Library Research Grants

Library Research Grants are intended for researchers of all nationalities and at any level—unless otherwise specified in the grant description—who demonstrate a compelling need to use materials housed in the Getty Library and whose place of residence is more than 80 miles from the Getty Center.

Projects must relate to specific items in the library’s collections (consult the Getty Library Catalog). Projects focused solely on materials in the Getty Museum collections are not eligible.

Projects that rely heavily on materials that are digitized require a compelling reason for viewing the original items, which can be explained in the application project proposal. See Frequently Asked Questions for how to check if an object is digitized.

Researchers who have been awarded a Getty Library Research Grant within the past 4 years are not eligible to apply.

Library Research Grants are intended to provide partial support for travel, lodging, and living expenses. Housing is not provided. In general, grants are awarded as follows depending upon the distance traveled:

• Within California (must reside more than 80 miles away from the Getty Center): $1,500
• North America, including Canada and Mexico: $3,000
• International (outside of North America): $4,500

The research period may range from 5 days to a maximum of 8 weeks.

See the overview of the Getty Library Research Grant Program for important information about the terms of these grants and potential tax liabilities.

Applications for 2026 year grants will open in early July 2025.

Applicants need to complete and submit the online application form by the deadline, which requires the following attachments:

1. Project Proposal (not to exceed 2 pages, typed and double-spaced): This statement should include a description of your proposed research project, an explanation of your project's current state of development, and a description of what you expect to accomplish at the Getty Library.

2. Curriculum Vitae: Either a brief or full version is acceptable.

3. Selected Bibliography Cite the collections and resources housed in the Getty Library that are most critical to consult during your visit by copying and pasting the citation and permalink from the Getty Library Catalog See Frequently Asked Questions for what to include in the bibliography.

4. Two Letters of Recommendation: The online application form will prompt you to request two confidential letters of recommendation through the system. After providing the names and emails of your references, a link will be sent to them automatically that will allow them to upload their confidential recommendations. Recommenders should attach a scanned original letter to the email.

Two letters of recommendation are required for an application to be considered complete. Once you request the letters, you are responsible for monitoring your application account to confirm that the letters have been submitted. See Frequently Asked Questions for how to check if your letters have been submitted. Applications without two letters of recommendation will not be considered for a grant.

Applicants will be notified of their application outcome approximately 12 weeks after the deadline.

Applicants who do not receive grant awards are still welcome to use the Getty Library in accordance with its access policy.