David E. Finley Fellowship
Limited submission
David E. Finley Fellowship supports doctoral researchers in the visual arts with research abroad and curatorial work at the National Gallery of Art to complete dissertations and complementary research.
Funder: Samuel H. Kress Foundation
Due Dates: November 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $30,000 per year for 36 months, plus travel allowances; housing as available during residency
Summary: Supports doctoral dissertation research in the visual arts through two years abroad and a final year of dissertation completion and curatorial work at the National Gallery of Art.
Key Information: Graduate department chair nomination and a significant interest in curatorial work are required.
Description
The David E. Finley Fellowship, funded by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, supports doctoral dissertation research on any topic in the history, theory, and criticism of the visual arts. It is administered through the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts, the National Gallery of Art’s research institute. One 36-month fellowship is awarded annually.
The first two years support research and travel outside the United States, with residency abroad expected to visit collections, museums, monuments, and sites relevant to the dissertation. The third year is spent at the Center completing the dissertation and undertaking curatorial work. Part of that year is devoted to National Gallery research projects that complement the dissertation, either at the Gallery or other Washington-area collections.
