A. W. Mellon and Beinecke Postdoctoral Fellowships

About this call

The Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts at the National Gallery of Art offers the A. W. Mellon and Beinecke Postdoctoral Fellowships, two-year residential appointments supporting research and writing for publication. The two fellowships commence in alternating years. In the first year the fellow designs and directs an intensive weeklong seminar for the Center's predoctoral fellows, focused on a topic in their field with an emphasis on methodology. In the second year the fellow teaches a course at a neighbouring university. Fellows receive an office in the National Gallery's East Building and have access to the Gallery's library and art collection as well as the wider resources of Washington, and take part in the Center's lectures and colloquia. The fellowships support research in the history, theory and criticism of the visual arts of any period or geographical area, and applications in understudied areas are particularly encouraged.

Who can apply

• International applicants
• Medium: Writing / Curatorial
• Free entry
• Applicants must have received a PhD within the last five years, meaning between 15 October 2021 and 15 October 2026. Individuals may not apply for other Center fellowships while an application is pending or once a fellowship has been awarded, and anyone currently affiliated with the National Gallery is not eligible. Fellowships are awarded without regard to age or nationality and may not be postponed or renewed. A complete application includes a proposal of two to four double-spaced pages, a proposed topic for a predoctoral seminar, a proposed topic for a university course, a copy of an article or book chapter, and three letters of recommendation. Applications are due 15 October 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Shortlisted candidates are invited to Washington for interviews in January 2027, and the award period runs September 2027 to August 2029.