Apply for James Smithson Fellowship Program

The James Smithson Fellowship Program 2027 supports early-career U.S. postdoctoral researchers in science, humanities, and the arts to conduct independent research at the Smithsonian Institution. The 2027 theme is “Regeneration,” and each fellow receives a $62,000 stipend, $5,000 research allowance, and may receive additional travel and health insurance support.

What Is the James Smithson Fellowship Program?

The James Smithson Fellowship Program is a postdoctoral research opportunity at the Smithsonian Institution for early-career researchers pursuing independent, interdisciplinary research.

The fellowship is designed to connect academic research with broader societal and public policy questions.

Fellows have access to:

• Smithsonian collections.
• Research facilities.
• Specialized databases.
• Smithsonian research experts.
• Interdisciplinary research opportunities.
• Professional networks and perspectives across academic fields.

The programme encourages fellows to consider how their research can contribute to public understanding and inform policy.

What Is the 2027 “Regeneration” Theme?

The 2027 fellowship theme is “Regeneration.”

The theme invites researchers to investigate how societies, environments and cultural traditions respond to change through renewal, adaptation and rebuilding.

Potential areas of research include:

• Ecological restoration.
• Cultural revitalization.
• Community rebuilding.
• Social renewal.
• Environmental adaptation.
• Technological innovation.
• Restoration of cultural traditions.
• Resilience and recovery.

Projects may approach regeneration from scientific, cultural, historical, technological, social or interdisciplinary perspectives.

Why Does the Fellowship Matter?

The fellowship goes beyond conventional postdoctoral research by encouraging scholars to examine the broader significance and policy implications of their work.

It can help researchers:

• Develop independent research programmes.
• Access Smithsonian resources and expertise.
• Work across disciplinary boundaries.
• Connect scholarship with public policy.
• Develop leadership skills.
• Build relationships with researchers and institutions.
• Explore practical implications of academic research.

This makes the fellowship particularly relevant to researchers whose work has implications beyond academia.

Fellowship Benefits

Each selected fellow receives:

• $62,000 stipend
• $5,000 research allowance
• Potential one-time travel allowance
• Potential contribution toward health insurance costs
• Access to Smithsonian collections, facilities and databases
• Access to Smithsonian research expertise

The fellowship therefore provides both financial and institutional support for independent postdoctoral research.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet specific citizenship, career-stage and institutional requirements.

Eligible applicants must:

• Be U.S. citizens.
• Be postdoctoral researchers.
• Work in science, humanities or the arts.
• Be no more than five years beyond receiving their doctorate or terminal professional degree.
• Develop an independent research project connected to the 2027 theme.
• Identify a Smithsonian research advisor.

Applicants should carefully verify their doctoral completion date against the programme’s eligibility requirements.

Smithsonian Research Advisor Requirement

Candidates must identify a Smithsonian research advisor whose expertise is relevant to the proposed research.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the potential advisor before submitting their application.

A suitable advisor can help establish:

• Research feasibility.
• Access to relevant Smithsonian collections or facilities.
• Subject-matter compatibility.
• Institutional support for the proposed project.
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Applicants should therefore research Smithsonian experts carefully before finalizing their proposals.

Who Is Not Eligible?

Certain Smithsonian employees and contractors are excluded.

Current:

• Smithsonian employees, and
• Smithsonian contractors

are not eligible to apply while employed or under contract.

Former Smithsonian employees or contractors must generally have one year of separation before applying, unless an exception is approved by the Office of Academic Appointments and Internships.

How to Prepare an Application

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Check that you:

• Are a U.S. citizen.
• Hold a relevant doctorate or terminal professional degree.
• Are within five years of receiving that degree.
• Are working as a postdoctoral researcher in science, humanities or the arts.
• Do not fall under the Smithsonian employment or contractor restrictions.

Step 2: Develop a “Regeneration” Research Idea

Your project should have a clear relationship to the 2027 theme.

Consider how your research addresses concepts such as:

• Renewal.
• Restoration.
• Adaptation.
• Rebuilding.
• Resilience.
• Transformation.

The connection should be substantive rather than simply using the word “regeneration” in the project description.

Step 3: Identify a Smithsonian Advisor

Search for Smithsonian researchers whose expertise, collections or facilities align with your proposed research.

Contact potential advisors early and discuss:

• Your research question.
• Proposed methodology.
• Smithsonian resources required.
• Expected research outcomes.
• Potential interdisciplinary connections.

Step 4: Establish the Broader Significance

Explain why the research matters beyond your academic discipline.

Strong proposals should consider potential implications for:

• Public policy.
• Communities.
• Environmental management.
• Cultural preservation.
• Technological development.
• Social resilience.
• Public understanding.

Step 5: Prepare a Feasible Research Plan

Develop a clear plan showing:

• What you will investigate.
• How the research will be conducted.
• Which Smithsonian resources will be used.
• What outcomes you expect.
• How the project can be completed during the fellowship.

Step 6: Review Institutional Restrictions

Before submitting, confirm that you are not subject to the Smithsonian employee or contractor restrictions.

Former employees and contractors should also verify whether the required separation period applies.

Tips for a Strong Proposal

Applicants should aim to demonstrate:

• A clearly defined research question.
• Strong academic preparation.
• Originality and intellectual significance.
• A compelling connection to “Regeneration.”
• Appropriate use of Smithsonian resources.
• A strong relationship with the proposed Smithsonian advisor.
• Interdisciplinary potential where appropriate.
• Practical research feasibility.
• Clear public-policy or societal relevance.

The strongest projects are likely to explain not only what will be researched, but also why the Smithsonian is uniquely positioned to support the work.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Proposing a project with only a superficial connection to regeneration.
• Failing to identify an appropriate Smithsonian advisor.
• Waiting until the last minute to contact the advisor.
• Ignoring the policy or societal implications of the research.
• Proposing a project that cannot realistically be completed.
• Failing to demonstrate how Smithsonian collections or expertise will contribute.
• Applying despite not meeting the five-year postdoctoral eligibility window.
• Overlooking the restrictions applying to current or former Smithsonian employees and contractors.

James Smithson Fellowship 2027 at a Glance

• Programme: James Smithson Fellowship Program
• Host: Smithsonian Institution
• Year: 2027
• Theme: Regeneration
• Target applicants: Early-career postdoctoral researchers
• Fields: Science, humanities and arts
• Citizenship: U.S. citizens
• Career-stage limit: No more than five years beyond doctorate or terminal professional degree
• Stipend: $62,000
• Research allowance: $5,000
• Additional support: Possible travel allowance and health insurance contribution
• Research advisor: Smithsonian research advisor required
• Research approach: Independent and interdisciplinary encouraged
• Policy focus: Broader significance and public-policy implications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the James Smithson Fellowship Program?

It is a Smithsonian postdoctoral fellowship that supports independent research in science, humanities and the arts while encouraging interdisciplinary scholarship and consideration of public-policy implications.

What is the 2027 fellowship theme?

The 2027 theme is “Regeneration.” Research may explore renewal, restoration and adaptation in areas such as ecosystems, communities, cultures and technology.

How much does the fellowship pay?

Each fellow receives a $62,000 stipend and a $5,000 research allowance. Additional travel and health insurance support may also be available.

Who can apply?

U.S. citizen postdoctoral researchers in science, humanities or the arts who are no more than five years beyond their doctorate or terminal professional degree may apply, subject to all other programme requirements.

Do applicants need a Smithsonian research advisor?

Yes. Candidates must identify a Smithsonian research advisor and are encouraged to contact that advisor before applying.

Can Smithsonian employees apply?

Current Smithsonian employees and contractors are not eligible while employed or contracted. Former employees or contractors generally need one year of separation before applying unless an exception is approved.

What makes a strong “Regeneration” research proposal?

A strong proposal should present an original and feasible research question, establish a meaningful connection to regeneration, demonstrate appropriate use of Smithsonian resources, identify a suitable advisor and explain the broader societal or public-policy significance of the research.

Conclusion

The James Smithson Fellowship Program 2027 offers early-career researchers an opportunity to conduct independent research within the Smithsonian’s interdisciplinary environment while exploring the theme of Regeneration.

With a $62,000 stipend and $5,000 research allowance, the programme provides significant support for researchers developing innovative projects across science, humanities and the arts. Applicants should focus on a compelling research question, strong Smithsonian alignment, meaningful engagement with a research advisor and clear implications for society and public policy.