Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program in USA (SIFP) Deadline: 16 October, 2025
Call for the Fellowship Program in the USA!!!
The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program offers in-resident opportunities for independent research and study related to Smithsonian collections, facilities, and/or research interests of the Institution and its staff. Fellowships are offered to graduate students, predoctoral students, and postdoctoral and senior investigators to conduct independent research and to utilize the resources of the Institution with members of the Smithsonian professional research staff serving as advisors and hosts. These fellowships are offered through the Smithsonian’s Office of Academic Appointments and Internships, and are administered under the charter of the Institution, 20 U.S. Code section 41 et seq.
Applicants to the Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program must propose to conduct research in a discipline pursued at the Smithsonian and must submit a specific and detailed research proposal indicating why the Smithsonian is an appropriate place to carry out the study. Projects that broaden and diversify the research conducted within these disciplines are encouraged. Fellowships are offered to support research at Smithsonian facilities or field stations. 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.
Applicants who wish to conduct research at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) should go here as SAO application requirements and deadlines may be different.
The publication, Smithsonian Opportunities for Research and Study, outlines Smithsonian research activities and lists the research staff. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact staff members to help identify potential advisors, determine the feasibility of the proposed research being conducted at the Smithsonian Institution, and the availability of relevant resources such as staff, collections, archives and library materials during the proposed tenure dates.
Please be aware that your host unit will be the unit of your proposed advisor/primary advisor, which must also be the same as the ‘preferred unit’ you enter in the application field in SOLAA. In the case that your proposed advisor is not able to serve as your as your primary advisor, you will be assigned a different advisor at your host unit.
Principal Advisors, Co-Advisors, and Consultants
Individuals listed in SORS are divided into three categories; research staff, conservation staff and affiliated research staff. Each listing contains information regarding the individual’s educational background and their research specialties. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential advisors and co-advisors to determine the feasibility of the proposed research being conducted at the Smithsonian Institution, and the availability of relevant resources, including collections, archives, and library materials during the proposed tenure dates.
Research staff may be named by applicants to serve as principal advisors, co-advisors or consultants.
Conservation Staff may be named by applicants to serve as principal advisors for conservation fellowships, co-advisors or consultants.
Affiliated research staff who are in residence during most of the tenure period proposed may be named as a co-advisor or as a consultant by an applicant.
Location:
North America
Benefits
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Access to Smithsonian research facilities, staff expertise, and libraries.
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Stipends provided based on fellowship type:
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Graduate Student (10 weeks): $10,000
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Predoctoral (3–12 months): $45,000/year (pro-rated)
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Postdoctoral/Senior (3–12 months): $57,000/year
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Earth & Planetary Sciences Postdoc/Senior: $62,000/year
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Research allowance: up to $5,000 annually.
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Relocation allowance (if approved).
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Full-time research residency required, with exceptions for fieldwork or approved travel.
Eligibilities
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Research must align with Smithsonian disciplines and resources.
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All application materials must be in English; fluency required.
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Fellows must be in residence during the award period (unless approved for fieldwork/travel).
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Graduate Student Fellowship:
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Enrollment in a graduate program and at least one semester completed.
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Predoctoral Fellowship:
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PhD candidate status; all requirements except dissertation must be completed by the start date.
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Postdoctoral Fellowship:
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PhD (or equivalent) must be completed by the start of the fellowship.
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Senior Fellowship:
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PhD (or equivalent) must have been awarded before October 15, 2020.
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Applicants must not be Smithsonian employees or contractors during the fellowship.
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Projects must be completed within the proposed timeframe.
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Justification required if applying under postdoc eligibility after a career break.
Eligible Regions: Open for All.
Application Process
- All applications must be submitted through the: Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA)
- Research Proposal
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume
- Academic Transcripts
- Letters of Recommendation
- Justification (if applicable)
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to identify a potential Smithsonian advisor and discuss their project with them before applying.
Application Deadline: October 16, 2025
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