Strengthen your conservation skills working with materials from the National Air and Space Museum's unrivaled collection. 

As fellows, recent graduates will conduct research and analysis on the museum’s diverse collection and hone treatment skills by participating in various exhibition-driven projects. 

The exterior of the National Air and Space Museum.

More About Our Fellowships

This is one of several fellowships offered by the National Air and Space Museum.

Fellowship opportunities are open to researchers and writers at many levels, including predoctoral, postdoctoral, non-academic researchers, and aspiring conservators.

Learn More About the Benefits of Fellowships

Fast Facts About the Engen Conservation Fellowship

Open To

Recent graduates with a Master's degree in Conservation of Cultural Heritage

Duration

12 months, with a potential of renewal for an additional 12 months

Stipend

$45,000

Travel and Research Expenses

$5,000

In Residence

Emil Buehler Conservation Laboratory at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia

Applications Open

Application Deadline

February 15

Start Date

October 1

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Conservation of Cultural Heritage from a recognized program
  • Proven record of research and writing ability
  • Knowledge of ethical and professional principles for the preservation of cultural artifacts
  • Ability to apply theories, principles, techniques, practices, and methodologies used to examine, study, treat, and preserve historic objects
  • Ability to multi-task, work collaboratively, and conduct treatments and research independently
  • Proficient English language skills (written and spoken)

Fellowship Experience

  • Delve into theory and practice with hands-on conservation projects.
    • Choose objects for examination and treatment from the multiple projects in the lab
    • Carry out treatments on small and macro artifacts both independently and with teams.
  • Conduct independent research drawing from the Museum's collection
    • Analytical equipment will be available for material investigations and include: XRF, FTIR, microscopy (binocular, 3D, and polarized light), digital x-radiography, UV and IR photography, and colorimetry. Training with these tools is provided. 
    • Guidance is provided on research methodology, experimental design, and hypothesis development.
  • Work closely with a Smithsonian advisor, reporting regularly to them
    • Mentors will work with the fellow to tailor their original research proposal to fit the scope of the Museum’s collection and fellowship timeframe. 
    • Mentors will introduce new techniques and tools for a wide range of composite objects, metals, organic materials, and painted surfaces.
    • Mentors will aid in providing access to additional analytical tools and research collaborators from across the Smithsonian and the greater conservation network.
  • Encouraged to publish or present on their independent research
  • Adhere to a 40 hour work week
AG Comments Catch up Editing Editing Share Share: this file is shared Calibri (Body) 11 General Conditional Formatting E74 Neil Armstrong's Apollo 11 bullky white spacesuit lies flat in a conservation laboratory as two museum conservators wearing gloves work on it with delicate tools and intense focus. Neil Armstrong's Apollo 11 bullky white spacesuit lies flat in a conservation laboratory as two museum conservators wearing gloves work on it with delicate tools.

How to Apply

Applicants must apply through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA).

To submit an application: 

  1. Create an account at on SOLAA.
  2. Add a new application
  3. Select “National Air and Space Museum” under Office/Museum/Research Center.
  4. Select "Engen Conservation Fellowship." 
  5. Please ensure the current year is selected and read the special instructions for the application. 
  6. Fill out the application and submit.

As you work on your application, you can save your progress and resume your application as needed.

Apply Now

Your Application Should Include

A research proposal

No more than two pages, in 12-point font. 

The proposal should contain:

  • Topics for research you find intriguing. (Examples: refining treatment methods, or analytical process, exploring issues related to under-reported materials used for cultural objects or ethical issues.)
  • The methodology you will use.
  • The importance of the work, in relation to the broader discipline and to your own scholarly goals.
     

Two letters of recommendation

Two references from conservation professionals familiar with your work.

A completed budget request form

Complete the attached form. 

Curriculum vitae

Including basic biographical information with current and permanent addresses, telephone numbers, and an email address.

Smithsonian staff advisor

Malcolm Collum and Lauren Horelick are available to be advisors for this fellowship. 

Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts of both undergraduate and graduate courses of academic study.

If you’re transcript is from outside the United States, please include an explanation of the evaluation system.

Cover Letter

Including a cover letter is optional. 

A woman leans over a painting.

How to Pick a Smithsonian Staff Advisor

All applicants must identify a Smithsonian staff advisor. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to potential advisors before applying.

Malcolm Collum and Lauren Horelick are available to be advisors for this fellowship. 

Staff Profiles

How Applications Will Be Evaluated

Applications will be read by Museum staff and external reviewers. The application and reviewer comments will then be compiled and submitted to the selection committee.

Selection will be based on: 

  • Clarity of concept and writing in the research proposal. 
  • Extent of pre-program conservation experience and chemistry coursework.
  • Strength of reference letters from conservation professionals. 
  • Meets outlined qualifications
     

Previous Projects Include

  • A woman wearing purple gloves holds a silver spacesuit.
    Download Image

    Research Topic: "Houston We Have a Sticky Situation”: Investigations into the Adhesive Treatment of Coated Fabrics

    Fellow: Kayla Silvia

    Fellowship: 2022-2024
     

  • A pair of hands wearing purple gloves picks up a hard yellow substance.
    Download Image

    Research Topic: Adhesives for Cellulose Nitrate

    This project included cellulose acetate recognition model environments.

    Fellow: Emily Brzezinski

    Fellowship: 2021-2023

    Additional Experiences: In addition to her research, Brzezinski supported gallery renovations for RTX Living in the Space Age and Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight. 

  • A woman examines a metal object.
    Download Image

    Research Topic: Iron Stain Reduction on Painted Surfaces

    This project included Curtis Gulfhawk aircraft paint analysis and stabilization, cellulose acetate aircraft recognition models storage VOC scavenger research, Skylab Orbital Workshop paint analysis and stain reduction. 

    Fellow: Kate Gabrielli

    Fellowship: 2020-2022

    Additional Experiences: In addition to her research, Brzezinski supported gallery renovations for RTX Living in the Space Age and Wright Brothers & The Invention of the Aerial Age.

  • A composite image showing an x-ray of a battery and Japanese packaging.
    Download Image

    Research Topic: Batteries in Historic Collections: Characterization, Treatment Protocols, and Storage Guidelines

    This project included evaluating treatments of painted surfaces affected by aluminum alloy corrosion, diagnostic imaging of Gilmore, the Flying Lion, radiography of the 1909 Wright Military Flyer.

    Fellow: Meredith Sweeney

    Fellowship: 2020-2022

    Additional Experiences: In addition to her research, Sweeney supported gallery renovations for Kenneth C. Griffin Exploring the Planets and Wright Brothers & The Invention of the Aerial Age, and helped evaluate new exhibit materials through Oddy testing. 

  • woman looks at aircraft paint
    Download Image

    Research Topic: Preserving the Invasion Stripes on Flak-Bait, a World War II Martin B-26B-25-MA Marauder

    This project included characterization of World War II era paints used for invasion stripes and treatments of painted surfaces, aluminum, and ferrous alloys on the Martin B-26B-25-MA Marauder. 

    Fellow: Karen Wilcox

    Fellowship: 2018-2020

    Additional Experiences: In addition to her research, Wilcox supported the Apollo 50th anniversary exhibit and related outgoing loans, deinstallation of galleries at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, gallery renovations for Early Flight, Kenneth C. Griffin Exploring the Planets, America by Air and Thomas W. Haas We All Fly, and helped evaluate new exhibit materials through Oddy testing. 

    Want to learn more? Check out Wilcox's blog post on conserving Michael Collins' Apollo 11 razor. 

  • Anne Morrow Lindbergh Flight Helmet, After Treatment.
    Download Image

    Research Topic: I’m Rubber, and You're Glue: Investigations into Compatible Adhesive for Elastomeric Materials (Rubber) 

    This project included a study of stearate growth occurring on Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s leather flight helmet.

    Fellow: Marci Burton

    Fellowship: 2018-2019

    Additional Experiences: In addition to her research, Burton supported the Apollo 50th anniversary exhibit and related outgoing loans, deinstallation of galleries at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, assisted in treatment of painted surfaces, aluminum alloys, and the main landing gear on the the Martin B-26 MA Marauder, and helped evaluate new exhibit materials through Oddy testing. 

    Want to learn more? Check out Burton's blog post on stearate growth on Lindbergh's flight helmet.

6
  • A woman wearing purple gloves holds a silver spacesuit.
  • A pair of hands wearing purple gloves picks up a hard yellow substance.
  • A woman examines a metal object.
  • A composite image showing an x-ray of a battery and Japanese packaging.
  • woman looks at aircraft paint
  • Anne Morrow Lindbergh Flight Helmet, After Treatment.

Questions? Email our Conservation staff. 

People at work in the conservation lab. In the foreground, a man holds a flashlight over a bronze cylinder with wires on it. In the background women sit at tables, the objects they're working on cannot be seen.
More About the

Fellowship Program