Peter Buck Postdoctoral Fellowship Program Grant

Peter Buck Postdoctoral Fellowship Program Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Smithsonian Institution (SI)
Amount: Up to US $144,000
Last Updated: August 30, 2025

Summary

The Peter Buck Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, established in 2011, offers multi-year fellowships for postdoctoral scholars to conduct independent research at the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH). Open to international applicants, it aims to enhance the scientific community by training future scientists and promoting innovative ideas. The fellowship includes a stipend of $62,000 annually, along with allowances for research, health insurance, and relocation. Applicants must have a recent PhD and be fluent in English.

Overview

Note: The annual application deadline follows the same schedule as the Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program (SIFP). The Peter Buck Fellowship Program complements the Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program (SIFP), providing additional positions and often longer duration for postdoctoral scholars to engage in research at NMNH. The program was established in 2011 through a generous donation from long-time member of the NMNH Board, Peter Buck. This fellowship program honors his legacy. Purpose The purpose of the Peter Buck Fellowship program is to support full-time, resident, independent research focused on utilizing the NMNH collections and facilities. Awardees are expected to be actively involved in the scholarly activities of the NMNH community. The two central goals of the Peter Buck Fellowship Program are to train the next generation of scientists and museum professionals, and to increase the flow of new ideas, perspectives, and skills into the NMNH community through full-time, resident postdoctoral fellowships. To accomplish this we mainly award multi-year postdoctoral fellowships to external postdoctoral scholars who have received a PhD. or equivalent within the last five years.Peter Buck fellowships are open to citizens of any country for them to conduct resident research as part of the NMNH community under the advisership of an NMNH staff scientist. Award Stipend: $62,000 per yearResearch Allowance: up to $5,000 per yearHealth Insurance Allowance: $5,000 per yearRelocation Allowance: based on source location Rates are prorated for periods of less than twelve months.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicants must have received their PhD. or equivalent degree and all formal requirements for a PhD. must be completed before the start of the tenure. The tenure must start no more than one year from the award date.Applicants should have a proven record of research accomplishment. Fellowships are available to US and non-US citizens.Applicants must write and converse fluently in English.All Peter Buck Fellows are expected to be resident at an NMNH facility (NHB, MSC, or SMS) full time and actively engaged in the NMNH community during the entire fellowship tenure.Applicants may apply for up to 24 consecutive months.

Ineligibility

A Peter Buck Fellow may not also be a Smithsonian employee or contractor during the period of his/her fellowship appointment and may not hold another type of Smithsonian academic appointment (e.g., Research Associate or Internship) during his/her appointment as a fellow.