Description
Predoctoral dissertation fellowships support graduate research in the history, theory, and criticism of the visual arts. Each of the following 10 fellowships has specific requirements and intents, and most fellowships include a one-year residency at the Center. All predoctoral fellowships support the completion of a doctoral dissertation as well as research travel.
Requirments
- Applicants must be nominated by the chair of a graduate department.
- To be eligible, the nominee must have advanced to candidacy for the doctorate before the application deadline.
- Candidates must be either US citizens or enrolled in a university in the United States.
- The Center has no foreign language requirements. However, applicants should list foreign language proficiencies related to their dissertation research.
- All predoctoral dissertation fellowships begin on September 1, 2026.
- Predoctoral fellowships may not be postponed or renewed.
Application Instructions
A complete application includes:
- a dissertation proposal
- a publication list
- a brief writing sample
- an autobiography
- a critical bibliographic essay
- a summary of research to date
- a research schedule
- official transcripts from all academic institutions
- two letters of support from individuals who have directed the applicant’s work (one may be from outside the department)
After a preliminary selection, several candidates for each fellowship will be invited to interview in early February 2026.
Applications are due on November 15, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
