The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship 2027-2028 in the USA offers in-residence research opportunities for graduate students, predoctoral researchers, postdoctoral researchers, and senior investigators across multiple disciplines.
Background & Fellowship Description
The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program (SIFP) provides in-residence opportunities for independent research and study using Smithsonian collections, facilities, and research resources.
Fellows work with Smithsonian professional research staff who can serve as advisors and hosts. The programme supports research across a range of disciplines and encourages interdisciplinary projects.
The fellowship can support research at Smithsonian facilities or field stations, with fellows generally expected to spend most of their fellowship period in residence.
Research Fields
The programme accepts research proposals in areas including:
- Animal behavior, ecology and environmental science
- Anthropology and archaeology
- Astrophysics and astronomy
- Earth sciences and paleobiology
- Evolutionary and systematic biology
- Folklife
- History of science and technology
- History of art
- Materials research
- Molecular biology
- Social and cultural history of the United States
Applicants are encouraged to contact potential Smithsonian advisors before applying to discuss the feasibility of their proposed research and available resources.
Who Can Apply?
The programme offers different fellowship categories.
Graduate Student Fellowships: Applicants must be formally enrolled in a graduate programme and have completed at least one full-time semester or equivalent.
Predoctoral Fellowships: Applicants must be enrolled as PhD or equivalent candidates. By the fellowship start date, their university must approve the dissertation research at the Smithsonian and confirm that doctoral requirements other than the dissertation have been completed.
Postdoctoral Fellowships: Applicants must have completed their doctorate by the beginning of the fellowship.
Senior Fellowships: Applicants must have held a PhD or equivalent for at least five years.
Applicants whose native language is not English must be able to communicate and write fluently in English, and application materials must be submitted in English.
Fellowship Stipends and Research Allowances
The Smithsonian lists the following support:
- Graduate Student Fellowship: $10,000 for 10 weeks
- Predoctoral Fellowship: $45,000 per year, plus up to $5,000 research allowance per year
- Postdoctoral Fellowship: $60,000 per year, plus up to $5,000 research allowance per year
- Senior Fellowship: $60,000 per year, plus up to $5,000 research allowance per year
Postdoctoral applicants in Science may apply for up to 24 months, while the Earth and Planetary Sciences Senior and Postdoctoral stipend is listed as $65,000 per year.
Research allowances are intended for eligible research-related expenses. The Smithsonian notes that stipends and allowances are subject to tax.
Fellowship Duration
Predoctoral fellowships can run from 3 to 12 months, while postdoctoral and senior fellowships can run from 3 to 24 months under the applicable conditions.
Graduate Student Fellowships last 10 weeks.
Fellowship tenures must begin between June 1, 2027 and May 30, 2028.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit their applications through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA).
Required materials include:
- Abstract of no more than one page
- Research proposal of no more than six pages
- Research timeline
- Budget and justification where applicable
- Bibliography
- CV of no more than four pages
- Academic transcripts where required
- References from two appropriate individuals
The research proposal should explain the proposed research, methodology, importance of the work, why the Smithsonian is an appropriate research location, and which Smithsonian researcher could serve as the proposed advisor or host.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is:
October 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
Applicants should enter 2027 for the cycle in the SOLAA application.
Decisions are expected to be communicated through SOLAA in mid-March.
How to Apply
Ready to apply? Prepare your research proposal, CV, transcripts, and references, identify a suitable Smithsonian advisor, and submit your application through SOLAA before the deadline.
👉 Apply Now: Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA)
Application deadline: October 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
Applicants should also review the official Smithsonian fellowship requirements before submitting their application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Smithsonian Institution Fellowship?
Graduate students, predoctoral researchers, postdoctoral researchers, and senior investigators can apply under the relevant fellowship category.
How much is the Smithsonian fellowship stipend?
Stipends range from $10,000 for the 10-week Graduate Student Fellowship to $60,000 per year for postdoctoral and senior fellowships, with some science categories offering higher amounts.
What is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted by October 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET.
Where do I apply?
Applications are submitted through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA).
What should the research proposal include?
The proposal should explain the research, methodology, importance of the project, why the Smithsonian is appropriate for the research, and the Smithsonian advisor or host who could support the project.
Final Thoughts
The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program 2027–2028 provides research opportunities across numerous disciplines, with different fellowship categories for graduate students, doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and senior investigators.
Eligible researchers should begin preparing their research proposal and identifying potential Smithsonian advisors well before the October 15, 2026 deadline.
Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. We are not affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution and are only sharing this fellowship opportunity with our readers. Applicants should review the official fellowship guidelines and confirm all requirements before applying.
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