Conservation Guest Scholars

Applications are welcome from researchers and practitioners of all nationalities working in cultural heritage conservation or preservation, including objects, collections, architecture, and sites. Applicants should have at least seven years of professional experience and should have an established record of publications and other contributions to the field. Individuals from groups underrepresented across the field of cultural heritage conservation are encouraged to apply.

Proposals for postdoctoral research or research that contributes to a PhD or other academic degree will not be considered. Recent PhDs in chemistry and other physical or material sciences should apply to the Postdoctoral Fellowship in Conservation Science.

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 independent of Science department staff.

Previous Conservation Guest Scholar Grant recipients are eligible to reapply after a waiting period of six years.

Current Getty staff and members of their immediate family are not eligible for Conservation Guest Scholar Grants.

A related opportunity, Getty Scholars Program at the Villa contributes to the understanding and preservation of cultural heritage through advanced research on the arts and cultures of antiquity.

Conservation Guest Scholars and Getty Villa Scholars live in the same complex and participate in many shared activities and lectures while in residence. The parallel programs provide ample opportunities for exchange and collaboration. Applications for the Villa Scholars Program are made separately.

Conservation Guest Scholars are in residence for three months:

• September–December, January–March, or April–June: $21,500

The grant also includes a workstation at the Conservation Institute, an apartment in the Getty scholar housing complex, research assistance, a travel stipend, and an available healthcare option.

These terms apply as of August 2026 and are subject to future changes.

See the overview of the Getty Residential Scholar and Fellow Program for further details about stipends, housing, healthcare, and more.

Applications are submitted through the Getty Foundation Grant Portal. When the application is open, users can create or update their account and password, log in, and begin a new application. For the best user experience, we strongly recommend use of the Google Chrome browser. You may also use Firefox or Safari. The Internet Explorer (IE) browser is not compatible with our portal.

You may return to your work at any time by visiting the portal at the link above and logging into your account.

Please note: Once you have created and saved an application form, be sure to return to work on the same form by selecting the "Applications: In Progress" link to return to your saved application. Otherwise, you may inadvertently create multiple versions of the same application.

The project proposal should not exceed five pages, typed and double-spaced and must include a description of the applicant's proposed plan of study.

The proposal should include the following distinct sections:

1. Project description
2. Methodology (please specify which of the project's components would be pursued while in residence at the Getty)
3. Expected outcome
4. Project’s contribution to the advancement of practice in the conservation field
5. Applicant's qualifications to execute project
6. Benefits to project from resources at the Getty

An abridged curriculum vitae (CV) is a condensed record of your most relevant professional activities and should not exceed five typed, single-spaced pages.

Cite scholarly works, other than your own, that are important to the project and place the project in its intellectual framework.

Not to exceed two typed, single-spaced pages.

Conservation Guest Scholar Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. overall quality of the application;
2. how the project would contribute to the advancement of practice in the conservation field;
3. applicant's past achievements;
4. applicant's qualifications to undertake the project; and
5. how the project would benefit from the resources at Getty, including its library collections and staff.

Letters of reference will not be considered in the application evaluation.

Applications undergo a rigorous screening process with two separate selection committees. The committees include current Getty staff members and other experts with backgrounds in conservation and adjacent fields of study from outside Getty.

Strong applications will demonstrate an original topic, a clearly defined methodology and proposed outcomes, the impact on the field, the ability to work independently of GCI staff expertise and availability, and a clear explanation of why Getty is the best place to conduct this research.

Applicants will be notified of the Getty Conservation Institute's decision by March or April 2027.