Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship 2026

Are you a doctoral student at a Big Ten Academic Alliance university looking for a unique research opportunity? The Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship offers a chance to work with experts at the Smithsonian and advance your dissertation. This fellowship is designed for students who have completed all coursework and are ready to focus on their research.

The Big Ten Academic Alliance is a group of universities that work together to create special chances for students and teachers. This fellowship is one of those chances, connecting talented students with the vast resources of the Smithsonian Institution. It’s a great way to gain experience and make progress on your doctoral studies.

Key Takeaways

• The Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship is for doctoral students at Big Ten universities who have finished all their classes and are ready to write their dissertation.
• Fellows can research many topics at the Smithsonian, including animal behavior, anthropology, earth sciences, history of art, and more.
• Selected fellows receive a $45,000 yearly stipend and up to $5,000 for research expenses.
• Applications are submitted online through the SOLAA system by October 15, 2026, for the 2027 fellowship cycle.

What is the Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship?

This fellowship is for students who are currently enrolled at one of the Big Ten Academic Alliance member universities. To be eligible, you must have finished all your classes and been accepted into the final stage of your doctoral program, which is writing your dissertation. You should have met all requirements except for finishing your thesis by the time the fellowship starts.

The program aims to help these doctoral candidates find mentors at the Smithsonian. These mentors will guide them as they conduct research and study that will help them complete their dissertations. It’s a structured way to get expert advice and use world-class facilities for your academic work.

Research Areas Available

The fellowship allows students to conduct research at the Smithsonian in a variety of fields. You can propose a project in areas such as:

• Animal behavior, ecology, and environmental science, with a special focus on tropical regions.
• Anthropology, which includes archaeology, cultural anthropology, linguistics, and physical anthropology.
• Earth sciences and paleobiology.
• Evolutionary and systematic biology.
• Folklife studies.
• The history of science and technology.
• The history of art, particularly American art, contemporary art, African art, Asian art, 20th-century American crafts, and decorative arts.
• Materials research.
• Molecular biology.
• The social and cultural history of the United States.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will receive financial support to help them focus on their research. The benefits include:

• Stipend: A yearly payment of $45,000.
• Research Allowance: Up to $5,000 each year to cover research-related expenses.

If the fellowship period is less than a full year, the stipend will be adjusted accordingly.

Who Can Apply?

To be considered for the Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship, you must meet these requirements:

• You must be currently studying at a university that is part of the Big Ten Academic Alliance.
• You need to have finished all your coursework and been officially accepted into doctoral candidacy. All requirements for your degree, except for writing your dissertation, must be met by the start date of the fellowship.
• The fellowship is open to both U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens.
• If English is not your first language, you should be able to speak and write English very well. All application documents must be submitted in English.

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted online through the Smithsonian Academic Appointment System, known as SOLAA. The deadline for applications is October 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. When you fill out the application, you will need to select the year 2027 for the fellowship cycle.

You can start your application by visiting the SOLAA system here:
Click here to apply

For more details about the fellowship, you can visit the official page:
Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship

Conclusion

The Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship is an excellent opportunity for doctoral candidates to conduct meaningful research at a world-renowned institution. By meeting the eligibility criteria and submitting a strong application, you can gain valuable experience, receive financial support, and make significant progress toward completing your dissertation. Remember to check the application deadline and submit your materials through the SOLAA system.

Frequently Asked Questions