Organizer Information
The Leonard A. Lauder Research Center for Modern Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) is a specialized research center dedicated to scholarship on modern art. Located within one of the world’s leading encyclopedic museums, the Research Center supports scholars undertaking focused research projects and contributes to the study and understanding of modern art across different cultures and disciplines.
Each year, the Center offers four fellowship opportunities: a two-year Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, a one- or two-year Post-Doctoral Fellowship, a one-year Mid-Career Fellowship, and a one-year Non-Residential Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowship.
Title & Description
Leonard A. Lauder Fellowships in Modern Art
The Leonard A. Lauder Fellowships in Modern Art support scholars conducting focused research on modern art while contributing to the scholarly community of The Met and its Research Center.
Applicants may pursue research in art history or other humanities disciplines—including history, anthropology, philosophy, and comparative literature—provided that their projects focus on the visual arts. Eligible research areas include architecture, drawing, design, film, painting, performance, photography, prints, and sculpture.
The fellowship defines modern art as work produced from the last third of the nineteenth century through the 1960s, from any country, region, or culture.
Categories
- Art History
- Visual Arts
- Architecture
- Design
- Film
- Painting
- Performance
- Photography
- Prints
- Sculpture
- Humanities Research
Eligibility
The fellowships are open to scholars from accredited universities internationally.
- Pre-Doctoral: Current PhD students pursuing a doctoral dissertation.
- Post-Doctoral: Scholars who received their PhD within the previous seven years.
- Mid-Career: Established scholars with a publication record appropriate to their career stage.
- Projects must focus on modern art.
- International applicants are eligible, subject to applicable U.S. work authorization or visa requirements.
- Applicants cannot apply for both the Pre-Doctoral and Non-Residential Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowships in the same year.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Pre-Doctoral: $50,000 stipend
- Post-Doctoral: $60,000 stipend
- Mid-Career: $70,000 stipend
- Travel stipend: Up to $6,000 during the fellowship period, at the Museum’s discretion
- Health insurance: Additional monthly payment toward health insurance costs
Fellows also participate in writing workshops, works-in-progress sessions, gallery walks, and research activities. Pre- and Post-Doctoral Fellows may participate in Research Out Loud, while the Mid-Career Fellow mentors other fellows and gives a public lecture. Fellows also contribute to the Modern Art Index Project.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 October 2026
- Notification: By the end of January following the application deadline.
- Fellowship Period:
- Pre-Doctoral: September 1, 2027 – August 31, 2029
- Post-Doctoral: September 1, 2027 – August 31, 2028 or August 31, 2029
- Mid-Career: September 1, 2027 – August 31, 2028
Location
New York City, United States
Additional Details
Applications are evaluated by the Research Center’s Advisory Committee based on the quality of the proposal, academic achievement, knowledge of relevant literature, recommendations, contribution to the understanding of modern art, feasibility, and potential contribution to the Research Center’s scholarly community. Unsuccessful applicants do not receive individual feedback but may apply once more.