Lemelson Center Fellowship Program
The Lemelson Center Fellowship Program by the Smithsonian Institution funds research on the history and impact of invention and innovation in American society using Smithsonian resources.
Funder: Smithsonian Institution
Due Dates: October 15, 2026: Full application deadline | October 15, 2026: Reference letters deadline
Funding Amounts: Pre-doctoral: $900/week | Post-doctoral/Professional: $1,140/week | 4–10 weeks maximum
Summary: Supports creative research and projects exploring invention and innovation in American society, with access to Smithsonian resources.
Key Information: Applications and reference letters must be submitted via SOLAA by October 15, 2026 (11:59 PM EST).
Description
The Lemelson Center Fellowship Program, administered by the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History, supports innovative research and creative projects that explore the history and impact of invention and innovation within American society. Projects may include historical research, documentation, exhibitions, educational initiatives, documentary films, or other multimedia products. Fellows gain access to the Smithsonian’s extensive collections, archives, and staff expertise, enabling them to pursue projects that deepen our understanding of how invention shapes culture, technology, and daily life in the United States.
The fellowship particularly encourages proposals that:
- Illuminate inventors or technologies associated with under-represented groups.
- Explore the broader ecosystem supporting inventors (e.g., professional organizations, financiers, incubators, IP attorneys).
- Investigate innovation in sports and sports technologies.
- Examine invention education, educational psychology, or learning theory.
- Explore connections between art, invention, and the human experience.
