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Science Visiting Scholarships

The Science and Scholarship Funding Committee is delighted to announce Call 7 for applications to the 2027 Science Visiting Scholars program. Successful candidates will lead independent or interdisciplinary research projects under the guidance of one or more Field Museum scientists

Visiting the Field Museum offers a unique opportunity to explore one of the world’s most extensive natural history collections. Scholars gain hands-on access to specimens, cutting-edge research facilities, and the chance to engage in meaningful collaborations, fostering new ideas, publications, and lasting professional connections.

To assist in preparing your application, a template is included to help structure your research plan and objectives. We encourage all interested scientists to apply and take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to advance their work in a vibrant research environment.

Please read the general guidance from the Museum’s immigration attorney for foreign nationals traveling to the U.S. here.

Key Dates & Submission Info

  • Submission deadline: December 30, 2026
  • Submission platform: Google Form

Funding Details

  • Award Amount for Domestic Applicants: Up to $2,500 USD.
  • Award Amount for International Applicants: Up to $4,000 USD.
  • Number of Awards: Multiple awards anticipated.
  • Funding Start Date: Late January, 2027. Visits should occur in 2027 unless otherwise approved.

What We’re Looking For

  • Conduct innovative research using the Field Museum’s collections or explore under-studied specimens.
  • Leverage existing collections to uncover new findings or reinterpret historic material.
  • Contribute to advancing the Museum’s scientific resources, including collection development, conservation, or collaborative initiatives.

Applicant’s Eligibility

  • U.S. Visitors: Must be affiliated with a recognized academic or research institution.  
  • International Visitors: Eligible applicants include research scholars, professors, or postdoctoral researchers affiliated with an academic institution.
  • International Students: Must be enrolled in a post-undergraduate program (Master's or Ph.D.); undergraduate students are NOT eligible.
  • Priority will be given to applicants who have not previously received this scholarship.

Field Museum Sponsor’s Eligibility

  • Must hold a current, full-time, regular staff position at the Field Museum within CC&R.
  • Must hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field (preferred), or at minimum an M.Sc.
  • Must have an active and strong record of peer-reviewed publications.
  • Term Research Scientists are eligible to serve as sponsors.
  • Postdoctoral Scientists are NOT eligible to serve as sponsors.
  • To ensure a fair and focused selection process, each curator or sponsor may endorse up to two applicants per funding cycle. Sponsors who submit endorsement letters for more than two applicants will render all associated applications ineligible for this round.

Connecting with Potential Curators & Sponsors: All applicants must reach out to a Field Museum scientist to discuss mentorship and project alignment prior to applying. One letter or endorsement from a FM sponsor is required with your application. 

Letter of Endorsement

  • The letter must be received by December 30, 2026. Applications missing the sponsor’s letter will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. The letter must confirm the curator/sponsor’s commitment to support and collaborate on the proposed project. It should briefly describe how the project fits within the Museum’s research priorities and outline the sponsor’s role during the fellowship.
  • Letters must be submitted through the official submission link; emailed or hard copy letters will not be accepted.

Application Documents

Applicants must submit the following materials as a single PDF file (items 1 to 4 only) to be considered for funding:

  1. Research Proposal: (2-page maximum) (A proposal template is included to help structure your ideas).
  2. Curriculum Vitae: Highlight academic achievements, research experience, publications, and outreach.
  3. CAT Communication: A brief email (provided by the Curator/Sponsor) copying all CAT members to confirm they are aware of your proposed project.
  4. Museum Facilities Approval Letter: If your proposal includes the use of Field Museum labs (Grainger Bioinformatics Center, Pritzker DNA Lab, Negaunee Integrative Research Center Core Labs or other specialized resources) your Curator/Sponsor must work with you to contact the appropriate facility director to confirm feasibility of the work, budgetary alignment, and permissions and logistics.

Proposal Format: Proposals must use the template provided and follow all formatting guidelines. The main body of the proposal must be limited to one page and numbering should be maintained throughout the document. A second page may be used for figures, schedule, and references.

Page 1

  • Title and Applicant’s Name
  • Goal(s) of the Visit: Briefly state the main objective(s) of your research during the visit.
  • Research and Methodology: Outline your research questions and hypotheses guiding your project, and describe the methods you will use to carry out the study.
  • Merit: Briefly explain the significance of your research, its contribution to the field, and why this visit is critical.
  • Expected Outcomes of the Visit: Describe the anticipated results, such as publications, datasets, collaborations, outreach activities or other tangible outputs for the Field Museum.
  • What the Visitor Will Gain: Explain how the scholarship will advance your research skills, foster collaborations, or provide access to collections and resources.
  • Contingency Plan: Describe how you will address unexpected challenges, delays, or disruptions during the duration of the project or visit.

Page 2

  • Brief Schedule: Provide a timeline of the proposed visit, including key milestones.
  • Budget: Budgets should be reasonable, clearly justified, and aligned with the goals and duration of the proposed visit. Partial funding requests are welcome if additional support is available from other sources. Include travel, lodging, research, and other expenses structured to reflect the duration of the visit.
  • Field Museum Collaborators: List any potential FM collaborators (beyond your sponsor) and briefly describe their role in your project (optional).
  • Figures: Recommended. Include diagrams or photos relevant to your proposal (optional).
  • References: Provide brief citations for all works referenced in your proposal (optional).

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions to scholarship@fieldmuseum.org. We look forward to seeing your exciting proposals!