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Postdoctoral Fellowships

A. W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowships and Beinecke Postdoctoral Fellowships are two-year, residential appointments that support research and writing for publication. In their first year, postdoctoral fellows design and direct an intensive weeklong seminar for the Center’s predoctoral fellows in residence, focusing on a topic related to the postdoctoral fellow’s field of interest and with a special emphasis on methodological issues. In the second year, postdoctoral fellows teach a course at a neighboring university. The A. W. Mellon and Beinecke Postdoctoral Fellowships commence in alternating years.

The Center will also host a Berger Collection Educational Trust Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow in British Art from June 15 to August 15, 2025. This residential appointment will support full-time research on the visual arts and architecture of Britain and the British Empire from any period.

Postdoctoral fellows receive an office in the National Gallery’s East Building as well as housing, subject to availability. They have access to the notable resources of the National Gallery, including its library and art collection, as well as those of greater Washington. Fellows participate in lectures, colloquia, and discussions with the Center’s vibrant community of scholars.

The deadline for applications has passed. We will announce our next application cycle in summer 2025.

Fields of study

A. W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowships and Beinecke Postdoctoral Fellowships support research in the history, theory, and criticism of the visual arts of any period or geographical area. We especially encourage applications that contribute to scholarship in historically marginalized fields.

The Berger Collection Educational Trust Visiting Postdoctoral Fellowship in British Art supports research on the visual arts and architecture of Britain and the British Empire from any period.

Qualifications
  • Postdoctoral fellows must have received a PhD within the last five years (October 15, 2019–October 15, 2024).
  • Individuals may not apply for other Center fellowships while an application is pending or once a fellowship has been awarded.
  • Individuals currently affiliated with the National Gallery are not eligible for postdoctoral fellowships.
  • Postdoctoral fellows may apply for a senior or visiting senior fellowship five years after the completion of their fellowship. 

Selection
  • Postdoctoral fellowships are awarded without regard to age or nationality.
  • Applications are reviewed by an external selection committee composed of scholars in the history of art and related disciplines.
  • Outside readers may assist in the evaluation of proposals.
  • Postdoctoral fellowships may not be postponed or renewed.

Stipend and housing
  • A. W. Mellon and the Beinecke Postdoctoral Fellows receive $55,000 per academic year. They also receive allowances for medical insurance premiums, relocation, and travel.
  • Berger Collection Educational Trust Visiting Postdoctoral Fellows in British Art receive $7,000 or $8,000, depending upon relocation requirements.
  • Postdoctoral fellows will receive an office in the National Gallery’s East Building as well as housing, as available. 

Applications

A complete application for A. W. Mellon and Beinecke Postdoctoral Fellowships includes:

  • a research narrative
  • a proposed topic for a predoctoral seminar
  • a proposed topic for a university course
  • a copy of an article or book chapter
  • three letters of recommendation

After a preliminary selection, several candidates will be invited to Washington in January 2025 for interviews.

A complete application for the Berger Collection Educational Trust Visiting Postdoctoral Fellowship in British Art includes:

  • a proposal
  • a copy of one article or book chapter
  • two letters of recommendation
Applications are due on October 15, 2024, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Contact

If you have questions about our fellowship program that aren’t included in our FAQs, please email [email protected].

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