Predoctoral Dissertation Fellowships

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.

Award Periods: Between September 2027 and August 2030

Types of fellowships

David E. Finley Fellowship

One 36-month fellowship is awarded annually. The first two years of this fellowship are intended for research and travel outside of the United States to visit collections, museums, monuments, and sites related to a dissertation on any topic in the history, theory, and criticism of the visual arts. During this two-year period, residency abroad is expected, for which travel funds are available. The third year is to be spent in residence at the Center to complete the dissertation and to perform curatorial work. Part of the year in residence will be devoted to National Gallery research projects, designed to complement the subject of the dissertation, at the National Gallery or other Washington-area collections. A primary requirement for this fellowship is a significant interest in curatorial work.

Paul Mellon Fellowship

One 36-month fellowship is awarded annually. This fellowship is intended for the advancement and completion of a doctoral dissertation in European art and to enable a candidate to reside abroad for two years to develop expertise in a specific city, locality, or region related to the dissertation. The third year is to be spent in residence at the Center to complete the dissertation.

Samuel H. Kress Fellowship

One 24-month fellowship is awarded annually. This fellowship is intended for the advancement and completion of a doctoral dissertation in European art before the early 19th century. The Kress Fellow is expected to spend the first year on dissertation research abroad, and the second year at the Center to complete the dissertation. Part of the year in residence will be devoted to National Gallery research projects, designed to complement the subject of the dissertation and to provide curatorial experience.

Wyeth Fellowship

One 24-month fellowship is awarded annually. This fellowship is intended for the advancement and completion of a doctoral dissertation that concerns the art of the United States, including Native and pre-Revolutionary America. The Wyeth Fellow is expected to spend the first year on dissertation research in the United States or abroad, and the second year at the Center to complete the dissertation. The Wyeth Foundation for American Art provides publishing grants of up to $5,000 for first-time authors who have held a Wyeth Fellowship.

Ittleson Fellowships

Two fellowships are awarded annually: one for 24 months, the other for 12 months. Both Ittleson Fellowships are intended for the advancement and completion of a doctoral dissertation on a topic other than the art of Europe or the United States. The Twenty-Four-Month Ittleson Fellow is expected to spend the first year on dissertation research abroad, and the second year at the Center to complete the dissertation. The Twelve-Month Ittleson Fellow is expected to spend the fellowship period on dissertation research either within the United States or abroad; there are no residence requirements at the Center.

Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship

One 24-month fellowship is awarded annually. This fellowship is intended for the advancement and completion of a doctoral dissertation on a topic other than the art of Europe or the United States. Cross-cultural topics are encouraged, so long as at least one area of focus explores a culture beyond European and US traditions. The Andrew W. Mellon Fellow is expected to spend the first year on dissertation research abroad, and the second year at the Center to complete the dissertation.

Robert H. and Clarice Smith Fellowship

One 12-month fellowship is awarded annually. This fellowship is intended for the advancement and completion of either a doctoral dissertation or a publication on northern European art from 1400 to 1700. A candidate preparing a publication may have been awarded a PhD as early as fall 2024. The Smith Fellow may use the fellowship to study in the United States or abroad; there are no residence requirements at the Center.

Chester Dale Fellowships

Two fellowships are awarded annually: one for 24 months, the other for 12 months. Both Chester Dale Fellowships are intended for the advancement and completion of a doctoral dissertation on any topic in the history, theory, and criticism of the visual arts. The Twenty-Four-Month Chester Dale Fellow is expected to spend the first year on dissertation research in the United States or abroad, and the second year at the Center to complete the dissertation. The Twelve-Month Chester Dale Fellow may use the fellowship to study in the United States or abroad; there are no residence requirements at the Center.

Nominations

Departments will limit nominations to one candidate for each category of fellowship; each individual may be nominated for one fellowship. Renominations will be accepted on the basis of revised application materials. Interested students should consult with their dissertation advisor and departmental chair to obtain nomination information. Department chairs must submit to the Center one letter of nomination listing all candidates nominated by the department.