Library Research Grants FAQs

May I apply for a Getty Library Research Grant if my project is primarily based on Getty Museum materials?

No. Projects focused solely on materials in the Getty Museum collections are not eligible.

Who should apply for the Conservation Collection Library Research Grant?

Researchers whose work is focused specifically on conservation of cultural heritage should apply for these specialized grants.

Who may apply for the Award for Undergraduates?

College/university students who have obtained or are earning a Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in art history, architectural history, studio art, or a related discipline but have not yet advanced to a Masters or PhD/doctoral program may apply for this award.

If my project requires access solely to the Getty Library’s audiovisual materials, will I be awarded a grant?

No. If your research project is related exclusively to audiovisual material in our collection, an application for a Library Research Grant to travel to the GRI will be declined. Please submit a GRI and Research Library E-mail Request Form to view AV material remotely.

However, if your research project includes other formats including archives, photographs, etc. that have not been digitized in addition to audiovisual material, you are welcome to apply for a grant and list the audiovisual items you wish to consult. Should a grant be awarded, we will encourage you to focus your in-person research trip on those collection materials that you would not be able to access remotely.

If my proposal requires access to collections described as “unprocessed” in the Library Catalog, will it be considered for a grant?

Yes. However, requests to use unprocessed collections are evaluated on a case-by-case basis for physical condition concerns and restricted content. You may write to Reference@getty.edu to ask whether unprocessed materials might be accessible by the time you wish to conduct your research visit.

Will my application be considered if my project is primarily focused on materials that are already digitized?

Yes. However, reviewers will look for a compelling argument in your project proposal for why you need to view the original materials.

How do I find out if a book or archive is already digitized?

For archives, follow these steps:

1. Search for the archive in the Library Catalog and locate the catalog entry (it should say “Manuscript/Archive” at the top).
2. Click on the entry.
3. Scroll down to the “Links” section (below the “Detail” section).
4. If available, click “Connect to selected digitized images.”

OR

1. Search for the archive in the Library Catalog.
2. On the left-hand menu, filter search results under “Collections” by checking the “GRI Digital Collections” box.

For books, follow these steps:

1. Search for the book in the Library Catalog and locate the catalog entry (it should say “Book” at the top).
2. Click on the entry.
3. Scroll down to the “Links” section (below the “Detail” section).
4. If available, click “Getty Research Institute digitized version (Internet Archive).”

Will my application be considered if I only have one letter of recommendation?

No. Two letters of recommendation are required for an application to be considered complete. Applications without two letters of recommendation will not be considered for a grant.

How do I check my application account to see if my recommenders have uploaded their letters?

Once you have initiated your recommendation requests, you will need to monitor your application account to ensure that your recommenders have uploaded their letters before the deadline.

How to check if your letters have been submitted:

1. In the application portal, in the left menu, click the “Applications” drop-down menu.
2. Click “Submitted.”
3. Select the application whose status you would like to check.
4. Scroll down to “Letters of Recommendation.”
5. Below where it says “Recommender #1” and “Recommender #2,” you will see either “Recommendation submitted,” which means that the letter has been received, or “Recommendation needed,” which means that the letter has not yet been received.
6. If a letter has not been received, contact your recommender to ask them to submit the required letter.

How should I format the Selected Bibliography?

For all entries, include the permalink for the items you wish to consult during your visit. To locate the permalink, follow these steps:

1. Search for the item in the Library Catalog and locate the catalog entry.
2. Click on the entry.
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the “Detail” section.
4. You will see “Permalink” and a URL that begins with "http://primo.getty.edu..." Copy and paste the URL and include it for each item in your bibliography.

For books, include: Author, title, and permalink

For archives, include: Archive title, permalink, and box numbers (consult the finding aid for the archive to find the box numbers)

For smaller archives that do not have a finding aid, include: Archive title and permalink