; Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum; Anacostia Community Museum; National Museum of African American History and Culture; National Postal Museum; Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage; and the Smithsonian Institution Archives.

History of Science and Technology, consult the following entries: National Museum of American History; National Air and Space Museum; Smithsonian Institution Archives; and Dibner Library of the History of Science and Technology under Smithsonian Institution Libraries.

History of Art, Design, Crafts, and the Decorative Arts, consult the following entries: Smithsonian American Art Museum; Archives of American Art; Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; Freer Gallery of Art/Arthur M. Sackler Gallery; Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum; National Museum of African Art; National Museum of the American Indian; National Museum of American History; National Portrait Gallery; and National Postal Museum.

Anthropology, Archaeology, Linguistics, and Ethnic Studies, consult the following entries: National Museum of Natural History; National Museum of African Art; National Museum of the American Indian; National Museum of American History; Anacostia Community Museum; Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage; Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute; and the Museum Conservation Institute.

Evolutionary, Systematic, Behavioral, Environmental, and Conservation Biology, consult the following entries: National Museum of Natural History; National Zoological Park; Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

Earth, Mineral, and Planetary Science, consult the following entries: the Departments of Mineral Sciences and Paleobiology of the National Museum of Natural History; and Center for Earth and Planetary Studies of the National Air and Space Museum.

Materials Characterization and Conservation, consult the Museum Conservation Institute; Freer Gallery of Art/Arthur M. Sackler Gallery; and the National Museum of the American Indian.

PRINCIPAL ADVISORS, CO-ADVISORS, and CONSULTANTS

Individuals listed in this publication are divided into three categories; research staff, affiliated research staff, and program staff. Each listing contains information regarding the individual’s educational background and their research specialties. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential advisors and co-advisors to determine the feasibility of the proposed research being conducted at the Smithsonian Institution, and the availability of relevant resources, including collections, archives, and library materials during the proposed tenure dates.

Research staff may be named by applicants to serve as principal advisors, co-advisors or consultants.

Affiliated research staff who are in residence during most of the tenure period proposed may be named as a co-advisor or as a consultant by an applicant.

Program staff and their respective offices, are available for specialized assistance and advice to visiting investigators and are described and named in the section entitled "Research Assistance Programs."

Application Materials:

Applications are submitted through the Smithsonian On-line Academic Appointments (SOLAA) system. For General Information for Applicants and for detailed on preparing to use the online system go to Online Application Process.

                Deadline:              January 15th is the deadline for fellowships to begin on or after June 1st