A. Verville Fellowship

Name: A. Verville Fellowship, National Air and Space Museum

Award Amount: $55,000 annual stipend for a 12-month fellowship, with limited additional funds for travel and miscellaneous expenses

Information And Eligibility:
The A. Verville Fellowship is a prestigious, in-residence research fellowship hosted by the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum. This highly competitive program supports scholars, writers, and researchers conducting original work in the history of aviation and spaceflight. The fellowship is designed to encourage in-depth analysis of major historical trends, technological developments, and landmark achievements that have shaped aviation, aeronautics, and space exploration.

Fellows work closely with curators and historians in the Museum’s Aeronautics and Space History Departments, gaining access to one of the world’s most significant collections of aerospace-related archival materials. Research topics commonly include aviation technology, aircraft design, air transport systems, military aviation, rocketry, space science, and the cultural, political, and economic dimensions of flight. Projects may focus on specific historical periods, technological breakthroughs, institutions, or individuals whose contributions influenced the evolution of air and space history.

The fellowship appointment typically lasts between nine and twelve months and is conducted on a full-time, residential basis in the Washington, DC area. Fellows are expected to engage actively with the Museum’s scholarly community, participate in research discussions, and contribute to the intellectual life of the institution. This may include presenting work-in-progress, attending seminars, and collaborating with staff researchers.

Applicants should demonstrate strong research and writing abilities, along with the capacity to produce high-quality scholarship suitable for academic or public audiences. While an advanced degree in history, museum studies, science and technology studies, or a related field is preferred, it is not strictly required. Publishing experience should show either established academic accomplishment or the ability to communicate complex historical ideas to broader audiences through books, articles, exhibitions, or digital media.

The fellowship provides an annual stipend of $55,000, allowing recipients to devote full attention to research and writing without teaching or administrative obligations. Limited additional funding may be available to support research travel or project-related expenses. The goal of the fellowship is to enable fellows to complete a substantial scholarly product, such as a book manuscript, major article, or equivalent contribution to the field.

The A. Verville Fellowship is widely regarded as one of the most respected opportunities in aerospace history research. Alumni of the program have gone on to publish influential works, curate major museum exhibitions, and shape public understanding of aviation and space history. For scholars seeking focused research time within a world-class museum environment, the fellowship offers both professional distinction and exceptional scholarly resources.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must demonstrate strong research and writing skills.
• Research must focus on aviation, aeronautics, or space history.
• Advanced degree in history or a related field is preferred but not required.
• Must be able to commit to a full-time, in-residence fellowship in the Washington, DC area.
• Publishing experience should demonstrate academic or public-facing scholarship.

Application Requirements:

• Completed Smithsonian fellowship application.
• Detailed research proposal outlining objectives, methods, and significance.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Writing sample or publication list.
• Letters of recommendation.

Deadline: December

Apply Now

View Grant / Fellowship Data

Grant Categorization

CollegeWhale offers one of the only true College Grant and Fellowship Databases online. Our College Grant and Fellowship Database is one of the largest databases, containing multi-millions of dollars in college Grant and Fellowship money. Unlike other online databases, ours is college Grant and Fellowship specific, it is not mixed with college scholarship opportunities. Get matched with TONS of college Grants and Fellowships in just a few simple clicks. Grant and Fellowship money for college made simple, period.