The Anne van Biema Fellowship
Supports postdoctoral and senior scholars conducting immersive research on Japanese visual arts at the Smithsonian's Freer and Sackler Galleries.
Funder: Smithsonian Institution
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 | May 2027
Funding Amounts: Up to $60,000 (prorated; approx. $5,000/month) for 2–12 months; up to $5,000 additional for research/travel.
Summary: Supports postdoctoral and senior scholars conducting research on Japanese visual arts at the Smithsonian's Freer and Sackler Galleries.
Description
The Anne van Biema Fellowship is designed to advance research and publication in Japanese visual arts by supporting postdoctoral and senior scholars to conduct research at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art (Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery) in Washington, DC. The fellowship provides an immersive environment for research, writing, and scholarly interaction, encouraging fellows to engage with the museum’s collections, archives, and academic community. Projects are evaluated based on merit, originality, methodology, and the potential for significant scholarly publication. Interdisciplinary projects are welcome if they focus primarily on Japanese visual arts.
Fellows are expected to dedicate themselves full-time to their proposed research, participate in museum programs, and present a research-in-progress seminar. Access to research space, a networked computer, and the museum’s resources is provided.
