Summary

The Theodore Rousseau Fellowship supports scholars whose projects require travel for close study of painting collections in Europe. This is the only fellowship that does not require residency at The Met. The structure of the fellowship encourages broad connections with European institutions, allowing fellows to engage with works of art, archives, and scholarly communities beyond The Met.

Applicants should propose a specific, independent research project that relates to The Met collection, while pursuing complementary research in European paintings collections. Their research need not be entirely focused on European art; however, it should deeply engage with collections of paintings in Europe.

Although the fellowship is off site, the fellow is assigned a Met supervisor who provides guidance and mentorship throughout the fellowship. The fellow may elect to visit or spend a limited amount of time at The Met during the fellowship period if they choose.

Key Details

Compensation: $53,000 stipend (junior fellows); $63,000 stipend (senior fellows)

Term: 12 months (September 1, 2027–August 31, 2028)

Deadline: October 15, 2026 (5 PM ET)

Eligibility

• PhD candidates through senior postdoctoral scholars are eligible to apply.
• Junior fellowships are awarded to those applicants who are working on their PhD on the application deadline date.
• Senior fellowships are awarded to those who hold a PhD on the application deadline date and/or are well-established scholars. Applicants who receive their PhD after the application deadline date are not eligible to move into the senior category.
• Individuals who are neither US citizens nor permanent residents are eligible to apply for The Met Fellowship Program, provided that they have or are able to obtain valid work authorization under applicable US visa regulations. If you are an international student, fellow, or worker currently in the US on a visa sponsored by another entity (e.g. a university, another museum, or employer), we strongly encourage you to speak to your university’s foreign student office or visa sponsor before applying. If you are currently in the US on an F-1 visa sponsored by a US college or university, you may request CPT or OPT from your school to participate in the Fellowship Program. Please contact your university’s foreign student office prior to applying.
• If you are not currently in the US, The Met may be able to sponsor successful applicants as part of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, if they are eligible. Please note that the J-1 Exchange Program has specific regulations about repeat participation in the program; if you currently hold or have held a J-1 visa in the past, we strongly encourage you to visit the BridgeUSA website (j1visa.state.gov) and your current sponsor’s visa office to determine your eligibility to apply for another J-1 visa. Please note that The Met does not reimburse or cover costs incurred during the visa application process.

About

The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.

Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a staff as diverse as the audiences we engage. Our staff members are art lovers who are passionate about working toward a common goal: creating the most dynamic and inspiring art museum in the world.

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