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Senior Fellowships

Senior fellowships provide scholars with the opportunity to conduct full-time research in residence at the Center. 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 Center will award one Paul Mellon Fellowship and four to six Ailsa Mellon Bruce, Samuel H. Kress, and William C. Seitz Senior Fellowships each academic year. We also consider applications for a single academic term.

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

Fields of study

Paul Mellon Senior Fellowships and Ailsa Mellon Bruce Senior Fellowships support research in the history, theory, and criticism of the visual arts of any period or geographical area.

Samuel H. Kress Senior Fellowships support research on European art before the early 19th century.

William C. Seitz Senior Fellowships primarily support research on modern and contemporary art.

We welcome applications from scholars in any discipline whose work examines art or artifacts or has implications for the analysis, interpretation, and criticism of visual art or visual culture.

Qualifications
  • Senior fellowships are intended for those who have held a PhD for five years or more, or who possess an equivalent record of professional accomplishment.
  • 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 senior fellowships.
  • Senior fellows may reapply five years after the completion of their fellowship.

Selection
  • Senior 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.
  • Senior fellowships may not be postponed or renewed.

Stipend and housing
  • Senior fellows receive $50,000 for the academic year. This may be paid directly to the fellow or through their institution.
  • Awards for a single academic term are prorated.
  • Senior fellows receive an allowance for travel to a scholarly conference.
  • Senior fellows will receive an office in the National Gallery’s East Building as well as housing, as available. 

Associate appointments

We will consider associate appointments for individuals with outside awards for full-time research who would like to be affiliated with the Center. Associate appointments may be for an academic year or a single academic term. Qualifications and selection for associate appointments are the same as those for senior fellows.

Applications

A complete application includes:

  • a proposal
  • copies of two publications, either articles or book chapters
  • three 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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