SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (SIFP)

Determination of the fellowship category for which to apply should be based on the anticipated academic level at the time the fellowship would begin:

1. Senior Fellowships – Applicants must have held a Ph.D. or equivalent for at least 5 years. Applicants who have received the Ph.D. or equivalent before June 1, 2018 are eligible to apply for senior fellowships.
2. Postdoctoral Fellowships – for scholars up to 5 years beyond the Ph.D.*
3. Predoctoral Fellowships – for doctoral candidates to conduct dissertation research. Students enrolled in a university as candidates for the Ph.D. or equivalent are eligible for predoctoral fellowships. By the time the appointment begins, the university must approve the undertaking of dissertation research at the Smithsonian Institution and certify that requirements for the doctorate, other than the dissertation, have been met.
4. Ten-Week Graduate Student Fellowships – for graduate students to conduct independent research usually before having been advanced to candidacy if in a Ph.D. program. When they apply, students must be formally enrolled in a graduate program of study at a degree-granting institution and must have completed at least one full-time semester or its equivalent. 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 5 or more years out from receiving your Ph.D., please provide a justification in the additional information section at the end of the application.

Stated amount: 5,205,293

1. Senior Fellowships – Term: 3 to 12 months
2. Postdoctoral Fellowships – Term: 3 to 12 months
3. Predoctoral Fellowships – Term: 3 to 12 months
4. Ten-Week Graduate Student Fellowships – Term: 10 weeks
5. Fellowship tenures must begin between June 1, 2025 and May 30, 2026.
6. Postdoctoral applicants in Science may apply for up to 24 months. Fellowship Category Stipend Research Allowance Senior & Postdoctoral $57,000 per year up to $5,000 Earth and Planetary Sciences Senior and Postdoctoral $62,000 per year up to $5,000 Predoctoral $45,000 per year up to $5,000 For more detial, please visit official website.

Applications are evaluated and fellows are selected, by scholars in appropriate fields, on the basis of the proposal’s merit, the applicant’s ability to carry out the proposed research and study, the likelihood that the research could be completed in the requested time, demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion, and the extent to which the Smithsonian, through its research staff members and resources, could contribute to the research and professional goals of the fellow. The number of appointments made each year is determined by the availability of funds for the program. As part of its mandate for “the increase and diffusion of knowledge,” including the diverse ideas, skills, and cultures of our nation, the Smithsonian Institution pursues policies of equal opportunity and cultural diversity. The Smithsonian Fellowship program does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, gender stereotyping, pregnancy, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, parental status, or marital status. Other Info In preparing your proposal, be sure to provide and address the following:

1. A description of the research you plan to undertake at the Smithsonian Institution, including the methodology to be utilized.
2. The importance of the work, both in relation to the broader discipline and to your own scholarly goals.
3. Justification for conducting your research at the Smithsonian and utilization of research facilities and resources.
4. Permissions to utilize non-SI collections or facilities or Smithsonian collections and facilities not associated with your advisor(s). (If applicable)
5. Identification of the member of the Smithsonian’s research staff who might serve as your principal advisor/host. Also identify potential co-advisor(s) and/or consultant(s) if applicable. The publication, Smithsonian Opportunities for Research and Study, contains the necessary information on staff research specialties and current departmental interests to help you determine which staff members are best suited to your research needs. Research staff may be named by applicants to serve as principal advisors, co-advisors or consultants. Affiliated research staff may be named as co-advisors or consultants if they will be in residence during at least a portion of the tenure period proposed. You are strongly encouraged to correspond with your proposed advisor(s) as you prepare your proposal. Timeline
6. Estimate of time period for each phase of the research proposed for the full time period (regardless of one or two years). Diversity Statement
7. Please address - How your perspective, experience, and/or project contribute to a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable discipline.
8. No more than one (1) page, double spaced. Budget and Justification
9. Budget and justification for equipment, supplies, research-related travel costs, and other support required to conduct the research itself (excluding stipend and relocation costs). You may not include funding to do any direct hires. You are encouraged to discuss potential research costs with your proposed advisor(s) before submitting your application.
10. If the funds required to support the research exceed the maximum research allowance of $5,000 per year, please explain the source of additional funds.
11. Applicants for graduate student fellowships are not eligible for research and research travel allowances, and should not submit budget justifications. Bibliography
12. Bibliography of literature relevant to the applicant’s proposed research. ​​​​​​​ Curriculum Vitae (CV)
13. Please provide a current CV (please limit to 4 pages maximum).
14. Including previous and current fellowships, grants, and/or awards.
15. If English is not your native language, describe the level of your proficiency in reading, conversing, and writing in English. Transcripts (unofficial are acceptable) (you may upload up to three 3MB files)
16. Transcripts (or other materials when transcripts are not issued) from all appropriate institutions are required except for senior fellowship applications.
17. Applicants for graduate student fellowships must submit undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
18. Applicants for predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships need only submit graduate transcripts.
19. If transcripts or other materials are not in English the applicant should provide translations. References –from two appropriate persons selected by you.
20. Names and email addresses of two persons familiar with your work. Please, do not use your proposed Smithsonian advisor(s) or consultant(s) as your referees.
21. All reference letters are considered confidential unless confidentiality has been waived by the referee.
22. Provide a copy of your proposal and a copy of Letter to Referee (downloadable pdf) to your referees.
23. Through SOLAA you will send an email from the system to these referees so they can provide references through the SOLAA system. Please note: referees will not be able to view your application and you may send the request any time prior to submission. They will still be able to submit their reference before or after you submit your application.
24. Referees are encouraged to submit references no later than the application due date. However, references can be submitted after the deadline but there is no guarantee it will be included once the review process begins.
25. Applicant’s can check their SOLAA application to determine if letters of recommendation have been submitted or not. Applicants are encouraged to follow-up with referees who have not yet submitted. Applicants conducting research with Indigenous communities should provide information on the current state of consultation, appropriate contacts, and plans for sharing research findings with these communities. A tribal letter of approval or tribal community endorsement will strengthen a proposal and may be submitted as an additional reference letter.