Are you a doctoral candidate or recent PhD graduate in art history, visual studies, or related disciplines? If your research aligns with the topic of provenance and you envision conducting your study in a dynamic academic environment, the Getty Pre and Postdoctoral Fellowships for the 2026 to 2027 cycle could provide the perfect opportunity.
Each year, the Getty Research Institute in Los Angeles hosts emerging scholars from around the globe, immersing them in residencies at either the Getty Center or Getty Villa. Fellows receive financial support, access to world-class resources, and the chance to join a scholarly community dedicated to reshaping art history research.
Opportunities Provided by the Fellowship in Art History or Visual Culture Studies
The Getty fellowships are designed to support PhD candidates (predoctoral) and recent doctoral graduates (postdoctoral) working on projects related to the Scholars Program’s annual theme, which for 2026–2027 is “Provenance.” Provenance research explores the movement, ownership history, and ethical dimensions of artworks and cultural objects (such as restitution or collecting practices)
Those examining African American art in relation to this theme may qualify for special grants under the African American Art History Initiative (AAAHI), aimed at promoting scholarship in that field
Residency Details & Benefits
- The fellowship runs for a total of nine months, usually beginning in late September and concluding in late June.
- Residency Site: Predoctoral fellows are based at the Getty Center. Postdoctoral fellows may choose the Getty Center or Getty Villa
- Financial Support:
- $30,000 stipend for predoctoral fellows
- $35,000 stipend for postdoctoral fellows
- Additional support includes:
- Workspace in the Getty Research Institute or Villa
- Scholar housing on Getty campus
- Travel allowance
- Health care options (subject to terms effective July 2024)
Who Is Eligible
Predoctoral Fellowship:
- Applicants are required to have achieved doctoral candidacy status prior to the submission deadline.
- Should complete their dissertation during the fellowship period
Postdoctoral Fellowship:
- Eligible candidates for this fellowship must have obtained their PhD within the past five years, specifically after September 1, 2021.
Not eligible:
- Candidates who earned their PhD prior to September 1, 2021 should apply for a Scholar Grant instead
- Those who received a Getty residential grant within the prior six years must wait before reapplying
Theme: Provenance
For the 2026–2027 cycle, the Getty Scholars Program centers on the theme of provenance, encompassing questions of ownership, displacement, collecting, artistic migration, and market histories. The theme invites critical perspectives across all periods and geographies, including digital approaches like computational provenance studies
Archaeological, museum, art market, and social justice angles are all within scope. Scholars are encouraged to propose work that addresses urgent issues such as restitution, colonial collecting practices, or evolving ethical frameworks for archives and cultural property.
What Makes a Strong Application
The Getty Fellowships are highly competitive and selections are made based on how well an applicant’s research corresponds with the year’s theme and the clarity of their scholarly objectives.
- The degree to which the research aligns with the annual focus and demonstrates a clear, well-defined academic purpose
- Originality and field contribution
- Clarity and quality of writing
- Academic and research record (e.g., publications, awards)
- Potential for scholarly growth in the Getty environment
Application Guidelines
Required Documents:
- Project Proposal (no longer than five double-spaced pages) explaining:
- Research topic and relevance
- Fit with the theme
- Research plan
- Benefit from Getty’s resources
- For AAAHI applicants, describe contributions to African American art history
- Writing Sample (up to 25 pages, a sample of dissertation or equivalent)
- Dissertation Abstract or Two-Page Summary, including bibliography
- Curriculum Vitae
- Confirmation of Candidacy or Degree:
- Predocs: institution must confirm doctoral candidacy
- Postdocs: confirmation of PhD completion
- Two Confidential References submitted via application portal
Timeline:
- Applications open July 1, 2025
- Deadline October 1, 2025 (5 pm PT)
What You’ll Experience
As a Fellow, you will:
- Work in Getty’s archives, library, and collections
- Attend weekly seminars and lecture series
- Connect with curators, historians, and visiting scholars
- Join an interdisciplinary cohort of peers from over 50 countries
- Prepare and present final work during Getty colloquia or publications
The program provides space, mentorship, and intellectual community to advance your scholarship and career.
Why It Matters
Since 1985, Getty Scholar programs have supported over 1,300 fellows from across the globe, fostering innovation in visual studies and art history. It remains one of the few fully supported residencies where early-career scholars can develop cutting-edge research related to clarifying art and cultural history at a world-class institution
By participating, you will gain visibility, enhance your academic credentials, and become part of a permanent network of Getty-affiliated researchers.
Final Thoughts
If your research addresses the provenance and ethical dimensions of visual objects, artworks, collections, or cultural heritage, this fellowship offers the ideal environment to expand your work. With its rich resources, community support, and financial backing, the Getty Pre‑ and Postdoctoral Fellowships are unmatched in their capacity to launch scholars into influential careers in academia, museums, or cultural policy.
Start planning your application now. Engage deeply with the theme, craft a compelling proposal, and position your scholarship to join one of the Getty’s most promising fellowship cohorts for 2026–2027.
