2026-2027 Met Fellowship Program

Join a community of scholars from various disciplines, backgrounds, perspectives, and training. Their individual interests and research, requiring close study of objects, collectively activates and uplifts 5,000 years of human creativity represented in The Met collection. Learn more here.

The History of Art and Visual Culture Fellowship supports independent research projects that make use of the extensive Met collection and Museum resources. Intended for the close study of objects, artworks, and visual traditions, this fellowship encourages original scholarship that advances critical perspectives within the applicant’s field. During their fellowship term, fellows spend the majority of their time pursuing their proposed projects and developing their work in collaboration with departmental supervisors, fellow cohort members, and staff across the Museum. Fields of study may include, but are not limited to, the history of art and architecture, critical theory, media studies, anthropology, and archaeology.

Depending on the needs of their host curatorial department, as well as the relevance of their research interests, fellows might be asked to assist with upcoming projects and exhibitions. However, not all departments request this support.

The Interdisciplinary Fellowship supports scholars whose projects lie at the intersection of various disciplines and methodologies. It encourages cross-departmental projects that explore connections between various cultures and Met collections, bridging the visual arts and other disciplines in the humanities and sciences.

Interdisciplinary fellows hail from a wide range of fields including anthropology, archaeology, critical theory, education, ethnic studies, film studies, gender studies, history, linguistics, literature, media studies, medicine, musicology, performance, philosophy, political science, psychology, religious studies, and sociology.

Applicants may propose a project exploring the intersections between public practice, education, and the humanities; however, this fellowship is not intended to culminate in an exhibition, performance, or public program.

Interdisciplinary fellows are embedded in one department but often work with additional staff across departments.

Conservators and scientists work in close collaboration with curators to study, preserve, and conserve works of art across The Met collection. The Met is home to a world-renowned network of conservation facilities, designed to meet the complex needs of its holdings. The Museum welcomes fellowship applications from junior and senior conservators and scientists to pursue advanced training and independent research projects.

Fellows are paired with a supervisor or primary contact within their host department to guide them as they navigate our extensive resources. Fellows have access to The Met collection, staff, libraries, research facilities, labs, and the time and space needed to complete their manuscripts, doctoral dissertations, scholarly articles, conservation training, research experiments, and other pursuits.

Read our FAQ here. Please apply directly on our website.

Requirements

History of Art and Visual Culture

- PhD candidates through senior postdoctoral scholars are eligible to apply. MA students and PhD students who have not yet defended their dissertation proposal are not eligible.

- Junior fellowships are awarded to those applicants who are working on their PhD on the application deadline date. Applicants who receive their PhD after the submission deadline are not eligible for the senior fellowship.

- Senior fellowships are awarded to those applicants who hold a PhD on the application deadline date and/or are well-established scholars.

- All fellows are expected to have valid US work authorization for the entire duration of the fellowship. If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, please review the additional details in the Fellowship Application FAQs, and ensure you have confirmed your eligibility prior to submitting an application.

Interdisciplinary

- The interdisciplinary fellowship is open to candidates holding a graduate degree at the MA level or beyond.

- Junior fellowships are awarded to those applicants who are working on their PhD on the application deadline date. Applicants who receive their PhD after the submission deadline are not eligible for the senior fellowship.

- Senior fellowships are awarded to those applicants who hold a PhD on the application deadline date and/or are well-established scholars.

- All fellowships must take place within the fellowship period. All fellows must be in residence at The Met for the entirety of their 12-month term.

- All fellows are expected to have valid US work authorization for the entire duration of the fellowship. If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, please review the additional details in the Fellowship Application FAQs and ensure you have confirmed your eligibility prior to submitting an application.

Scientific Research and Conservation

- MA graduates, PhD candidates, postdoctoral scholars, and senior scientists and researchers are eligible to apply. Junior fellows are those applicants who have recently completed graduate-level training, such as a master’s degree, or who are currently pursuing a PhD. Applicants for junior fellowships must have an MA in-hand by the application deadline date.

- Junior fellows are those applicants who have recently completed graduate-level training, such as a master’s degree, or who are currently pursuing a PhD.

-Applicants who receive their PhD after the submission deadline are not eligible for the senior fellowship.

-Senior fellows are well-established professionals with at least eight years of experience in the field with a proven publication record, or those who already hold a PhD by the application deadline date.

-All fellows are expected to have valid US work authorization for the entire duration of the fellowship. If you are not a US citizen or permanent resident, please review the additional details in the Fellowship Application FAQs, and ensure you have confirmed your eligibility prior to submitting an application.

All applications, including letters of recommendation, must be submitted through our online application portal and in English. The Met will not accept applications or related materials via email, postal mail, or in person.

History of Art and Visual Culture applicants must submit the following (as .dox or .pdf files):

• A project proposal, not to exceed 1,000 words, which addresses why The Met is uniquely suited to your fellowship objectives, what you wish to accomplish during the fellowship period, and how you can utilize the Museum's resources and collections to achieve your goals
• A brief schedule of work to be accomplished during the fellowship period (separate from project proposal)
• A brief schedule of travel required (maximum of six weeks) during the fellowship period
• A curriculum vitae of education, professional experience, honors, awards, and publications
• Three letters of recommendation. Applicants must submit at least one academic and one professional letter of recommendation. All letters must be submitted in English and uploaded directly by the recommenders. Recommenders may not be current Met staff, contractors, or volunteers.
• Official transcripts (undergraduate and graduate)—for predoctoral (junior) fellowship applicants only
• If you have not yet completed your PhD, you must upload a copy of your undergraduate transcript and graduate transcript. If you have transcripts from more than one institution for either category (undergraduate or graduate), please upload them as one combined file.

Once submitted, staff in relevant department(s) first review your application to assess the quality and feasibility of your application according to the criteria set forth on the evaluation rubric. If your proposal meets the necessary criteria, the department(s) recommend it for review by The Met’s Grants Committee, which consists of members of The Met’s professional staff appointed by the Museum’s Director and Chief Executive Officer. The committee reviews all aspects of each application submitted, using the evaluation rubric (see above). Following this assessment, the Grants Committee submits final award recommendations to the Director and CEO for review and approval. You are notified regarding the result of your application by the last Friday in February.

Please note that due to the lengthy and multiperspective review process, we are unable to provide individual feedback on applications that are not selected.

Applications are evaluated based on the criteria set forth in The Met’s evaluation rubric for History of Art and Visual Culture and Interdisciplinary Fellowship applications.

Reviewers consider all your application materials: your personal statement, project proposal, CV, transcripts, and letters of recommendation. They use the rubric to score your application, but this serves only as a guide. There is no cut-off score for progressing in the review process or being awarded a fellowship. View the evaluation rubric. 

Application Links

History of Art and Visual Culture, Interdisciplinary

Conservation and Scientific Research

10/17/2025