Getty is accepting applications from researchers of all nationalities for a three-month residential fellowship at the Getty Villa near Malibu, California. Each selected scholar receives a US$21,500 stipend, housing, relocation travel support, an office and research assistance. Applications close on 1 October 2026.
Getty Villa Scholar Grants 2027–2028: Key Details
Funding and Benefits
Getty lists the following package for every three-month Villa Scholar appointment:
- A fixed US$21,500 grant.
- An apartment in the Getty scholar housing complex.
- A travel stipend for relocation to Los Angeles.
- An office at the Getty Villa.
- Research assistance.
- An available healthcare option.
- Access to the Getty Villa’s collections, antiquities conservation laboratories and specialized reference library.
Getty’s residential-grants FAQ also states that international awardees receive visa support after accepting an offer.
Who Can Apply?
- Researchers of any nationality working in the arts, humanities or social sciences may apply.
- The programme is intended for scholars and individuals who have attained distinction in their fields.
- Projects should relate to the 2027–2028 Villa theme, The Classical World in Context: Glocalization.
- Priority is given to interdisciplinary, comparative, transregional and diachronic research on art, material culture, literature and other sources for the study of antiquity.
- Applicants who received their degree after 1 September 2022 are directed to apply for a postdoctoral fellowship; Getty states that postdoctoral fellowships will not be offered at the Villa in 2027–2028.
- Current Getty staff and their immediate family members are not eligible.
- Previous Getty Scholar awardees must complete a six-year waiting period before reapplying.
Required Application Documents
- Project proposal: no more than five typed, double-spaced pages, with up to five illustrations. It should describe the project, explain its connection to the annual theme, show its contribution to the field, present the proposed research plan and explain how Getty resources will benefit the work.
- Curriculum vitae: a record of the applicant’s professional activities.
- Optional writing sample: one sample of no more than 20 double-spaced pages.
Letters of reference are not required for the Getty Villa Scholar Grant. The official page does not list a separate application fee or standardized English-test certificate.
How to Apply
- Read the official Villa Scholar call and confirm your eligibility.
- Develop a project that directly engages with the 2027–2028 “Glocalization” theme.
- Prepare the five-page proposal, CV and any optional writing sample.
- Create or update your account in the Getty Foundation Grant Portal.
- Start one application and return to it through “Applications: In Progress” to avoid creating duplicate forms.
- Upload the required documents, review every field and submit by 1 October 2026.
Important Dates
| Milestone | Official information |
|---|---|
| Application status | Open for the 2027–2028 cycle |
| Application deadline | 1 October 2026 |
| Exact cutoff time and time zone | Not listed by Getty |
| Residency choices | September–December, January–March or April–June |
| Decision notification | Approximately six months after the deadline |
Getty does not publish an exact cutoff time or time zone.
How Applications Are Selected
A section committee comprising Getty staff and specialists connected with the annual theme reviews the applications. Getty evaluates:
- The overall quality of the application and its adherence to the annual theme.
- The project’s potential contribution to the applicant’s field.
- The applicant’s past achievements.
- The applicant’s qualifications to complete the proposed work.
Getty states that it typically awards about a dozen Villa Scholar places across its annual applicant pool. Individual decisions are expected approximately six months after the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding does the Getty Villa Scholar Grant provide?
The fixed grant is US$21,500 for a three-month residency. Housing, a relocation travel stipend, an office, research assistance and an available healthcare option are also listed.
Can international researchers apply?
Yes. Getty welcomes researchers of all nationalities, and its residential-grants FAQ confirms visa support for international awardees who accept an offer.
Which subjects are eligible?
Applicants may work in the arts, humanities or social sciences, but their proposal should engage with the 2027–2028 Getty Villa theme, “The Classical World in Context: Glocalization.”
Are postdoctoral fellowships available at the Getty Villa?
No. Getty states that Villa postdoctoral fellowships will not be offered in 2027–2028. Applicants whose degree was received after 1 September 2022 are directed toward the postdoctoral category.
Is there an application fee?
No application fee is listed on the official programme page or in the published application guidance.
Is IELTS or TOEFL required?
The official sources do not list IELTS, TOEFL or another standardized English-language test.
Are recommendation letters required?
No. Getty explicitly states that letters of reference are not required for the Villa Scholar Grant.
What is the exact deadline time?
The official deadline date is 1 October 2026. Getty does not list an exact cutoff time or time zone on the programme page, so applicants should submit early.
Official Sources
Related Opportunities
Prepare Your Getty Villa Application
Shape a focused proposal around “Glocalization,” explain why the Villa’s collections matter to the project and submit through Getty’s official portal before the deadline date.
Apply NowVerification disclaimer: ScholarshipHubNow verified this guide against current Getty sources on 12 September 2026. Programme terms can change; confirm every condition on the official call before submitting.
