Research aviation and space history for publication or a doctoral dissertation in these prestigious fellowships at the National Air and Space Museum open to pre- and postdoctoral candidates.

Candidates are encouraged to pursue programs of research and writing that are scholarly in tone and substance and intended for publication as articles in peer-reviewed journals, in book form from a reputable publisher, or in a doctoral dissertation. 

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 a Fellowship

Fast Facts About the Guggenheim Fellowship

Open To

Predoctoral and postdoctoral candidates.

Predocs should have completed preliminary course work and examinations and be engaged in dissertation research. 

Postdocs should have received their Ph.D. within the past seven years.

Duration

3- to 12-month fellowship

Stipend

Predoctoral: $30,000
Postdoctoral: $45,000

Travel and Research Expenses

Predoctoral: $2,000
Postdoctoral: $3,000

In Residence

Applications Open

Applications now open

Application Deadline

January 16

Start Dates

Between July 1 and September 15

Qualifications

  • Predoctoral Candidates: Students who have completed preliminary coursework and examinations and are engaged in dissertation research.
  • Postdoctoral Candidates: Applicants who have received a Ph.D. degree or equivalent within seven years of the beginning of the Fellowship period. Recipients must have completed that degree at the time the Fellowship commences.

Fellowship Experience

  • Devote your full time to your research project
  • Make at least one work-in-progress staff presentation on your topic
  • Work closely with a Smithsonian advisor, reporting regularly to them
  • Adhere to a 40 hour work week
  • Maintain research expenditure records
  • Prepare a summary report at the end of the fellowship
     
A panoramic view of Destination Moon, featuring Neil Armstrong's spacesuit and the Command Module Columbia.

How to Apply

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

To submit an application:

  1. Create an account.
  2. Add a new application.
  3. Select “National Air and Space Museum” under Office/Museum/Research Center.
  4. 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

This statement (1,500 words or less) should set forth your research plan, indicating the importance of the work both in relation to the larger discipline and to your own intellectual goals.

The proposal should contain: 

  • Evaluation of the contributions that Museum staff members are expected to make to your studies
  • What Museum collections, special facilities, and other resources are needed
  • How your research will benefit from additional resources in the Washington, DC area
  • Justification for the research-related expenses included in the research budget
  • An annotated historiographical introduction to the subject field of your proposal
  • How your research will be shared

A summary description of your proposed research

250 words or less

Three letters of recommendation

These can be submitted after the application but before the deadline.

A research budget

This covers travel costs and support for the research itself.
It does not include the fellowship stipend, relocation expenses, living expenses, local travel for research, or office supplies and equipment (such as paper, pens, computers, laptops, cameras, canners, etc.)

Bibliography

Of literature relevant to the applicant's proposed research, especially that cited in the research proposal.

Estimated schedule

For each phase of proposed research

Curriculum vitae or résumé

Including publications, fellowships, or accomplishments relevant to your proposal. (5 MB upload limit)

Smithsonian staff advisor

Applicants should indicate which National Air and Space Museum staff member you intend to work with. 

Two men look at a shiny plate on a piece of spacecraft.

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.

Explore the expertise areas of all National Air and Museum staff through our staff profiles.

Staff Profiles

How Applications Will Be Evaluated

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

Selection will be based on:

  • The scholarly merits of the proposal
  • The project’s potential contribution to the field of aviation and space history
  • The project’s utilization of Museum resources and staff
  • The project’s potential contribution to Museum programs
  • The research and academic record of the applicant
A view of the America by Air gallery. Several large airplanes are suspended from the ceiling with smaller airplanes on the ground.
More About the

Fellowship Program

Read More

Founding support for the Guggenheim Fellowship Program is provided by the Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Foundation. Additional support is provided by France A. Córdova and Christian J. Foster through the Armstrong-Ride Endowment.