Visiting Senior Fellowships

Application Deadline: March 21, 2026 (5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time)
Award Period: September 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027

Stipends and Housing
Paul Mellon and Beinecke Visiting Senior Fellows receive $7,000 or $8,000, depending upon relocation requirements.
Leonard A. Lauder Visiting Senior Fellows receive up to $12,500, which includes a supplement of $2,500 to support future research and publication expenses.
Visiting senior fellows receive an office in the National Gallery’s East Building as well as housing, as available.

Overview

Visiting senior fellowships provide scholars with two-month appointments to conduct full-time research in residence at the Center. Fellows receive an office in the National Gallery’s East Building as well as housing, subject to availability. They have access to the notable resources of the National Gallery, including its library and art collection, as well as those of greater Washington. Fellows participate in lectures, colloquia, and discussions with the Center’s vibrant community of scholars.

The Center awards up to two Leonard A. Lauder Visiting Senior Fellowships and up to five Paul Mellon and Beinecke Visiting Senior Fellowships for the current award period.

Applications are accepted for the next cycle, beginning in September 2026, until March 21.

Fields of Study

Paul Mellon Visiting Senior Fellowships, Beinecke Visiting Senior Fellowships, and Leonard A. Lauder Visiting Senior Fellowships support research in the history, theory, and criticism of the visual arts of any period or geographical area.

For the Leonard A. Lauder Visiting Senior Fellowship, applications that contribute to scholarship in understudied areas are especially encouraged.

Applications are welcomed from scholars in any discipline whose work examines art or artifacts or has implications for the analysis, interpretation, and criticism of visual art or visual culture.

Qualifications

Visiting senior fellowships are intended for those who have held a PhD for five years or more by the application’s deadline, or who possess an equivalent record of professional accomplishment.
Individuals may not apply for other Center fellowships while an application is pending or once a fellowship has been awarded.
Individuals currently affiliated with the National Gallery are not eligible for visiting senior fellowships.
Visiting senior fellows may reapply three years after the completion of their fellowship.

Selection

Visiting senior fellowships are awarded without regard to age or nationality.
Applications are reviewed by an external selection committee composed of scholars in the history of art and related disciplines.
Outside readers may assist in the evaluation of proposals.
Visiting senior fellowships may not be postponed or renewed.

Applications

A complete application includes:

• A proposal of two to four double-spaced pages
• A copy of one publication, either an article or book chapter
• Two letters of recommendation

Applications are due on March 21, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.