The Conservation Guest Scholars Program provides an opportunity for professionals to pursue research on topics that bring new knowledge and fresh perspectives to the field of conservation.
Guest Scholar grants are for established scholars, or individuals who have attained distinction in their fields. Recipients are in residence at the Getty Conservation Institute in Los Angeles, where they pursue their own projects free from work-related obligations, make use of research collections at the Getty Center and Villa, and participate with other Getty scholars, fellows, and interns in the intellectual life of the Getty.
Applications are welcome from researchers of all nationalities working in conservation, historic preservation, heritage science, and related fields. Applicants should have at least five years’ experience and should have an established record of publications and other contributions to the field. Proposals for research that contributes to a PhD or other academic degree will not be considered.The Conservation Institute will consider proposals that require use of its science laboratories; however, use is dependent upon availability of lab facilities and staff time and cannot be guaranteed. If selected, scholars should be prepared to conduct research independently.
Conservation Guest Scholars may be in residence from three to six months:
- Three-month residency: September to December, January to March, April to June: $21,500
- Six-month residency: September to March, January to June: $43,000
The grant also includes a workstation at the Conservation Institute, research assistance, airfare to and from Los Angeles, an apartment in the Getty scholar housing complex, and an available healthcare option. These terms apply as of September 2021 and are subject to future changes.
Additional information about the terms of these grants is available on the Office of Scholars, Interns, and Professionals (OSIP) portal page.
Complete application materials are accepted online only. The next deadline for submission of application materials is 5:00 p.m. Los Angeles time (GMT-7), November 1, 2021.
Applicants are notified of the Getty Conservation Institute’s decision approximately six months following the deadline.
Conservation Guest Scholar Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria:
- The overall quality of the application;
- how the project would contribute to the advancement of practice in the conservation field;
- the applicant’s past achievements;
- their qualifications to undertake the project; and
- how the project would benefit from the resources at the Getty, including its library and collections.