Arthur Molella Distinguished Fellowship Grant

Arthur Molella Distinguished Fellowship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Smithsonian Institution (SI)
Amount: US $35,000
Last Updated: August 30, 2025

Summary

The Arthur Molella Distinguished Fellowship, endowed by The Lemelson Foundation, supports senior scholars in technology and innovation studies at the Smithsonian Institution. Eligible candidates include experienced authors and scholars from various related fields. The fellowship offers flexible funding of $35,000 for sabbaticals, short visits, or residencies, encouraging research that highlights diverse inventors and innovations. The program fosters participation in museum activities and provides necessary support for non-US citizens.

Overview

Background The Arthur Molella Distinguished Fellowship is endowed by The Lemelson Foundation and supports the work of senior scholars in recognition of Dr. Arthur P. Molella, founding director emeritus of the Lemelson Center. The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation is accepting applications for the Arthur Molella Distinguished Fellowship at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History (NMAH). We seek to appoint an experienced author or senior scholar (at the associate/full/emeritus professor level or equivalent) from the history of technology, science and technology studies, business history, museum studies, STEAM education, or an allied field. Smithsonian staff are not eligible. The specific arrangement is flexible: the Molella Distinguished Fellow mayuse the funds as a sabbatical supplement; for several short-duration visits; for a single residency focused on research and writing; or for a series of lectures leading to a major publication. We invite the Molella Distinguished Fellow to participate in the intellectual life and programmatic activities of the museum; to take advantage of the expertise of the museum’s research staff(opens in new window); and to consult the Institution’s vast invention and technology collections (see http://collections.si.edu/(opens in new window)). The Lemelson Center will assist in arranging a visa for non-US citizens, provide a workspace, and facilitate startup procedures at the Smithsonian. Topics The Lemelson Center invites all applications covering the broad spectrum of research topics in the history of technology, invention, and innovation. However, the Center especially encourages proposals that align with one (or more) of its strategic research and programmatic areas, including 1) projects that illuminate inventors from diverse backgrounds or any inventions and technologies associated with under-represented groups, such as women, minorities, LGBTQ, and the disabled; (2) projects exploring innovation in sports and sports technology; or (3) projects that explore the broader ecosystem of individuals and institutions that support inventors, including inventors' professional organizations; angel investors, venture capitalists, and financiers; incubators and entrepreneurial coaches; patent agents and IP attorneys; product designers, manufacturers, and marketers; and bankruptcy-liquidation specialists. Stipend and Residency $35,000 (US). Funds may be used flexibly to support teaching buyouts, travel for several short-term visits, living expenses for longer residences up to seven months, and related research expenses. Dates are flexible.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Experienced authors or senior scholars (at the associate/full/emeritus professor level or equivalent) from the history of technology, science and technology studies, business history, museum studies, STEAM education, or an allied field.

Ineligibility

Smithsonian staff are not eligible.