How to Apply
Applications for the 2023–2024 Met Fellowship Program have closed. Information for the next application cycle (2024–2025) will be available in September 2023.
All applications must be submitted online and in English. Academic and Professional Programs will not accept applications or related materials via email, postal mail, or in person.
Materials Required for All Applications
The following materials must be included with all applications (as .doc or .pdf files):
- Curriculum vitae of education, professional experience, honors, awards, and publications
- Three letters of recommendation, at least one academic and one professional, uploaded directly by the recommenders, none of whom may be current Met staff. Recommenders are encouraged to submit their letters in English.
- Project proposal or statement (see instructions for specific fellowships below)
- Official transcripts (undergraduate and graduate)—for predoctoral (junior) fellowship applicants only
Please read Program-Specific Application Requirements below. Depending on the category of fellowship for which you are applying, additional materials may be required.
For more information about the application process, please read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. If your question is not answered there, please contact us at Academic.Programs@metmuseum.org.
All applicants will be notified by the last Friday in February following the application deadline.
Program-Specific Application Requirements
In addition to the CV, official transcripts (junior applicants only), and three letters of recommendation, please also include:
- A project proposal, not to exceed 1,000 words, specifying why The Met is uniquely suited to your fellowship objectives, what you wish to accomplish during the fellowship period, and how you can utilize the Museum's resources and collections to achieve your goals
- A brief schedule of work to be accomplished during the fellowship period (separate from project proposal)
- A brief schedule of travel required (maximum of six weeks) during the fellowship period
Due to limited resources and staff time in the Department of Scientific Research and the conservation departments, some proposed scientific analysis or conservation work components may not be able to be accommodated.
View an overview of the application (PDF).
In addition to the CV, official transcripts, and three letters of recommendation, junior fellowship applicants must also include:
- A statement of interest and intent, not to exceed 1,000 words, describing why The Met is uniquely suited to your fellowship objectives, what you expect to accomplish during the fellowship period, and how you will utilize the Museum's resources and collections to achieve your goal.
In addition to the CV and three letters of recommendation, senior fellowship applicants must include:
- A project proposal, not to exceed 1,000 words, describing why The Met is uniquely suited to your fellowship objectives, what you expect to accomplish during the fellowship period, and how you will utilize the Museum's resources and collections to achieve your objectives
- A brief schedule of work to be accomplished during the fellowship period and, if you are proposing a fellowship period shorter than one year, your proposed starting and ending dates (separate from project proposal)
In addition to the CV, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and statement or project proposal, Paper Conservation applicants (junior or senior) must include:
- Two treatment reports and associated documentation with explanations justifying the reason for treatment and decisions entering each stage of treatment (not to exceed 750 words per object)
View an overview of the application (PDF).
In addition to the CV, official transcripts (predoctoral applicants only), and three letters of recommendation, please also submit:
- A research proposal, not to exceed 1,000 words: Please describe your research rationale or arguments, the focus of your project, and what you wish to accomplish during the fellowship. You may wish to include discussion of the research methods of your project, including how the project will benefit from the resources of the Lauder Research Center at The Met (e.g., its departments, collection, and libraries).
- A critical bibliographic statement, not to exceed 500 words. It should describe the key literature (the state of the field and/or interpretive frameworks) that forms the context for your proposal or planned research. It should also demonstrate how your contribution is original or develops a new perspective.
- A personal statement, not to exceed 500 words. This is an opportunity for you to share information about you and your work that cannot be learned from a school transcript or CV.
- A brief schedule of work to be accomplished during the fellowship period. (Applicants for postdoctoral fellowships should indicate whether they are applying for a one- or two-year period.)
- A brief schedule of travel for research visits (maximum of six weeks) during the fellowship period. Note that if you do not need to travel to complete the research for your project, it will not negatively affect the assessment of your application.
View an overview of the application (PDF).
This fellowship is offered every other year. The next application deadline will be in November 2023 (for the 2024–2026 fellowship program).
In addition to the CV, official transcripts (junior applicants only), and three letters of recommendation, please also include:
- A cover letter addressing your interest in the fellowship position
- A statement, not to exceed 1,000 words, specifying your areas of research and their relationship to the Museum’s collection and activities. Include relevant experiences related to your chosen curatorial project area.
- A copy of a published paper or recent writing sample
Finalists for the Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellowship will be called for an interview. Please note: Applicants may apply for a History of Art and Visual Culture Fellowship as well as a Eugene V. Thaw Fellowship for Collections Cataloguing in the same application cycle.
View an overview of the application (PDF).
In addition to the CV, official transcripts, and three letters of recommendation, please also include:
- A statement of interest, not to exceed 1,000 words, specifying your areas of research and their relationship to the European Paintings collection and activities. Include relevant experiences related to your chosen curatorial area
- A copy of a published paper or recent writing sample, not to exceed 5,000 words
Finalists for the Eugene V. Thaw Fellowship for Collections Cataloguing will be called for an interview.
Please note: Applicants may apply for a History of Art and Visual Culture Fellowship as well as an Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellowship in the same application cycle.
This fellowship is offered every other year. The next application deadline is November 2023 (for the 2024–2026 fellowship program).
In addition to the CV, official transcripts (junior applicants only), and three letters of recommendation, please also include:
- A project proposal, not to exceed 1,000 words, specifying why The Met is uniquely suited to your fellowship objectives, what you expect to accomplish during the fellowship period, and how you can utilize the Museum's resources and collections to achieve your objectives
- A brief schedule of work to be accomplished during the fellowship period (separate from project proposal)
View an overview of the application (PDF).
In addition to the CV/resume, official transcripts (junior applicants only), and three letters of recommendation, please also include:
- A statement of interest and project proposal, not to exceed 1,000 words, which addresses the following questions: 1) Why is this fellowship important or integral to your career or current practice? 2) How will you utilize the Museum's resources and collections to achieve your objectives? 3) What will be the concrete result(s) of your fellowship project?
- A brief schedule of work to be accomplished during the fellowship period (separate from project proposal)
- A brief schedule of travel required (maximum of six weeks) during the fellowship period
View an overview of the application (PDF).
Learn more about the Indian Conservation Fellowship Program.