Getty Scholars Program

Goal

Background

• Since 1985, the Getty Scholars Program has hosted around 1,300 residential scholars from over fifty countries to conduct research on topics related to the annual theme while residing in Los Angeles. Selected projects have spanned geographical regions and time periods, from ancient to contemporary eras. Getty receives between 300 and 400 applications each year and awards fellowships to about twenty applicants annually.

• A mix of senior scholars and junior fellows are selected for the Scholars Program cohort. The cohort's research projects are focused on an annual theme. The three main grant categories are:

  1. Scholar Grants for established researchers and professionals who have held PhDs for at least 5 years and/or possess strong records of publication and professional activity (5–7 years of experience in their field), at the Getty Center or Getty Villa
  2. Postdoctoral Fellowships for recently granted PhDs at the Getty Center or Getty Villa
  3. Predoctoral Fellowships for PhD candidates at the Getty Center

  Within the annual theme, Getty offers dedicated appointments through its African American Art History Initiative (AAAHI) for scholars who are expanding critical inquiry of African American art and its frameworks. See the sections below for more information about applying. Interested applicants should apply to the appropriate category above based on their degree status.

  The Getty Scholars Program is committed to fostering collaborative research and invites expressions of interest from teams, although each team member must meet eligibility requirements and submit an application individually.

  As a related offering at Getty, the Conservation Guest Scholars Program provides opportunities for established scholars and professionals who have attained distinction in the cultural heritage conservation field. Additionally, under the Classical World in Context Initiative, the Getty Scholars Program at the Villa contributes to the understanding and preservation of cultural heritage through advanced research on the arts and cultures of antiquity. Scholars affiliated with all of these programs live in the same complex and participate in many shared activities and lectures while in residence. The three parallel programs provide ample opportunities for exchange and collaboration. Applications for the Conservation and Villa programs are made separately.

  This page provides information about Scholar Grants for established researchers and professionals residing at the Getty Center.

Applicants for 2027–2028 (Paused)

• Due to the temporary closure of the Getty Center from March 15, 2027 through spring 2028 and the impact of the major modernization efforts that are planned during that period, the Getty Research Institute Scholars Program will not accept applications for the 2027–2028 academic year. This period of pause provides an opportunity to evaluate the program’s successes over the past 40 years and to plan for the next chapter in supporting the global scholarly community following the Center's 2028 reopening.

  While the Research Institute will be pausing its scholar application process, the Getty Villa and Getty Conservation Institute will continue to accept applications for residential scholars in 2027–2028. For more information on those funding opportunities, visit the Residential Grants page.

Grant Details

• Scholar Grant applicants should have received a PhD before September 1, 2022. Applicants from associated fields who do not hold a PhD but have commensurate professional experience (5–7 years in their field) will also be considered.

  Applicants who received their doctoral degree after September 1, 2022 should apply for a Postdoctoral Fellowship.

  After a waiting period of 6 years, previous Getty Residential Grant recipients in any category are eligible to reapply for another grant in whichever category they are eligible for and interested in. See FAQs for more information.

  The Getty Scholars Program is committed to fostering collaborative research and invites expressions of interest from teams, although each team member must meet eligibility requirements and submit an application individually.

• Scholar Grant recipients at the Getty Center may be in residence from three to nine months and receive varying stipends as detailed below:

  • Three-month residency: September–December/January–March; $21,500 stipend
  • Six-month residency: September–March/January–June; $43,000 stipend
  • Nine-month residency: September–June; $65,000 stipend

  The grant also includes a workstation at the Getty Research Institute or Getty Villa, research assistance, a travel stipend for your relocation to Los Angeles, an apartment in the Getty scholar housing complex, and an available healthcare option. These terms apply as of July 2024 and are subject to future changes.

  See the overview of the Getty Residential Scholar and Fellow Program for further details about stipends, housing, healthcare, and more.

Application Process

• Temporarily closed

• The project proposal should not exceed 5 pages typed and double-spaced and must be in English. The proposal should include:

  1. Project description
  2. How the project addresses the annual theme
  3. How the project meaningfully contributes to the applicant’s field of scholarship
  4. Proposed plan for study and research
  5. Benefits to the project from the resources at the Getty (if applicable)
  6. For AAAHI Grants: also include how the project will generate new knowledge in the field of African American art history

• The curriculum vitae (CV) is a record of all your professional activities. This document should preferably be in English.

• Applicants are welcome to submit a single writing sample in support of their proposal. It should not exceed 20 double-spaced pages in length and must be in English. Both published and unpublished works are acceptable.

Review Process

• Getty Scholar Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Applications as a whole are evaluated based on the following criteria:

  1. Overall quality of the application, including its adherence to the annual theme
  2. How the project would contribute to the advancement of the applicant’s field of scholarship
  3. Applicant's past achievements
  4. Applicant's qualifications to undertake the project

  Letters of reference are not required for the Scholar Grant application.

• Applicants will be notified of their application outcome approximately 6 months after the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Database

  Online Grants Database