Applications open for The Met Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellowship 2026–2028 in New York

Applications open for The Met Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellowship 2026–2028 in New York

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), New York, is inviting applications for the Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellowship 2026–2028. This prestigious program offers early-career scholars advanced training in museum curatorial practice while working with one of the world’s most renowned art collections.

The fellowship provides a fully funded opportunity for postdoctoral researchers specializing in Islamic Art or Egyptian Art, with the aim of fostering curatorial expertise and advancing art historical research.

Degree Level

Fellowship Fields

For the 2026–2028 cycle, the fellowship is offered in the following specializations:

Egyptian Art

• Focus: Egyptology, material culture, and artworks from Egypt’s earliest history to the end of the third millennium BCE.

• Additional Requirement: Proficiency in German and French.

Islamic Art

• Focus: Mughal or Persian art history, with a particular emphasis on textiles, carpets, and early modern painting.

• Additional Requirement: Reading knowledge of Persian and Devanagari; familiarity with Mughal connoisseurship.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will receive:

• Annual Salary: $66,300 (pre-tax)

• Research Travel Stipend: $6,000 (for research-related travel expenses)

• Full Benefits Package: Including health and dental insurance (equivalent to full-time Met staff)

• Professional Development Opportunities: Access to The Met’s collections, libraries, curatorial mentorship, fellowship workshops, and Research Out Loud presentations

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a PhD in a relevant field by the application deadline.

• PhD must have been awarded within five years of the deadline.

• Specialization must align with either Egyptology (Egyptian Art) or Mughal/Persian Art (Islamic Art).

• Additional language requirements as outlined above.

• Must have valid US work authorization for the fellowship period (September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2028).

Eligible Nationalities

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted online in English. Submissions via email or post will not be accepted. Required documents include:

1. Statement of Interest (max. 1,000 words): Indicate which fellowship you are applying for, outlining your research goals and relevant experience.

2. Digital Interpretation Statement (max. 500 words): Explain how you would contribute to digital interpretive research models.

3. Published Paper or Writing Sample.

4. Curriculum Vitae (CV).

5. Three Letters of Recommendation: At least one academic and one professional. Letters must be uploaded directly by recommenders.

6. For more Details visit The Met USA Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellowship

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: October 17, 2025 (5:00 PM ET)

• Notification Date: Last Friday of February 2026

• Fellowship Duration: September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2028

FAQs about The Met Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellowship

1. What is the Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellowship?
It is a fully funded fellowship at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, designed to provide postdoctoral scholars with curatorial training and research opportunities in Islamic or Egyptian Art.

2. Who can apply for the fellowship?
Applicants worldwide with a PhD awarded within five years of the deadline in a relevant field may apply, provided they can obtain US work authorization.

3. Which fields of study are supported?
The fellowship focuses on Egyptian Art (Egyptology, early material culture) and Islamic Art (Mughal or Persian art history, textiles, carpets, painting).

4. What is the duration of the fellowship?
The fellowship runs for two years, from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2028.

5. Is the fellowship fully funded?
Yes, it provides an annual salary of $66,300, a $6,000 travel stipend, health benefits, and professional development opportunities.

6. What languages are required?

7. Can international students apply?
Yes, the fellowship is open to all nationalities, but applicants must secure US work authorization.

8. What documents are required for the application?
Applicants must submit a statement of interest, digital interpretation statement, published work sample, CV, and three letters of recommendation.

9. How are applicants selected?
Selection is based on academic excellence, research potential, relevance of specialization, and ability to contribute to curatorial practice at The Met.

10. When will results be announced?
Notifications will be sent in February 2026.