Applicants to the fellowship programs must propose research in a field pursued at the Smithsonian. A specific and detailed research proposal indicating why the Smithsonian is an appropriate place to conduct the studies proposed is required. Fellowships are only offered to support research within Smithsonian facilities or programs. Fellows are expected to spend most of their tenure in residence at the Smithsonian, except when arrangements are made for periods of field work or research travel. For all fellowships, appropriate members of the Smithsonian professional staff must be willing to serve in the capacity of principal advisor or host, and space and facilities must be available to accommodate the proposed research. Fields of research at the Smithsonian include... archaeology,... geological sciences,... and materials characterization and conservation.

Deadline: January 15 annually (applications are available in September)

Postdoctoral Fellowships are offered to scholars who have held the degree or equivalent for less than seven years. Senior Fellowships are offered to scholars who have held the degree or equivalent for seven years or more. The term is 3 to 12 months**. Both fellowships offer a stipend of $40,000* per year plus allowances.
* Earth and Planetary Sciences Senior and Postdoctoral stipends are $45,000 per year.
** Postdoctoral fellowship applicants in science may apply for up to 24 months.

Predoctoral Fellowships are offered to doctoral candidates who have completed preliminary course work and examinations. Candidates must have the approval of their universities to conduct doctoral research at the Smithsonian Institution. The term is 3 to 12 months. The stipend is $25,000 per year plus allowances.

Graduate Student Fellowships are offered to students formally enrolled in a graduate program of study, who have completed at least one semester, and not yet been advanced to candidacy if in a Ph.D. Program. Applicants must submit a proposal for research in a discipline, which is pursued at the Smithsonian. The term is 10 weeks; the stipend is $5,500.