Organizer Information
The Leonard A. Lauder Research Center for Modern Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in New York is a research center dedicated to scholarship on modern art within an encyclopedic museum environment. The Center supports focused academic research and provides fellows with access to The Met’s collections, libraries, scholarly community, and research activities.
Title & Description
Leonard A. Lauder Fellowships in Modern Art
The Leonard A. Lauder Fellowships in Modern Art support scholars undertaking independent research projects in the history and theory of modern art. The program offers three residential fellowship categories: a two-year Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, a one- or two-year Post-Doctoral Fellowship, and a one-year Mid-Career Fellowship. Fellows devote their time to research and writing while participating in the intellectual life of the Research Center.
Projects may address modern art broadly, including architecture, drawing, design, film, painting, performance, photography, prints, sculpture, and textiles. The eligible period generally extends from the last third of the nineteenth century through the 1960s, encompassing research from any country, region, or culture. Projects do not have to focus on The Met’s collection or on Cubism.
Categories
- Art History
- Visual Art
- Architecture
- Design
- Film
- Painting
- Performance
- Photography
- Sculpture
- Prints
- Textiles
- Humanities Research
Eligibility
The fellowship is international and accepts scholars from accredited universities worldwide. Pre-Doctoral applicants must currently be enrolled in a PhD program and pursuing a doctoral dissertation. Post-Doctoral applicants should normally have received their PhD within seven years of the fellowship start date. Mid-Career applicants should be established scholars with a publication record appropriate to their career stage.
Applicants may come from art history or other humanities disciplines, including history, anthropology, philosophy, and comparative literature, provided their research focuses on the visual arts. Non-US citizens and permanent residents may apply if they have or can obtain appropriate US work authorization.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Pre-Doctoral Fellowship: $50,000 stipend
- Post-Doctoral Fellowship: $60,000 stipend
- Mid-Career Fellowship: $70,000 stipend
- Travel: Up to $6,000 travel stipend during the fellowship, at the Museum’s discretion
- Health Insurance: Additional monthly payment toward health-insurance costs
- Access to the Research Center and scholarly resources at The Met
- Writing workshops, works-in-progress sessions, and gallery walks
- Opportunities for scholarly exchange and public presentations
- Mid-Career Fellows provide mentorship to Pre- and Post-Doctoral Fellows and deliver a public lecture
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
- Pre-Doctoral Fellowship: September 1, 2027–August 31, 2029
- Post-Doctoral Fellowship: September 1, 2027–August 31, 2028, or August 31, 2029, depending on the selected duration
- Mid-Career Fellowship: September 1, 2027–August 31, 2028
Location
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York, United States
Additional Details
All application materials must be submitted in English. Applications are assessed by the Research Center’s Advisory Committee based on the quality of the proposal, academic achievement, knowledge of relevant literature, recommendation letters, contribution to modern art scholarship, feasibility, and potential contribution to the Research Center’s scholarly community.
The program is highly competitive, with approximately 10% of applicants selected in a typical year. Unsuccessful applicants do not receive individual feedback but may apply on one further occasion.
Applicants should note that the Leonard A. Lauder Fellowship is specifically a research fellowship for scholars, rather than an artist residency or production grant. Projects must have a substantial scholarly focus on modern art.