Field Museum Research Scholarships & Grants

The Field Museum houses some of the world's finest collections. The Field Museum recognizes the need to support basic research on its collections by interested students and scholars throughout the world. To this end, the Museum offers a modest number of grants and fellowships to visiting scientists and students for research and training in our scientific collections and state-of-the-art laboratories.Scholarship Details• Bass Senior Visiting Fellowships for advanced scholars conducting collection-based research• Field Museum Women in Science Internships for high school and undergraduate students (6-week internships)• Graduate Student Fellowships for one-year residency in collaboration with Field Museum curators• Visiting Scholarships for short-term (up to 3 months) collection research projects• Postdoctoral Scientist support for eligible research initiatives• All relevant applications require endorsement by a Field Museum curator or scientific sponsor• Preference given to projects related to collection strengths or curator research interestsEligibility Criteria• Open to national and international scholars in natural history fields• Applicants for fellowships and visiting scholarships must obtain endorsement from a Field Museum curator or scientific sponsor• Graduate and postdoctoral applicants must align their research with Field Museum collections or staff expertise• English language proficiency required for J-1 exchange visitors, demonstrated through TOEFL, IELTS, educational background, or a documented interview• Eligibility for high school, undergraduate internships, and educator programs varies by program descriptionApplication Process1. Identify the funding opportunity that matches your academic or research level2. Review specific eligibility requirements and program details for the selected opportunity3. Contact a Field Museum curator or scientific sponsor well in advance to secure endorsement4. Prepare application materials, including research proposal and supporting documents5. Submit your completed application before the designated deadline for each program6. If required, provide documentation of English language proficiencyGrants to examine specimens in our collections are open on a competitive basis to all individuals in the national and international scholarly community working on problems related to natural history. Eligibility for undergraduate research (REU) internships, high school internships and science educators vary, please consult the description for each program.