Organizer Information
The John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation is a U.S.-based foundation established to support exceptional individuals whose work demonstrates distinguished achievement and strong future potential. Its Fellowship program provides recipients with financial support and the freedom to pursue ambitious projects without requiring university affiliation. The selection process is highly competitive and involves expert reviewers, an interdisciplinary Committee of Selection, and final approval by the Foundation's Board of Trustees.
Title & Description
Guggenheim Fellowship 2027
The Guggenheim Fellowship supports exceptional, mid-career professionals across a broad range of fields, including the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Fellows receive support to pursue a clearly defined project that represents a significant stage in their professional development.
The Foundation emphasizes the applicant's established record of achievement, the significance and feasibility of the proposed project, and the applicant's ability to complete the work at a high level of excellence. Applicants should focus on one well-defined project, rather than presenting multiple unrelated objectives.
A Fellowship period generally allows approximately six to twelve months for the proposed work.
Categories
- Film & Video
- Fine Arts
- Photography
- Drama & Performance Art
- Choreography
- Music Composition
- Writing
- Fiction
- Poetry
- General Nonfiction
- Science Writing
The Fellowship also supports projects in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences.
Eligibility
The 2027 Fellowship is open only to:
- U.S. or Canadian citizens
- U.S. or Canadian permanent residents
- Mid-career professionals with a significant and recognized record of achievement
- Applicants with or without university or institutional affiliations
- Individuals who have not previously received a Guggenheim Fellowship
There is no specific age limit. Students and applicants who have not yet established a substantial professional record are generally not strong candidates.
Two individuals may apply jointly only when they are genuinely equal collaborators on a single co-authored, co-directed, or co-created project. Groups of three or more are not eligible.
Program Benefits & Awards
Successful applicants receive a Guggenheim Fellowship monetary award to support their proposed work. The Fellowship is intended to provide artists, scholars, and other professionals with the freedom to pursue significant projects.
Recipients are announced in late April 2027. The Foundation notes that recent success rates have been approximately 5%, making the Fellowship highly competitive.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 September 2026
- Work Examples Deadline: 29 September 2026
- Reference Letters Deadline: 13 October 2026
- Fellows Announced: Late April 2027
Location
United States / Canada
Additional Details
Applicants should carefully prepare their supporting materials. Documents must be submitted as unsecured PDFs in portrait orientation, using 12-point standard fonts and double spacing. Field-specific work-example requirements vary. For example, Film-Video applicants must submit up to three full-length works, with trailers not accepted; Vimeo, YouTube, and SoundCloud links are accepted, and non-English projects require subtitles.
Applicants should also note that the Foundation requires applicants to attest to the originality of their work. Its application terms include provisions concerning the Foundation's use of submitted materials for archival, promotional, and mission-related purposes.