Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship
This fellowship supports Big Ten Academic Alliance doctoral candidates conducting dissertation research at the Smithsonian in science or humanities fields, providing access to collections, facilities, and expert mentorship.
Funder: Smithsonian Institution
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2026 (Full application, projected)
Funding Amounts: $45,000/year stipend (prorated for less than 12 months) + up to $5,000/year research allowance; 3–12 month term
Summary: Fellowship for Big Ten Academic Alliance doctoral candidates to conduct dissertation research at the Smithsonian in science or humanities fields.
Key Information: Only open to doctoral candidates at Big Ten Academic Alliance member universities.
Description
The Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship is a competitive program supporting doctoral candidates from Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) universities to conduct dissertation research in residence at the Smithsonian Institution. Fellows gain access to Smithsonian collections, facilities, and professional mentorship, advancing their research in diverse fields such as animal behavior, ecology, anthropology, earth sciences, evolutionary biology, folklife, history of science and art, materials research, molecular biology, and U.S. social and cultural history. The fellowship is designed to foster academic advancement and interdisciplinary scholarship through collaboration between BTAA universities and the Smithsonian.
