Fellowship Stipends

Smithsonian Fellowship stipends are not considered salary or compensation, but are awarded to help support a fellow’s study and research efforts during the tenure of their appointment. 

Fellows awarded stipends receive a financial summary at the end of each calendar year and are responsible for meeting their own state and federal tax obligations.

Fellowship stipends issued by the Smithsonian vary across programs but may be benchmarked against the Smithsonian’s centrally funded flagship Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program (SIFP) as follows:

• Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program (SIFP) ten week graduate students: $8000 for 10 weeks
• other graduate and predoctoral students: $40,000 per year
• postdoctoral researchers: $55,000 per year

These amounts are pro-rated accordingly and do not include additional allowances that may be received for health insurance, research, and relocation travel, which vary by program.