Met Photograph Conservation Scholarship 2027 applications are open for advanced research in New York. The award provides US$63,000 annually, with a fellowship period of 1 September 2027 to 31 August 2029 and possible third-year renewal. Applications close on 11 November 2026 at 5 pm ET.
This is a specialised opportunity for researchers who can connect a focused conservation question with the museum’s photographic collections. With the deadline close, check your eligibility and supporting documents before investing time in a proposal.
Read the official call and apply
Met photograph conservation scholarship: financial support
The call also lists US$6,000 for research travel of up to six weeks and additional monthly health-insurance support. Visa application costs are excluded. No specific health-insurance payment amount is published.
Make a practical budget using the written award conditions. Separate research travel from everyday living costs and identify expenses that could arise before your first payment. Check the arrangements for accommodation, tax and insurance directly through the official information relevant to your situation.
A fellowship offer should be read as a complete set of conditions. Keep copies of the financial terms and any clarification you receive. Avoid making non-refundable travel or housing commitments before the award and the necessary arrangements are confirmed.
Who is this scholarship for?
Applicants should have a graduate conservation degree or equivalent experience, a photograph-conservation specialism and the capacity for independent research. International applicants may apply subject to valid US work authorisation; eligible applicants outside the US may receive J-1 sponsorship.
Assess your preparation honestly. Think about the work you have completed independently, the methods you can use confidently and the limits of your experience. If your background is broader than photograph conservation, make sure you can explain the relevant specialist preparation rather than relying only on general enthusiasm for museum work.
Turn a broad interest into a manageable project
The application requires a research proposal of no more than 1,000 words, explaining the connection to The Met’s resources and collections.
Start by identifying one question that could be investigated within the available time. Then ask what evidence would help answer it, how you would examine that evidence and what the findings could contribute. A proposal becomes easier to assess when the question, method and intended output are connected.
Use public collection information to develop your understanding, while distinguishing confirmed access from access you would need to request. Do not assume that every object, sample or instrument would be available simply because it appears in a catalogue or publication. Be clear about any assistance or permission your approach would require.
Build a realistic work sequence. Allow time for preparation, documentation, analysis and writing, and identify a sensible response if one part of the project cannot proceed as planned. A modest, well-defined research question can be stronger than an ambitious list of unrelated activities.
Keep claims proportionate to the evidence. Explain what your project could establish and where uncertainty would remain. Check that your writing communicates the conservation problem without depending on long strings of unexplained technical terms.
Prepare documents and recommendations
Applications are submitted online in English. Supporting materials include a CV, work and any travel schedule, official academic transcripts and three recommendations, including at least one academic and one professional reference. Recommenders submit their letters directly; current Met staff, contractors and volunteers cannot serve as recommenders.
Make a short completion checklist immediately. Confirm that each referee can provide the required letter on time, and give them the correct instructions. Do not assume that your own submission makes an application complete if a recommendation remains outstanding.
Review your CV beside the proposal. The experience you highlight should help the reader understand your preparation for the proposed work. Use accurate dates and distinguish individual responsibilities from team achievements. Check that scans are readable and that the names and qualifications on your documents are consistent.
Use the correct route for questions
The Met’s FAQ directs fellowship enquiries to its Academic and Research Programs team. It warns against discussing an application or proposal with other museum staff, as this can make an application ineligible. Follow that restriction when seeking clarification.
Before sending a question, read the relevant call and FAQ carefully. If something remains unclear, make the enquiry specific and concise. Identify the requirement you need explained rather than asking the team to assess an unfinished application informally.
Final review before submission
- Check that the project fits your skills and the collection-based opportunity.
- Keep the proposal within the stated limit and make the research plan feasible.
- Confirm that references and academic records meet the instructions.
- Use the official call’s Apply now button and complete all required steps.
- Retain the submission acknowledgement and avoid relying on a late extension.
Compare the separate CRG paid doctoral research opportunity if biomedical research matches your background.
Official sources
Checked on 9 November 2026. Preparation suggestions are editorial guidance. Opportunities Feed is an independent publisher; The Met determines eligibility, awards and fellowship arrangements.
