About
The Oak Spring Garden Foundation is an operating foundation dedicated to sharing the gifts and ideas of Rachel "Bunny" Mellon. Its mission is to support and inspire fresh thinking and bold action on the history and future of plants, including the art and culture of plants, gardens and landscapes. OSGF offers fellowships, residencies, sabbatical awards, short courses, and educational programs, while maintaining a library collection and historic gardens at their Upperville, Virginia campus.
Funding Opportunities
Plant Conservation Biology Fellowship
The Plant Conservation Biology Fellowship is awarded annually to one outstanding, early-career practitioner, scholar or scientist working on issues related to plant and landscape conservation in the broad sense. The goal is to provide advanced graduate students, post-docs, and beginning faculty with an extended stay of 2-5 weeks on the Oak Spring estate to undertake independent writing and thinking, away from the day-to-day demands of their other responsibilities. This is one of OSGF's four most prestigious awards and includes a $10,000 individual grant. While at OSGF, the fellow will be able to meet with staff, explore the 700-acre landscape and efforts in sustainable land management, and visit the rare book library that holds over 19,000 objects, including many examples of botanical art. The Fellowship is well suited for individuals working on writing projects that require dedicated time and minimal distractions. OSGF intends to award the Fellowship to an exceptional plant conservation biologist whose research shows remarkable promise to contribute to the conservation of plants and the landscapes of which they are a part. The Fellow will be scheduled to visit when there are other Interdisciplinary Residents or Fellows on site, allowing opportunities to join in communal meals, optional activities and field trips with other artists, ecologists, researchers, or scholars working on projects related to OSGF's mission.
Stacy Lloyd III Fellowship for Bibliographic Study
The Stacy Lloyd III Fellowship for Bibliographic Study is awarded annually to one outstanding early-career scholar, working in some area related to the history, art, and culture of plants, gardens and landscapes. This is Oak Spring Garden Foundation's most prestigious award for early career researchers and scholars in the humanities. The award includes a $10,000 individual grant and requires a 2-5 week stay at Oak Spring. While at OSGF, the Fellow will be able to meet with staff, explore the 700-acre landscape and sustainable land management efforts, and visit the rare book library that holds over 19,000 objects, including many examples of botanical art. The Fellowship is well suited for individuals working on dissertations, or writing projects that require dedicated time and minimal distractions. OSGF intends to award the Fellowship to an exceptional researcher who is developing a new body of research that would especially benefit from access to Oak Spring's library. The Fellow will be scheduled to visit when there are other Interdisciplinary Residents or Fellows on-site, allowing the Fellow to join in communal meals, optional activities and field trips with other artists, ecologists, researchers, or scholars working on projects related to OSGF's mission.
Eliza Moore Fellowship for Artistic Excellence
The Eliza Moore Fellowship for Artistic Excellence is awarded annually to one outstanding, early-career artist who is developing new works that address plants, gardens, or landscapes in the broad sense. This award is open to visual artists, literary artists, dancers, and musicians. The award includes a $10,000 individual grant and requires a 2-5 week stay at Oak Spring. While at OSGF, the Fellow will be able to meet with staff, explore the 700-acre landscape and sustainable land management efforts, and visit the rare book library that holds over 19,000 objects, including many examples of botanical art. OSGF intends to award the Fellowship to an exceptional artist whose works show remarkable promise to contribute to a deeper understanding of the natural world, and humankind's place in it. The Fellow will be scheduled to visit when there are other Interdisciplinary Residents or Fellows on-site, allowing participation in communal meals, optional activities and field trips with other artists, ecologists, researchers, or scholars working on projects related to OSGF's mission. At the culmination of their stay, Fellows are encouraged, but not required, to give a 20-30 minute presentation to Oak Spring staff and other program participants. Fellows are carefully selected through a multi-round review process in which OSGF staff, residency alumni, and external jurors review and score applications. The primary criteria for scoring applicants include: an applicant's current work's relationship to the OSGF mission, potential of applicant, and quality of work samples. The selected Fellow will be housed in nicely appointed shared accommodations with a private bedroom and bathroom, and share a living room and kitchen with 1-3 other Residents or Fellows. The $10,000 individual grant can be put towards travel to and from OSGF, materials and supplies purchased for the residency, and other items that will support the Fellow's work before or after their stay. Oak Spring will arrange ground transportation from Dulles International Airport to the estate in Upperville, Virginia.
Oak Spring Fellowship for Distinction in Fine Crafts and Design
In 2027, Oak Spring will award its inaugural Fine Crafts and Design Fellowship to an early-career craftsperson or designer whose work demonstrates exceptional skill, artistic vision, and meaningful engagement with the natural world. This fellowship celebrates the intersection where form meets function, while honoring the aesthetics, material integrity, and craftsmanship at the heart of fine craft and design. The fellowship is generously supported by Tiffany & Co. in honor of their lasting association with Mrs. Mellon and especially with the jewelry designer Jean Schlumberger. The fellowship honors the legacy of founder Rachel "Bunny" Mellon – an avid gardener, patron, and collector – whose discerning eye and deep appreciation for exquisite design are reflected in her collaborations with artists such as Jean Schlumberger, Hubert de Givenchy, Cristóbal Balenciaga, and Diego Giacometti. Ideal applicants will demonstrate a commitment to material exploration, sustainability, and/or reimagining traditional techniques in innovative ways. The selected Fellow will receive a $10,000 grant and a 2–5 week residency at Oak Spring Garden Foundation in northern Virginia. The residency is intended to support time for studio practice, research, and reflection in a setting rich in inspiring natural beauty and vibrant cultural history. The Fellow will reside alongside other interdisciplinary residents and fellows, with opportunities to share meals, explore Oak Spring's gardens and collections, and engage with staff and peers across disciplines. The fellowship welcomes applicants working in a range of materials-based practices, including fiber and textiles, wearable design, metalworking, jewelry, woodworking, furniture design, basketry, glass, ceramics, decorative arts, and paper and book arts.
Plant Science Research Fellowship
The Plant Science Research Fellowship is awarded annually to one outstanding, early-career plant scientist, with preference given to scientists working in organismal plant biology. The goal is to provide advanced graduate students, post-docs, and beginning faculty with an extended stay of 2-5 weeks on the Oak Spring estate to undertake independent writing and thinking, away from the day-to-day demands of their other responsibilities. This is one of Oak Spring Garden Foundation's four most prestigious awards and includes a $10,000 individual grant. While at OSGF, the Fellow will be able to meet with staff, explore the 700-acre landscape and efforts in sustainable land management, and visit the rare book library that holds over 19,000 objects, including many examples of botanical art. The Fellowship is well suited for individuals working on dissertations or writing projects that require dedicated time in a supportive community with minimal distractions. The Fellow will be scheduled to visit when there are other Interdisciplinary Residents or Fellows on-site, allowing them to join in communal meals and optional activities with other artists, ecologists, researchers, or scholars working on projects related to OSGF's mission. Fellows are encouraged, but not required, to give a 20-30 minute presentation at the culmination of their stay to Oak Spring staff and other program participants who might be on site. The Fellow will be housed in nicely appointed shared accommodations with a private bedroom and bathroom, sharing a living room and kitchen with 1-3 other Residents or Fellows. Transportation is arranged from Dulles International Airport to the estate in Upperville, Virginia.
At a Glance
- Total Funding Opportunities
- 5
- Active Now
- 5
- Source Domain
- osgf.org
Catalog Data
This funder profile was automatically extracted from grant listings. Information may be incomplete.
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