Call for Entries: Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship

Deadline: 15-Oct-2026

The Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship supports doctoral candidates from Big Ten Academic Alliance member universities to conduct dissertation research in residence at the Smithsonian Institution. Predoctoral fellows receive a $45,000 annual stipend plus up to $5,000 per year for research expenses, with fellowships lasting three to 12 months and providing access to Smithsonian collections, facilities, and research experts.

What Is the Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship?

The Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship is a research fellowship jointly supported by the Smithsonian Institution and the Big Ten Academic Alliance.

The programme gives doctoral candidates an opportunity to conduct advanced dissertation research while working in residence at the Smithsonian.

Fellows can benefit from access to:

• Smithsonian research collections.
• Specialized facilities.
• Research materials.
• Professional Smithsonian researchers and advisors.
• Academic and interdisciplinary research networks.

The fellowship is intended specifically for doctoral research that can benefit from the Smithsonian’s collections, expertise or research infrastructure.

Why Does the Fellowship Matter?

Doctoral research often requires access to specialized collections, archives, laboratories, field materials and subject-matter experts.

The Smithsonian offers extensive resources across scientific, environmental, historical, cultural and social research fields.

By supporting researchers in residence, the fellowship enables doctoral candidates to:

• Advance their dissertation research.
• Work directly with Smithsonian resources.
• Develop relationships with Smithsonian researchers.
• Conduct interdisciplinary research.
• Strengthen their academic and professional profile.
• Complete research that may not be possible using university resources alone.

What Research Fields Are Supported?

The fellowship supports a broad range of disciplines.

Potential research areas include:

• Animal behavior.
• Ecology.
• Environmental science.
• Anthropology.
• Archaeology.
• Linguistics.
• Earth sciences.
• Paleobiology.
• Evolutionary biology.
• Folklife.
• History of science and technology.
• History of art.
• Materials research.
• Molecular biology.
• Social and cultural history of the United States.

Interdisciplinary research proposals are encouraged.

Applicants should demonstrate a clear connection between their proposed dissertation research and the Smithsonian’s available resources or expertise.

Fellowship Benefits

Predoctoral Stipend

Predoctoral fellows receive a stipend of:

$45,000 per year

The stipend is prorated when the appointment lasts less than 12 months.

Research Allowance

Fellows may also receive:

Up to $5,000 per year for research expenses

This allowance is also prorated for appointments shorter than 12 months.

Fellowship Duration

The fellowship can last between:

• 3 months, minimum; and
• 12 months, maximum.

Fellows are expected to devote their full-time effort to dissertation research while they are in residence at the Smithsonian.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility is restricted to doctoral candidates enrolled at Big Ten Academic Alliance member universities.

Applicants must:

• Be currently enrolled in a doctoral programme at a Big Ten Academic Alliance member university.
• Have completed all required coursework.
• Have been admitted to doctoral candidacy.
• Have completed all requirements other than the dissertation.
• Be prepared to conduct research in residence at the Smithsonian.
• Be able to communicate fluently in English.

Both U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens are eligible, provided they meet the other requirements.

Doctoral Status Requirement

This fellowship is intended for candidates who have progressed beyond coursework and are formally undertaking dissertation research.

Applicants should therefore have:

• Completed their coursework.
• Been admitted to candidacy.
• Fulfilled all doctoral requirements except the dissertation.

Students who have not yet reached doctoral candidacy should carefully verify their status before applying.

How to Identify a Smithsonian Research Advisor

Applicants are encouraged to identify potential Smithsonian advisors before submitting an application.

This is an important part of preparing a strong research proposal because the proposed research should be feasible within the Smithsonian environment.

Applicants should:

1. Identify Smithsonian researchers working in their research area.
2. Review their research interests and expertise.
3. Determine which Smithsonian collections, laboratories or resources are relevant.
4. Contact potential advisors.
5. Discuss the feasibility and relevance of the proposed dissertation research.
6. Reflect the potential collaboration or research fit in the application.

Early communication can help applicants establish that the Smithsonian has the appropriate expertise and resources for their project.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit their fellowship materials through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA).

Step 1: Confirm Your University Eligibility

Verify that you are currently enrolled as a doctoral candidate at a university belonging to the Big Ten Academic Alliance.

Step 2: Confirm Doctoral Candidacy

Ensure that you have:

• Completed all coursework.
• Been admitted to candidacy.
• Satisfied all requirements except the dissertation.

Step 3: Develop Your Research Proposal

Prepare a detailed proposal explaining:

• The research question.
• Dissertation objectives.
• Research methodology.
• Why the Smithsonian is appropriate for the project.
• Smithsonian collections or resources required.
• Expected research outcomes.
• How the residency will advance the dissertation.

Step 4: Contact Potential Smithsonian Advisors

Identify appropriate Smithsonian researchers and communicate with them about the proposed project.

Applicants should establish whether the necessary expertise, collections, facilities and research support are available.

Step 5: Prepare the Research Timeline

Create a realistic timeline showing what will be accomplished during the proposed three- to 12-month residency.

The timeline should demonstrate how the fellowship period contributes directly to dissertation completion.

Step 6: Prepare the Budget Justification

Explain how the requested research allowance will support eligible research activities.

The research allowance can be up to $5,000 per year, subject to prorating for shorter appointments.

Step 7: Collect Supporting Documents

Applicants must prepare:

• Detailed research proposal.
• Research timeline.
• Budget justification.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Academic transcripts.
• Two reference letters.

Step 8: Submit Through SOLAA

Complete the application through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA) and ensure that all required documents are submitted according to the fellowship instructions.

What Makes a Strong Application?

A competitive proposal should clearly establish the relationship between the dissertation and the Smithsonian.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• A clearly defined research question.
• Strong academic preparation.
• A realistic research methodology.
• Specific use of Smithsonian collections or facilities.
• A strong fit with potential Smithsonian advisors.
• Clear dissertation outcomes.
• A practical research timeline.
• Appropriate justification for requested research expenses.

The proposal should explain not simply what the applicant wants to research, but why the Smithsonian is necessary or particularly valuable for completing that research.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying before completing required doctoral coursework.
• Applying without formal admission to candidacy.
• Proposing research unrelated to Smithsonian resources or expertise.
• Failing to identify potential Smithsonian advisors.
• Providing a vague research methodology.
• Submitting an unrealistic three- to 12-month research timeline.
• Providing an unclear budget justification.
• Omitting transcripts or reference letters.
• Treating the fellowship primarily as general financial support rather than a research residency.

Big Ten Smithsonian Fellowship at a Glance

• Fellowship: Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship
• Host institution: Smithsonian Institution
• Target applicants: Doctoral candidates
• Eligible universities: Big Ten Academic Alliance member universities
• Citizenship: U.S. and non-U.S. citizens eligible
• Minimum fellowship: 3 months
• Maximum fellowship: 12 months
• Predoctoral stipend: $45,000 per year
• Research allowance: Up to $5,000 per year
• Research commitment: Full-time while in residence
• Doctoral requirement: Coursework completed and candidacy achieved; all requirements except dissertation completed
• English requirement: Fluent English communication
• Application platform: Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA)
• Reference letters: 2
• Key documents: Research proposal, timeline, budget justification, CV and transcripts

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship?

Doctoral candidates currently enrolled at Big Ten Academic Alliance member universities can apply if they have completed all coursework, been admitted to candidacy and fulfilled all doctoral requirements except the dissertation.

How much is the Smithsonian predoctoral fellowship stipend?

The predoctoral fellowship provides a $45,000 annual stipend, prorated for appointments shorter than 12 months.

Is additional research funding available?

Yes. Fellows can receive a research allowance of up to $5,000 per year, also prorated for shorter appointments.

How long can the fellowship last?

The fellowship tenure can range from three to 12 months.

Can international students apply?

Yes. Both U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens are eligible, provided they satisfy the fellowship requirements and can communicate fluently in English.

What research areas are eligible?

The fellowship supports numerous fields, including ecology, environmental science, anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, earth sciences, paleobiology, evolutionary biology, molecular biology, history of art, folklife and the social and cultural history of the United States. Interdisciplinary research is also encouraged.

What documents are required?

Applicants must submit a detailed research proposal, research timeline, budget justification, CV, academic transcripts and two reference letters through SOLAA.

Conclusion

The Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship provides an important research opportunity for doctoral candidates who can benefit from the Smithsonian Institution’s collections, facilities and specialist expertise.

With a $45,000 annual stipend and up to $5,000 in annual research support, the fellowship can provide substantial support for dissertation research conducted in residence. Applicants should focus on demonstrating doctoral eligibility, a strong research question, clear Smithsonian relevance, a realistic research plan and meaningful engagement with potential Smithsonian advisors.

For more information, visit Smithsonian Institution.