Are you an emerging scholar eager to advance your career in museum curatorial practice? The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in New York is offering the Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellowship for the 2026–2028 cycle. This fully funded, two-year fellowship provides an exceptional opportunity to gain hands-on curatorial experience while engaging with one of the world’s most distinguished art collections.↚
Unlock a Prestigious Curatorial Career at The Met: Apply for the Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026–2028
Fellowship Overview
- Duration: September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2028
- Annual Salary: $66,300 (before taxes and deductions)
- Research Travel Stipend: $6,000 (reimbursed for travel related to research)
- Benefits: Full health and dental insurance (as provided to full-time Met staff)
- Professional Development: Access to The Met’s collections, libraries, curatorial mentorship, and participation in the Fellowship Program workshops and Research Out Loud presentations
- Application Deadline: Friday, October 17, 2025, 5:00 pm ET
- Notification Date: Last Friday of February 2026
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Available Specializations
For the 2026–2028 cycle, fellowships are offered in the following fields:
- Egyptian Art: Specializing in Egyptology, material culture, and the study of artworks from Egypt’s earliest days to the end of the third millennium BCE.
- Islamic Art: Specializing in Mughal or Persian art history, especially in textiles, carpets, and painting from the early modern period
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, candidates must:
- Hold a PhD in a relevant field by the application deadline.
- Have received their PhD within five years of the application deadline.
- Specialize in either Egyptology (for Egyptian Art fellowship) or Mughal/Persian Art (for Islamic Art fellowship).
- Meet additional language requirements:
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Why Apply?
- Prestigious Institution: Work at The Met, one of the world’s leading museums.
- Professional Growth: Receive mentorship from experienced curators and engage in professional development opportunities.
- Global Network: Connect with scholars and professionals from around the world.
- Impactful Work: Contribute to major exhibitions and gallery re-installations.
Application Procedure
All applications must be submitted online in English. Email or postal submissions will not be accepted. The application must include:
- Statement of Interest (max. 1,000 words): Specify which fellowship you are applying for, your research goals, and relevant experiences.
- Digital Interpretation Statement (max. 500 words): Describe how you would contribute to digital interpretive research models.
- Published Paper or Writing Sample: Submit a scholarly work that demonstrates your research capabilities.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): Provide a detailed CV highlighting your academic and professional achievements.
- Three Letters of Recommendation: At least one academic and one professional. Letters must be uploaded directly by recommenders.
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