Fellowships

The period of this fellowship is September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025. This includes a six-week phase of virtual meetings and activities at the start of the fellowship term with a focus on professional development activities aimed to build the skills and capacity of the fellow to conduct research. This initial period includes training and orientation to the museum’s collections and other resources at the Smithsonian, refining the proposed research project and timeline in consultation with NMAI staff, and networking with NMAI staff and fellows. Additional professional development opportunities are available throughout the fellowship period and are offered in consultation with the fellow.

After the first six weeks, fellows are expected to be onsite to conduct their research. While some fellows may also need to be in the community to work with other community members as part of their research projects, fellows are expected to reside in the DC area for at least nine months total to conduct their onsite research activities. Fellows must commit to prioritizing their research activities during the entirety of the fellowship period to receive the full stipend award.

The majority of NMAI collections are housed at the CRC in Suitland, Maryland. A Smithsonian employee shuttle is available to transport fellows to and from the National Mall to the CRC. Note that housing is not provided, but financial and logistical resources are offered to fellows to support their time residing in the DC area.

Candidates applying from outside the US are encouraged to contact the NMAI Fellowship Program Administrator to learn more about unique considerations for international fellows and visa implications. Individuals are not able to use tourist status (B-1, B-2, WB, WT, ESTA, EVUS, etc.) for this fellowship. Individuals requiring J-1 visa sponsorship must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program or have a US bachelor’s degree or equivalent to be eligible for this program.

This fellowship is most suited to individuals conducting research that would be beneficial to a community with collections at the NMAI. Individuals who are early in their research or scholarly careers, or who have conducted previous work but would benefit from additional guidance, are ideal candidates for this program. Applicants may be associated with a university or have an advanced degree, although this is not required.

Note that any researcher requesting access to sacred, ceremonial, or culturally sensitive items must obtain and provide proof of permission from an authorized tribal official prior to access.

Fellows are offered up to $66,000 in financial support, plus a one-time roundtrip travel allowance. Financial support is provided in the form of stipends and allowances to support the fellow’s research activities. Please note that all stipends are subject to tax.

• Fellowship Stipend—a base stipend of $57,000 is provided to cover living expenses such as lodging, food, and transportation for fellowship activities. This stipend is evenly distributed in payments across the fellowship period.
• Health Insurance Allowance—a separate allowance of $5,000 is provided to assist with healthcare costs during the fellowship period. This allowance is evenly distributed in stipend payments across the fellowship period.
• Research Allowance—up to $4,000 is provided for equipment, supplies, research-related travel costs, and other support required to conduct research. This can be used to support costs such as travel to other museums or research institutions, conference attendance, or other professional development activities that increase the capacity of the fellow to conduct work. These funds can be requested as needed throughout the fellowship period.
• Travel Allowance—fellows will be provided a one-time roundtrip travel allowance for their travel to the Smithsonian. This travel allowance will be disbursed in the stipend payment following the fellow’s travel to the Smithsonian.

Upon successful completion of the fellowship term, the researcher will become eligible to apply for additional funding to support a community-based project to bring the experience and information gained at the NMAI back to a community related to or impacted by the research project. The type of community can be broadly defined and encompass rural or reservation communities, urban communities, academic or knowledge-based communities, etc. Researchers will be asked to submit a plan, timeline, and budget for their community-based project to access these funds. Researchers must use these funds within six months of completing their fellowship.

Applications must be submitted through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment (SOLAA) System to be considered.

Applicants with limited internet connectivity or technological capabilities should contact the NMAI Fellowship Program Administrator to discuss alternative ways to provide application materials.

All application materials must be received no later than April 4, 2024, 12 PM EST.

The application consists of 1) contact information and optional demographic information (for statistical purposes) for the applicant; 2) a research proposal (up to 2000 words) providing an overview of the research goals and methodologies, its importance and benefit to the community of focus and/or other Native communities, and personal motivations for pursuing the research; 3) a proposed timeline for conducting research activities; 4) plans (up to 500 words) for using the additional research allowance; and 5) two or three NMAI staff from whom you would be interested in receiving mentorship, and why you chose these individuals.

Fellows will have the opportunity to further refine their research and allowance plans in consultation with NMAI staff.

Each applicant will also be required to provide the following items:

• A résumé or curriculum vitae
• One letter of support from an individual who can speak to the importance of the work to be conducted and its benefit to Native communities
• One letter of support from an individual who can speak to the applicant’s ability to conduct the proposed research

Selections will be made based on eligibility, NMAI collections resources available to support the intended work, feasibility of the applicant’s proposed research, and how the proposed research will benefit Native communities. The review and selection committees are comprised of NMAI staff and external partners with expertise in community and collections research.

Applicants in top consideration will be contacted for interviews in the final phase of the selection process.

Please refer any questions regarding this fellowship program to:

Kendall Tryhane (she/her)
NMAI Fellowship Program Administrator
Email: nmaifellowships@si.edu
Phone: 301-238-1486

NMAI and Smithsonian research and collections resources:

• NMAI Collections Search
• NMAI Research and Curatorial Staff
• Smithsonian Collections Search
• Smithsonian Libraries
• Smithsonian Virtual Archives

Additional opportunities for research and study at the Smithsonian:

• Recovering Voices Community Research Program
• Betsy James Wyeth Fellowship in Native American Art
• Summer Institute in Museum Anthropology
• Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program
• Smithsonian Opportunities for Research and Study

Opportunities for community-focused research outside of the Smithsonian:

• Center for Native American and Indigenous Research (CNAIR), American Philosophical Society
• Connecting Communities Digital Initiative (CCDI) Artist/Scholar in Residence, Library of Congress
• Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship, First Nations Development Institute

Programs listed here are not endorsed by the Smithsonian. If you know of programs that should be added to this list, please contact the NMAI Fellowship Program Administrator.

The period of this fellowship is a maximum of 10 weeks between September 1, 2024, and August 31, 2025. This includes a six-week virtual period between September 1 and October 15 focused on professional development activities and orientation to NMAI staff and collections.

Virtual meetings and activities will be dedicated to building the skills and capacity of artists to conduct collections research and navigate future engagements with museums. This includes refining research projects and the research timeline in consultation with NMAI staff, training and orientation to the NMAI and its collections resources, connecting with other artist fellows, planning and preparing for any additional research opportunities at other Smithsonian or DC-area museums, and professional development on engagement opportunities with museums and cultural institutions.

The majority of NMAI collections are housed at the CRC in Suitland, Maryland. A Smithsonian employee shuttle is available to transport fellows to and from the National Mall and the CRC. Note that housing is not provided, but financial and logistical resources are offered to fellows to support their time residing in the DC area.

Artists will select two to four weeks to be in residence at the NMAI between October 15, 2024, and August 31, 2025, to pursue their collections research projects. Artists should be in residence for no less than one week at a time.

The majority of NMAI collections are housed at the CRC in Suitland, Maryland. A Smithsonian employee shuttle is available to transport fellows to and from the National Mall to the CRC. Note that housing is not provided, but financial and logistical resources are offered to artists to support their time residing in the DC area.

Candidates applying from outside the US are encouraged to contact the NMAI Fellowship Program Administrator to learn more about unique considerations for international fellows and visa implications. Individuals are not able to use tourist status (B-1, B-2, WB, WT, ESTA, EVUS, etc.) for this fellowship. Individuals requiring J-1 visa sponsorship must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program or have a US bachelor’s degree or equivalent to be eligible for this program.

This fellowship is most suited to individuals who are early in their artistic careers or venturing into a new art form, or to individuals who have experience in their chosen artistic field but are not yet fully established. Applicants must also clearly demonstrate connections or ties to a community with collections at the NMAI. Fellows are expected to reside in the DC area between two to four weeks to conduct their onsite research activities. Applicants may be associated with a university or have an advanced degree, although this is not required.

Note that any researcher requesting access to sacred, ceremonial, or culturally sensitive items must obtain and provide proof of permission from an authorized tribal official prior to access.

Artists will be offered up to $10,300 in financial support, plus a one-time roundtrip travel allowance. Financial support is provided in the form of stipends and allowances to support the artist’s research activities. Note that all stipends and allowances are subject to tax.

• Fellowship Stipend—a base stipend of up to $7,800 to cover living expenses such as lodging, food, and local transportation. Stipends will be prorated based on the length of the fellowship ($500 per week for virtual activities and $1,200 per week for onsite activities).
• Research Allowance—up to $2,500 for equipment, supplies, research-related travel costs, and other support required to conduct research. This may be used for any additional trips beyond the initial visit to the Smithsonian, or for artist supplies or materials needed onsite.
• Travel Allowance—a one-time roundtrip travel allowance for the artist’s initial travel to the Smithsonian. This allowance is based on geographic location and is disbursed in the stipend payment following the artist's travel to the Smithsonian.

Upon successful completion of the fellowship term, the artist is eligible to apply for additional funding to support a community-based project to bring the experience and information gained at the NMAI back to a community related to the artist’s research. The type of community can be broadly defined and encompass rural or reservation communities, urban communities, art or trade-based communities, etc. Artists are asked to submit a plan, timeline, and budget for their community-based project to access these funds. Artists must use these funds within six months of completing their fellowships.

Applications must be submitted through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment (SOLAA) System to be considered.

Applicants with limited internet connectivity or technological capabilities should contact the NMAI Fellowship Program Administrator for alternative ways to provide application materials.

All application materials must be received no later than April 4, 2024, 12 PM EST.

The application consists of 1) contact information and optional demographic information (for statistical purposes) for the applicant; 2) a research proposal (up to 1000 words) providing an overview of the work and its importance and benefit to Native communities; 3) a proposed timeline for conducting onsite research activities; and 4) plans (up to 500 words) for using the additional research allowance.

Fellows will have the opportunity to further refine their research and allowance plans in consultation with NMAI staff.

Each applicant will also be required to provide the following items:

• An artist bio
• A résumé or curriculum vitae
• Up to five artistic works that demonstrate the applicant’s work in their artistic field
• Contact information for two references who can speak to the applicant’s artistic ability and importance of their work (other artists or community members, professors, mentors, etc.)

Selections will be made based on eligibility, NMAI collections resources available to support the proposed work, and how the work will support or elevate artistic practices or knowledge for the benefit of Native communities. The review and selection committees are comprised of NMAI staff and external partners with expertise in Native art and collections research.

Applicants in top consideration are contacted for interviews in the final phase of the selection process.

Please refer any questions regarding this fellowship program to:

Kendall Tryhane (she/her)
NMAI Fellowship Program Administrator
Email: nmaifellowships@si.edu
Phone: 301-238-1486

NMAI and Smithsonian research and collections resources:

• NMAI Collections Search
• NMAI Research and Curatorial Staff
• Smithsonian Collections Search
• Smithsonian Libraries
• Smithsonian Virtual Archives

Additional opportunities for research and study at the Smithsonian:

• Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship
• Betsy James Wyeth Fellowship in Native American Art
• Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program
• Smithsonian Opportunities for Research and Study

The Smithsonian Office of Academic Appointments and Internships (OAAI) manages and administers the institution's fellowship programs and research associate appointments. The OAAI FAQ page addresses general questions about Smithsonian fellowships, eligibility, and technical assistance for reference letter writers.

Fellowship candidates must apply through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment (SOLAA) system. Create an account to save and track the status of your application. Once you have created your account and logged in, locate the opportunity you are interested in and select the “Apply Now” option to access and complete the application.

The Andrew W. Mellon Conservation Fellowship, Native Arts Fellowship, and Native American Collections Fellowship are administered by the NMAI. In SOLAA, go to the “Search for Programs” section and locate the “Office/Museum/Research Center” field. From the dropdown menu, select “NMAI-National Museum of the American Indian” and then the appropriate fellowship program

The Betsy James Wyeth Fellowship is administered by the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM). In SOLAA, go to the “Search for Programs” section and locate the “Office/Museum/Research Center” field. From the dropdown menu, select SAAM-Smithsonian American Art Museum and then the appropriate application category (predoctoral, postdoctoral, or senior).

The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program is administered by the Office of Academic Appointments and Internships (OAAI). In SOLAA, go to the “Search for Programs” section and locate the “Office/Museum/Research Center” field. From the dropdown menu, select “OAAI-Office of Academic Appointments and Internships” and then the appropriate application category (graduate student, predoctoral, postdoctoral, or senior).

The Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship (SARF) is a nominated program administered by OAAI. Applicants invited through the nomination process receive further instructions on how to apply. For more information on this program and how to be considered for a nomination, visit the SARF page.

No, applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on the application deadline date; however, you can submit your application without all reference letters uploaded. Reference letter writers can still upload their letters for a short period of time after application submission. Should you have technical issues on the deadline date, contact the NMAI Fellowship Program Administrator for help.

Applications must be processed through the online system to be considered. If you need additional assistance or encounter barriers to using the online system, such as unstable or unreliable internet, please contact the NMAI Fellowship Program Administrator for further guidance.

The Smithsonian Opportunities for Research and Study (SORS) Guide includes a directory of all Smithsonian research staff and their specialties. The NMAI Research page provides a listing of the museum’s research and curatorial staff.

Yes, researchers are encouraged to take advantage of the many collections and resources available throughout the Smithsonian. If the application requires you to list proposed advisors or consultants, please ensure that your primary advisor or consultant is based at the NMAI.

Refer to information on the fellowship opportunity you are interested in for specific guidance on what should be included in your research proposal and any specific formatting requirements. Proposals should give a broad overview of your research project, the importance or need for the research, a clear plan and timeframe for conducting research activities, and how Smithsonian resources will help you accomplish your goals.

This section is for residential fellowships, meaning the fellow is expected to be onsite in the Washington, DC, area during the fellowship period. List your city of residence in the “Travel From” field and Washington, DC, in the “Travel To” field.

To request a reference letter in your SOLAA application, please enter the email address for your referee in the field provided. Then click the “Send To” button (envelope icon). SOLAA will send an automatic email to the referee with a link to upload the letter. We recommend you confirm that your referee has received this email link. If they do not receive the email, have them check their Junk or Spam folder first and verify that the correct email address was used. Refer to the OAAI FAQ page for additional guidance and technical support.

NMAI fellowship programs are designed to connect fellows to numerous resources available at the Smithsonian, including onsite collections access and engagement opportunities with other NMAI researchers, staff, and fellows. We recognize that relocation or travel to the Washington, DC, region may not be possible for everyone. Independent researchers or community members may wish to consider a virtual access appointment to view object collections. In addition, many of the NMAI’s archival collections are accessible online.

Virtual research requests can be submitted by completing a NMAI Object Collections Request form. Indicate that you are interested in a “Research Visit Request” and that you want to schedule a virtual visit. Visit the NMAI Archive Center page for more information. The Smithsonian’s Research Resources page provides information on the wealth of resources to support researchers and learners available through the institution.

Most Smithsonian fellowship opportunities are designed to support individuals. Some opportunities, such as the Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship, allow collaborative groups to apply. Inquire with the specific program to determine options for community or group research. Indigenous community groups or other collaborative research groups may also wish to consider non-fellowship opportunities like the Recovering Voices Community Research Program, coordinated by the National Museum of Natural History.

The NMAI also supports various engagements and partnerships with Indigenous groups, tribal museums, cultural centers, and allied organizations. If you are interested in pursuing a collaboration or opportunity and do not have a current point of contact at the museum, the NMAI’s Outreach and Engagement Planning Office can begin a conversation to learn more about your needs or desires for working together. Contact the NMAI Fellowship Program Administrator for more information or with any additional questions.