Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program 2027

Smithsonian Fellowship 2027: Quick Answer

SIFP supports independent research in disciplines pursued across the Smithsonian, including fields connected to natural sciences, biodiversity, anthropology, history, art, conservation, museums, culture, earth and planetary sciences, and other areas represented by Smithsonian research units. Fellows work primarily in residence and use Smithsonian collections, archives, laboratories, libraries, facilities or staff expertise.

Appointments must begin between June 1, 2027 and May 30, 2028. Graduate student fellowships last 10 weeks; predoctoral appointments normally last 3–12 months; postdoctoral and senior appointments normally last 3–12 months, while science postdoctoral applicants may request up to 24 months.

Who Can Apply?

Graduate Student Fellowship

• You must be formally enrolled in a graduate degree program when applying.
• Before the fellowship begins, you must still be enrolled and have completed at least one full-time semester or equivalent.
• Doctoral students applying at this level should not yet have advanced to candidacy.

Predoctoral Fellowship

• You must be enrolled as a PhD or equivalent doctoral candidate.
• By the appointment start, your university must approve dissertation research at the Smithsonian and certify that doctoral requirements other than the dissertation have been completed.

Postdoctoral Fellowship

• Your doctorate must be completed by the fellowship start date.
• The standard postdoctoral category is for applicants who completed the PhD less than five years ago.

Senior Fellowship

• You must have held a PhD or equivalent for at least five years.
• For the 2027 cycle, the official guidance identifies applicants with doctorates awarded before October 15, 2021 as eligible for the senior category.

Applicants whose native language is not English are expected to be able to write and converse fluently in English. Application materials must be in English.

Stipends and Research Allowances

• Graduate Student Fellowship: $10,000 for 10 weeks; no research allowance.
• Predoctoral Fellowship: $45,000 per year, prorated for shorter appointments, plus up to $5,000 per year in research allowance.
• Postdoctoral Fellowship: $60,000 per year, prorated, plus up to $5,000 per year in research allowance.
• Senior Fellowship: $60,000 per year, prorated, plus up to $5,000 per year in research allowance.
• Earth & Planetary Sciences postdoctoral/senior: $65,000 per year.

Temporary relocation support may also be available. Research allowance budgets should cover eligible research-related costs such as equipment, supplies and research travel, not relocation. Smithsonian fellowship stipends are not salary or employment compensation, and fellowship funds are subject to tax.

The Smithsonian does not provide travel or living expenses for dependents, so applicants planning a family move should budget separately.

Required Application Materials

• Abstract: no more than 1 page, double-spaced.
• Research proposal: no more than 6 pages, double-spaced, explaining methods, importance, Smithsonian fit, facilities or collections to be used, and the potential advisor/host.
• Timeline for the full-time research period.
• Budget and justification for eligible research expenses when applying for a research allowance; graduate fellows do not submit this budget.
• Bibliography relevant to the project.
• CV: maximum 4 pages.
• Transcripts: required for graduate, predoctoral and postdoctoral applicants; senior applicants are exempt. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Two references from people familiar with your work. Your proposed Smithsonian advisor or consultant should not be used as a referee.

Documents not originally in English should be translated. Applicants working with Indigenous communities should also explain consultation status, relevant contacts and plans for sharing research findings; community endorsement can strengthen the proposal.

How to Apply

1. Identify the Smithsonian unit, collection, facility or research area that fits your project.
2. Use the Smithsonian Opportunities for Research and Study directory to identify a potential principal advisor, co-advisor or consultant.
3. Contact the potential advisor early to confirm project fit, resource availability and feasible fellowship dates.
4. Prepare the abstract, research proposal, timeline, CV, transcripts and any required budget.
5. Enter the 2027 cycle in the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA).
6. Add two referees in SOLAA and request their confidential recommendations.
7. Submit the complete application by October 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET.

Important Dates

• Application deadline: October 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
• Decision notification: through SOLAA in mid-March 2027.
• Fellowship start window: June 1, 2027 to May 30, 2028.
• Appointment start days: normally the 1st or 3rd Monday of the month, coordinated with the proposed advisor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can international applicants apply?
The central SIFP page does not restrict the program to U.S. citizens. International applicants should review visa and tax implications for their proposed appointment.

Do I need to contact a Smithsonian advisor before applying?
It is strongly encouraged. The proposal must identify the Smithsonian research staff member who could serve as your principal advisor or host, and early contact helps confirm feasibility and resource access.

Is IELTS required?
The official SIFP guidance does not list IELTS as a required test. Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate that they can write and converse fluently in English, and should describe their English proficiency in the CV.

Is the $65,000 stipend available to everyone?
No. The standard postdoctoral and senior rate is $60,000 per year. The $65,000 rate is specifically listed for eligible Earth and Planetary Sciences postdoctoral and senior fellows.

Can I receive a research allowance?
Predoctoral, postdoctoral and senior fellows may request up to $5,000 per year with a justified budget. Graduate student fellows are not eligible for the research allowance.

Is this a job?
No. Smithsonian states that fellowship stipends are support for study and research, not salary or compensation.

Last verified: September 7, 2026. ScholarshipHubNow independently verified the deadline, 2027 start window, eligibility levels, stipend rates, research allowance, application materials, advisor expectations and SOLAA procedure against the official Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program page and Smithsonian fellowship-unit pages.