Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship Grant

Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Smithsonian Institution (SI)
Amount: More than US $120,000
Last Updated: February 26, 2026

Summary

The Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship at the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) offers a unique opportunity for recent graduates in conservation. This full-time, two-year position focuses on the preservation of Indigenous cultural heritage, allowing fellows to engage in meaningful research projects under expert guidance. With an annual stipend of $50,000, plus funding for research and travel, this fellowship aims to foster a deep understanding of Native American cultural practices and conservation techniques.

Overview

NMAI offers one fellowship each fall in the conservation of the cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere. The position is open to candidates with a strong interest in collaborative conservation and a concentration in objects and/or textile conservation. The fellowship is full-time, 40 hours/week. With the guidance of Conservation staff, the fellow develops and carries out a research project designed to serve the NMAI’s Native/Indigenous constituency. The fellow takes part in Conservation Department activities such as collections stewardship, condition surveys, and conservation of collections items for NMAI exhibits and outgoing loans. An understanding of Native American/Indigenous cultural heritage and relevant approaches to collections stewardship, conservation, and mountmaking are developed during the fellowship. Location: The fellowship is primarily located at the NMAI Cultural Resources Center in Suitland, Maryland.Term: two yearsAnnual stipend: $50,000 plus $5,000/year for research and related travel and $5,000/year to assist with costs of medical insurance. Funding for one roundtrip ticket for relocation is also provided.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The fellowship is designed for recent graduates (within 5 years) from recognized conservation training programs and for those with equivalent experience.Applicants should demonstrate strong interest in Native American cultural heritage, a proven record of research skills, writing ability, and proficiency in English, written and spoken.