Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program: Postdoctoral Fellowships Grant

Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program: Postdoctoral Fellowships Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Smithsonian Institution (SI)
Amount: Up to US $124,000
Last Updated: August 11, 2025

Summary

The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program offers postdoctoral fellowships for scholars seeking to conduct independent research related to the Institution's collections and facilities. It supports interdisciplinary studies in fields such as anthropology, ecology, and the history of science. Eligible applicants must have completed their doctorate by the start of the fellowship, which may last from 3 to 24 months, with a stipend of $57,000 per year plus a research allowance of up to $5,000.

Overview

The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program offers opportunities for independent research or study related to Smithsonian collections, facilities, and/or research interests of the Institution and its staff. Fellowships are offered to graduate students, predoctoral students, and postdoctoral and senior researchers to conduct independent research and to utilize the resources of the Institution with members of the Smithsonian professional research staff serving as advisors and hosts. These fellowships are offered through the Smithsonian’s Office of Academic Appointments and Internships, and are administered under the charter of the Institution, 20 U.S. Code section 41 et seq. The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program offers fellowships for research and study in the following fields and encourages applications of an interdisciplinary nature:Animal behavior, ecology, and environmental science, including an emphasis on the tropicsAnthropology, including archaeology, cultural anthropology, linguistics, and physical anthropology;Astrophysics and astronomy; Earth sciences and paleobiology;Evolutionary & systematic biology; Folklife; History of science and technology;History of art, especially American, contemporary, African, and Asian art, twentieth-century American crafts, and decorative arts;Materials research; Molecular biology;Social and cultural history of the United States Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program: Postdoctoral Fellowships Postdoctoral Fellowships are for scholars up to seven years beyond the Ph.D.   If you have taken a “leave of absence” from research and wish to apply under the postdoctoral fellowship application instead of senior fellowship application which makes you 7 or more years out from receiving your Ph.D., please provide a justification in the additional information section at the end of the application. Duration: 3-24 monthsPost-Doctoral Fellowships at SERC are awarded for periods of no more than one year. However, Post-Doctoral Fellowship applications can be written for up to two years of support with the understanding the second year is contingent on three conditions: (1) submission of a new proposal for the second year of funding that explains progress made during the first year of support, (2) a successful ranking of the new (second-year) proposal by the SERC SIFP evaluation committee, and (3) availability of funds to support the second year request.For two-year proposals, please distinguish between the research, timeline, and budget for each year (one and two) of the research (the budget limit is $5000 in year one and $5000 in year two, itemized separately). The applicant is evaluated on the scholarly objectives of the research and the potential for success both in year one alone, and over a two year period should the second year be granted.Stipend: $57,000 per yearStipends are prorated for periods of less than twelve months.Research Allowance: Up to $5000 per yearIn addition to the stipend, allowances to assist with the fellow’s research related expenses and for temporary relocation to the Smithsonian are possible.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The doctorate degree must be completed by the time the fellowship begins.Applicants whose native language is not English are expected to have the ability to write and converse fluently in English. All application materials must be presented in EnglishPast or current fellowship recipients are eligible to apply for another award.For scholars up to 5 years beyond the Ph.D.Predoctoral students may apply if they qualify for a postdoctoral fellowship by the start date.

Ineligibility

No employee or contractor of the Smithsonian Institution may hold a Smithsonian fellowship during the time of his/her employment or contract.A fellowship may not be awarded to any person who has been employed by or under contract to the Institution in the previous year without the prior approval of the Office of Fellowships