USA Scholarships
A. Verville Fellowship 2027 - NASM $55,000
The A. Verville Fellowship is a competitive, in-residence appointment at the Smithsonian Institution''s National Air and Space Museum for analyzing major trends, developments, and accomplishments in aviation or space history. Fellows work closely with Aeronautics or Space History curators and researchers in Washington, D.C., producing articles, exhibitions, media projects, or other public-facing history work. Candidates need strong research and writing credentials, either a mid-level academic publication record or proven ability to reach broad audiences. An advanced degree is preferred but not required, and predoctoral graduate students are normally ineligible. The Smithsonian Office of Academic Appointments lists a $55,000 annual stipend for a twelve-month fellowship plus limited travel and miscellaneous support, with fellows expected on site about forty hours per week. Apply through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA) by January 15, 2027, naming a NASM staff advisor you have contacted in advance.
What is the A. Verville Fellowship?
The A. Verville Fellowship puts you inside the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum with a mandate to step back from a single artifact and explain how aviation or spaceflight shifted culture, technology, or policy. Curators in Aeronautics and Space History already publish on everything from airline economics to rocket development, and Verville fellows join that conversation as peers rather than interns.
The year is structured for output. You are on site in Washington, D.C., reporting to a named staff advisor, giving work-in-progress talks, and keeping a full-time schedule that mirrors museum professional life. Stipend support from the Smithsonian Office of Academic Appointments runs about $55,000 for twelve months, with modest travel money on top, but you budget your own housing in the capital region.
SOLAA is the gate. Mid-career historians, independent writers, and public historians with credible publication trails compete in one January deadline pool, while predoctoral students usually sit this one out. Start advisor emails months ahead, because reviewers want proof that a NASM expert will actually shepherd your project through the collections you name in your proposal.
If your passion is narrative history with real archives behind it, Verville pairs naturally with other Washington fellowships, but the Air and Space angle is specific. Bring a question that needs NASM holdings, not a generic dissertation chapter you could finish anywhere.
Eligibility
-
✓Research and writing track recordYou must show demonstrated skills in historical research and writing through publications, exhibitions, or comparable work aimed at academic or public audiences.
-
✓Mid-career or professional standingThe fellowship targets mid-career scholars and qualified nonacademic candidates. Predoctoral graduate students will normally not be considered.
-
✓Aviation or space history focusProposals should analyze major trends, developments, or accomplishments in aviation history, space history, or related science and technology themes aligned with NASM collections and staff expertise.
-
✓Named Smithsonian staff advisorEvery application must identify a National Air and Space Museum staff member who will serve as your advisor. Contact potential advisors before applying to confirm fit and availability.
-
✓In-residence availabilityFellows work on site in the Washington, D.C. area, adhere to a forty-hour work week, present work in progress, and submit summary reports at the end of tenure.
-
✓Advanced degree preferred, not requiredA graduate degree in history or a related field is preferred but not mandatory if your publishing or public history record is strong enough for mid-career review.
Benefits
- Annual stipend $55,000 (12-month appointment)
- Travel and miscellaneous Limited additional funds
- Tenure length 9-12 months in residence
- Museum access Collections, staff, and research infrastructure
- Work-in-progress presentations Expected during fellowship
- Housing in D.C. Not provided (stipend only)
- Predoctoral study support Not eligible for most grad students
Document checklist
-
✓SOLAA online applicationCreate a SOLAA account, start a new application, and select National Air and Space Museum as the office or museum. Complete every required field before the January 15, 2027 deadline.
-
✓Research proposalDescribe the aviation or space history questions you will pursue at NASM, how you will use museum resources, and what outputs you expect during the nine- to twelve-month term.
-
✓Curriculum vitaeUpload a CV highlighting publications, exhibitions, media projects, and prior fellowships that show you can finish a major history project in one year.
-
✓Letters of recommendationSOLAA collects referee letters according to Smithsonian instructions. Choose recommenders who can speak to your research independence and writing quality.
-
✓Staff advisor confirmationList the NASM curator or historian who agreed to advise you. Include correspondence showing they understand your topic and can meet regularly during residency.
-
✓Writing samples or publication listProvide samples or links that match the fellowship's emphasis on analytical history accessible to scholars or the public, depending on your career path.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the A. Verville Fellowship?
It is an in-residence fellowship at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum for historians and writers studying major trends in aviation or space history. Fellows analyze developments in the field while working with museum staff in Washington, D.C.
How much is the A. Verville Fellowship stipend?
The Smithsonian Office of Academic Appointments lists a $55,000 annual stipend for a twelve-month Verville Fellowship, plus limited additional funds for travel and miscellaneous research expenses. Housing is not included.
When is the A. Verville Fellowship application deadline?
Smithsonian fellowship listings use a January 15 deadline on SOLAA. For the 2027 residency cycle, plan to submit your complete application by January 15, 2027 unless fellowships.si.edu posts an updated date.
Can graduate students apply for the Verville Fellowship?
Predoctoral graduate students are generally not eligible. The program targets mid-career scholars and qualified nonacademic researchers with publishing or public history records that show they can lead a year-long project.
Do I need a Smithsonian staff advisor for the Verville Fellowship?
Yes. Every applicant must identify a National Air and Space Museum staff advisor. Smithsonian instructions encourage you to contact potential advisors before applying so they understand your topic and can commit time during your residency.
How do I apply for the A. Verville Fellowship?
Apply through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA). Create an account, select National Air and Space Museum, complete the Verville form, upload your proposal and CV, and arrange referee letters before the deadline.
Where is the Verville Fellowship located?
Fellows work in residence at the National Air and Space Museum in the Washington, D.C. area, typically following a forty-hour work week with regular meetings with their staff advisor.
Is an advanced degree required for the Verville Fellowship?
An advanced degree in history or a related field is preferred but not required. Selection focuses on research and writing accomplishment, whether through academic publications or reliable engagement with broader audiences.
Scholarship Union
More in-depth scholarship guides curated by experts.
Related guides
Always verify scholarship details on the official source before applying. Information on this page may change.
Visit official website