Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program (SIFP) 2025

Applications are now open for the Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program (SIFP) 2025, offering in-residence research opportunities for graduate students, predoctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and senior scholars. This prestigious program supports independent research across diverse fields, including anthropology, astrophysics, biology, history, and art, utilizing Smithsonian’s world-class collections and expert staff. Eligible applicants include enrolled graduate students, Ph.D. candidates, and scholars with a Ph.D., with no application fee required. You can check out more positions here

Key Details

• Fields: Anthropology, astrophysics, biology, ecology, history of art, science, and technology, and more (interdisciplinary encouraged)
• Funding:
  • Graduate: $10,000 for 10 weeks
  • Predoctoral: $45,000/year + up to $5,000 research allowance
  • Postdoctoral/Senior: $57,000/year ($62,000 for Earth/Planetary Sciences) + up to $5,000 research allowance
• Application Deadline: October 15, 2025, 11:59 PM EST
• Application Fee: None

Program Overview

The SIFP provides in-residence fellowships for independent research related to Smithsonian collections, facilities, or staff expertise. Fellows work closely with Smithsonian research staff, who serve as advisors or hosts, to conduct studies at Smithsonian facilities or field stations. The program encourages interdisciplinary research and projects that diversify the scope of study within the Smithsonian’s research areas.

Eligibility Criteria

The SIFP is open to applicants at different academic stages. Your eligibility depends on your academic level at the time the fellowship begins:

Graduate Student Fellowships

• Students enrolled in a graduate program at a degree-granting institution, having completed at least one full-time semester or equivalent.
• For students who have not yet advanced to candidacy in a doctoral program.

Predoctoral Fellowships

• Doctoral candidates who have completed all Ph.D. requirements except the dissertation, with university approval for dissertation research at the Smithsonian.
• To conduct dissertation research.

Postdoctoral Fellowships

• Scholars who have completed their Ph.D. within the last 5 years by the fellowship start date.
• To conduct independent research.

Senior Fellowships

• Scholars with a Ph.D. or equivalent for at least 5 years (received before June 1, 2018).
• To conduct advanced research.

Check Visiting Fellowships in Austria: Vienna Center for Advanced Studies (ViCAS) Early-Career Fellowship

Research Fields

The SIFP supports research in a wide range of disciplines, encouraging interdisciplinary approaches. Eligible fields include:

• Animal behavior, ecology, and environmental science (with a focus on the tropics)
• Anthropology (archaeology, cultural, linguistics, physical)
• Astrophysics and astronomy
• Earth sciences and paleobiology
• Evolutionary and systematic biology
• Folklife
• History of science and technology
• History of art (American, contemporary, African, Asian, 20th-century crafts, decorative arts)
• Materials research
• Molecular biology
• Social and cultural history of the United States

Best opportunity: St John’s College Research Fellowship in UK

Application Process

Applications must be submitted through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA) at https://solaa.si.edu by October 15, 2025, 11:59 PM EST. Select the SIFP under the Office of Academic Appointments and Internships (OAAI) in SOLAA.

Application Materials

1. Abstract: 1 page, double-spaced, summarizing your research.
2. Research Proposal: Up to 6 pages, double-spaced (excluding abstract and bibliography), including:
   • Description of the research and methodology.
   • Importance of the work to your field and personal goals.
   • Justification for conducting research at the Smithsonian.
   • Permissions for using non-Smithsonian or specific Smithsonian resources (if applicable).
   • Identification of your proposed principal advisor, co-advisor(s), or consultant(s) from Smithsonian staff.
3. Timeline: Outline the estimated time for each phase of your research.
4. Budget and Justification: For equipment, supplies, or research-related travel (up to $5,000/year, excluding stipend and relocation costs). Not applicable for graduate student fellowships.
5. Bibliography: List relevant literature for your research.
6. Curriculum Vitae (CV): Max 4 pages, including previous/current fellowships, grants, awards, and English proficiency (if not your native language).
7. Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
   • Graduate student applicants: Submit undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
   • Predoctoral/Postdoctoral applicants: Submit graduate transcripts only.
   • Senior applicants: No transcripts required.
   • Non-English transcripts must include translations.
8. References: Two letters from individuals familiar with your work (not your proposed Smithsonian advisor). Request references via SOLAA, which allows referees to submit confidentially. Follow up to ensure submission by the deadline.

See also: OIST Visiting Scholars Program 2026

Finding an Advisor

Applicants must identify a Smithsonian staff member as their principal advisor. Use the Smithsonian Opportunities for Research and Study (SORS) guide to find staff research specialties and contact details. Contact potential advisors early to confirm their availability and discuss resource feasibility. Your host unit will be the unit of your primary advisor, which must match the “preferred unit” in your SOLAA application.

• Research Staff: Can serve as principal advisors, co-advisors, or consultants.
• Conservation Staff: Can serve as principal advisors for conservation fellowships, co-advisors, or consultants.
• Affiliated Research Staff: Can serve as co-advisors or consultants if in residence during your tenure.

Stipend and Research Allowance

*Up to 24 months for postdoctoral applicants in science.
**$62,000/year for Earth and Planetary Sciences.