The Audrey Flack Short Term Fellowship Instructions for Application Materials

  • Apply Through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA) 
     

  • Application Materials (for upload): 

  • The SOLAA application will allow you to upload the following files types (there is a 3MB limit and only the following types of documents are supported: .bmp, .doc, .docx, .gif, .jpeg, .jpg, .pdf, .png, .rtf, .tif, .tiff, .txt, .xls, and .xlsx): 


  • Research Proposal 

  • The full statement of your research you plan to undertake at the Smithsonian.  
  • No more than 6 pages, double spaced (excluding all other parts of the application, such as the abstract and bibliography but including images, table etc.), Paper size should be 8.5 by 11 inches (210 mm x 297 mm), with 1" margins, and do not use type smaller than 11 point. 


  • In preparing your proposal, be sure to provide and address the following: 

  • A description of the research you plan to undertake at the Smithsonian, including the methodology to be utilized and a proposed chapter breakdown.
  • The importance of the work, both in relation to the broader discipline of art history and to your own scholarly goals.
  • Justification for conducting your research at the Smithsonian and utilization of research facilities and resources.
  • Permissions to utilize non-Smithsonian collections or facilities or Smithsonian collections and facilities not associated with your advisors (If applicable).
  • The current state of consultation or collaboration with Indigenous artists and estates, knowledge holders, and communities relevant to the work; knowledge of appropriate contacts; and plans for sharing research findings with these communities (if applicable).
  • Identification of the member of the SAAM research staff who might serve as your principal advisor/host and co-advisor/co-host. The publication, Smithsonian Opportunities for Research and Study, contains the necessary information on staff research specialties and current departmental interests to help you determine which staff members are best suited to your research needs. Research staff may be named by applicants to serve as principal advisors, co-advisors or consultants. Affiliated research staff may be named as co-advisors or consultants if they will be in residence during at least a portion of the tenure period proposed. You are encouraged to notify the potential advisor in advance of your application. 


  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) 

  • Please provide your current CV (please limit to 4 pages maximum). 
  • Including previous and current fellowships, grants, and/or awards. 
  • If English is not your native language, describe the level of your proficiency in reading, conversing, and writing in English. 


  • Statement of Need:

  • Applicants should submit a statement justifying the rationale for a short-term fellowship (i.e., financial constraints, employment conditions, care-giving responsibilities, or other limitations that preclude them from participating in longer-term residencies.)


  • Transcripts (unofficial are acceptable) (you may upload up to three 3MB files) 

  • Transcripts (or other materials when transcripts are not issued) from all appropriate institutions are required except for senior fellowship applications. 
  • Applicants for predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships need only submit graduate transcripts. 
  • If transcripts or other materials are not in English, the applicant should provide translations. 


  • References – from one appropriate person selected by you. More than one such letter may be included. 

  • Names and email addresses of someone familiar with your work. Please, do not use your proposed Smithsonian advisor(s) or consultant(s) as your referees. 
  • All reference letters are considered confidential unless confidentiality has been waived by the referee. 
  • Provide a copy of your proposal and a copy of Letter to Referee (downloadable pdf) to your referees. 
  • Through SOLAA you will send an email from the system to these referees so they can provide references through the SOLAA system. Please note: referees will not be able to view your application and you may send the request any time prior to submission. They will still be able to submit their reference before or after you submit your application. 
  • Referees are encouraged to submit references no later than the application due date. Applicants can check their SOLAA application prior to the deadline to determine if letters of recommendation have been submitted or not. Applicants are encouraged to follow-up with referees who have not yet submitted. 
  • Applicants conducting research with Indigenous communities are encouraged to provide a tribal letter of approval or tribal community endorsement as an additional reference letter.
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