Bard Graduate Center (BGC) Visiting fellowships

BGC Visiting Fellowship applications for the 2025–26 academic year are now open; applications are due Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 11:59 pm EST. Fulbright applicants for the 2026–27 academic year are on a different timeline; please see below for more detail.

Bard Graduate Center invites scholars from university, museum, and independent backgrounds with a PhD or equivalent professional experience to apply for non-stipendiary Visiting Fellowships to take place during the 2025–26 academic year. Bard Graduate Center Visiting Fellowships, which are intended for scholars who have already secured means of funding, provide scholars with workspace in the Bard Graduate Center Research Center and enable them to join our dynamic, intellectual, and scholarly community in New York City. Visiting Fellowships represent our commitment to conversation and scholarly communication. We are happy to welcome scholars who similarly seek a serious but informal intellectual environment in which to pursue their work in decorative arts, design history, and material culture. Please note that we prioritize applicants who have not yet held a BGC fellowship with us before. Visiting Fellows are invited for four months in the fall or spring semester, though we may consider exceptions under unique circumstances. We do not reimburse fellows for travel, relocation, housing, or visa-related costs in connection with this fellowship award.

To apply

Fill out the BGC Visiting Fellowship application form*, and upload your supplementary materials directly into the form. All supplementary materials should be saved as a single PDF file, with the filename following this format: “Your Last Name_Visiting_Application.” The single PDF file of supplementary materials should include: (1) a cover letter explaining why Bard Graduate Center is an appropriate research affiliation; (2) a 150-word abstract of the project; (3) a 1000-word detailed project description; (4) your CV; (5) a publication or academic writing sample of approximately twenty to thirty pages; (6) the names and contact information for two references. Letters of recommendation are not required.

*A Google account is required to submit your application through the linked form. If you do not have a Google account, please email fellowships@bgc.bard.edu to submit your application.

All materials must be received by Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 11:59 pm EST. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Questions

Email fellowships@bgc.bard.edu.