Engen Conservation Fellowship Grant

Engen Conservation Fellowship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Smithsonian Institution (SI)
Amount: US $50,000
Last Updated: November 26, 2025

Summary

The Engen Conservation Fellowship at the National Air and Space Museum offers recent graduates the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in conservation techniques for a diverse collection of artifacts. With a focus on modern materials, fellows will refine their treatment processes and conduct independent research. The fellowship includes a $45,000 stipend and a $5,000 research allowance, while taking place at the Emil Buehler Conservation Laboratory in Virginia. This prestigious program encourages fellows to present their research findings at the end of their tenure.

Overview

NOTE: Letters of recommendation is represented by the pre-proposal deadline above. The National Air and Space Museum holds more than 60,000 artifacts that represent three centuries of aerospace history from 18th century ballooning to current spacecraft. Large aircraft and spacecraft represent a small portion of the entire collection, the vast majority include equipment and small objects. The collection also includes 5,000 works of art, spacesuits, engines, textiles, toys, and much more. The Engen Fellowship introduces the candidate to conservation techniques for a wide range of composite objects, metals, organic materials, and painted surfaces. This fellowship is intended to contribute to the education of recent graduates by allowing them to delve into the complexities of working with modern materials, refine treatment processes, learn time and project management, and conduct a research project of their choosing. The Fellow's independent research will be derived from our diverse collection. Fellows will be encouraged to publish or present their research at the end of their tenure. Fellowship appointments are for one year, with a one year potential renewal. They commence in the fall and include a $5,000 research allowance and a $45,000 stipend. The fellowships will take place at the Emil Buehler Conservation Laboratory at the Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The ideal candidate will have a Master's degree in Objects Conservation from a recognized program.Must be able to multi-task, work collaboratively, and conduct treatments and research independently. The candidate should have knowledge of ethical and professional principles and concepts related to the preservation of objects in a wide variety of media. They must have the ability to apply theories, principles, techniques, practices, and methodologies used to examine, study, treat, and preserve historic objects.Applicants should have a proven record of research, writing ability, and proficiency in English language skills (written and spoken).