Fulbright-National Archives Heritage Science Fellowship

The Fulbright-National Archives Heritage Science Fellowship, a component of the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, provides an opportunity for Fulbright visiting scholars to connect with National Archives scientists and experts while conducting research at the National Archives’ state-of-the-art Heritage Science Research and Testing Lab in College Park, Maryland.

The award was established in January 2021 to support archival science education, conservation, and research.

Heritage science is an interdisciplinary field spanning the humanities and sciences. It focuses on enhancing the care, use, and management of cultural and historic objects using the tools and technology of math, science, and engineering disciplines.

Details about the Fulbright-National Archives Heritage Science Fellowship for Fulbright visiting scholars, including eligibility and application details, can be found at https://fulbrightscholars.org/fulbrightnationalarchives.

Eligible candidates will be researchers or professionals in heritage science or related technical fields, and be a citizen of and resident in one of the following countries: Ghana, Indonesia, Italy, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Sri Lanka, or Taiwan. U.S. Citizens or U.S. permanent residents, including dual citizens, are ineligible for Fulbright Visiting Scholar Awards.

A Master’s degree is required, but PhD or equivalent professional experience is preferred.

Advanced Doctoral researchers completing dissertation projects related to heritage science are eligible to apply.

Past experience with heritage science or archival research is preferred, but not required. High quality projects will contribute to international collaborations in heritage science, and build relationships with U.S. experts and institutions.

Disciplines
 Heritage/Conservation Science
 Preventative Preservation
 Chemistry
 Physics
 Materials Science and Engineering
 Microbiology
 Statistics

Areas of Interest
 Archival cultural heritage preservation and conservation
 Applications of technology to complex issues in heritage preservation and risk management

 Data analysis and visualization

Current project interests include
 sustainable environmental (temperature and humidity) management
 developing early mold detection systems
 polymer characterization and aging

The selected participant will receive:

• J-1 visa sponsorship
• J-1 visa compliant health benefits
• Round trip international travel to the United States.

The Fulbrighter will also receive a modest stipend to cover living expenses, settling in, and professional development allowances.  If applicable, the grantee will receive also a modest dependent allowance. J visa compliant health insurance and travel costs for accompanying dependents are the responsibility of the participant.

Additionally, recipients of this award will be invited to participate in Fulbright Scholar Enrichment Activities https://fulbrightscholars.org/institutions/enrichment-activities, as well as Fulbright’s Outreach Lecturing Fund https://fulbrightscholars.org/OLF.

Fellows will join a diverse, active, worldwide network of alumni who carry the impact of their transformational Fulbright experience far beyond the period of their exchange programs.

Please note that a portion of this Fulbright National Archives Heritage Science Fellow’s program will take place during the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The selected fellow will be able to benefit from “America 250” commemorative programming at the National Archives.

Financial details (to be confirmed)
The monthly stipend will be $4.805 monthly (that’s the rate for the metro DC area), plus any relevant dependent allowances ($200 monthly for one dependent, $350 for two or more dependents). There are also modest settling in and professional development allowances of roughly $2K combined, although less if the grant is 4 months or less.

Academic Year: 2026-2027

Award Length and Dates
Minimum of 5 months, maximum of 12 months

Beginning: September 2026

Application opens on September 30, 2025

Application Deadline
January 12, 2026

Application

Apply Online: https://apply.iie.org/fvsp2025

Applicants will apply directly to IIE with the National Archives conducting the review and narrowing the pool of applicants to a shortlist of candidates.  If an Italian candidate is among those on the shortlist, the Commission in Italy will be asked to review/vet the candidate.

Questions

IIE: Contact Susan Muendl: fulbrightnationalarchives@iie.org

Commission: Barbara Pizzella, bpizzella@fulbright.it