James Smithson Fellowship Program

The James Smithson Fellowship Program was created to offer early career opportunities for post-doctoral researchers interested in gaining a better understanding about the interplay between scholarship and public policy through a Smithsonian lens. The fellowship provides an immersive experience that allows fellows to engage with Smithsonian researchers and relevant collections while encouraging them to consider their research within a broader framework, reflecting on its wider significance and potential policy implications. The program is designed for a new generation of leaders, who seek to deepen their disciplinary expertise in an innovative environment. The fellowship provides access to the Smithsonian's facilities, extensive collections, databases, and research experts, enables engagement with diverse perspectives from multiple disciplines, and helps fellows consider the policy implications of their research and gain skills to inform policy conversations. The 2025 fellowship focuses on the theme of Migration, which could encompass everything from the movement of monarch butterflies to the diaspora of humans across time and space. Applicants are encouraged to use migration as a lens to explore a wide range of fields from art, history, culture to science, considering its impact on everything from identities to ecosystems. The fellowship is a 12-month, primarily in-residence program beginning in September 2025, providing a $62,000 stipend plus $5,000 research allowance, with additional allowances for relocation and health insurance.