Overview of the Getty Conservation Guest Scholars Program
The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) is offering one of the most prestigious opportunities available in the cultural heritage conservation field — the Getty Conservation Guest Scholars Program for 2027-2028. This program is specifically designed for established scholars and professionals who have already made a significant mark in the world of conservation. It is not an entry-level fellowship; it is a recognition of distinction and an invitation to deepen your work in one of the world’s most respected conservation institutions.
If you are a senior professional in cultural heritage conservation, art conservation, architectural preservation, or a closely related discipline, this could be a transformative opportunity to advance your research in a fully supported, intellectually stimulating environment.
What the Program Offers
Selected Guest Scholars are granted a three-month residency at the Getty Conservation Institute in Los Angeles, California. During this time, scholars have the freedom to pursue their own independent research projects while being fully immersed in the GCI’s resources, collections, and collaborative networks. The residency provides access to the Getty’s world-class library, research facilities, and a community of fellow scholars and conservation professionals. This is not a structured curriculum — it is dedicated, protected time to think, write, and produce meaningful work in your area of expertise.
The program covers the costs associated with the residency, making it financially accessible for international applicants as well. Recipients benefit from the intellectual community at the Getty, including opportunities to engage with researchers across the broader Getty community of programs.
Who Is Eligible?
The Getty Conservation Guest Scholars Program is aimed at established professionals and scholars — not students or early-career researchers. To be competitive for this award, candidates should meet the following general criteria:
- Have attained clear distinction and recognition in the field of cultural heritage conservation or a closely related discipline.
- Hold advanced academic qualifications or demonstrate an equivalent professional track record.
- Have a well-defined, compelling research project or agenda that would benefit from a focused residency period at the GCI.
- Be able to commit to the full three-month residency period at the Getty Conservation Institute in Los Angeles.
The program welcomes applicants from around the world, making it a genuinely international opportunity. Whether your background is in archaeology, architecture, fine arts conservation, materials science, or conservation policy, applications from diverse disciplinary perspectives are encouraged.
How to Apply
Prospective applicants should prepare a thorough application that clearly articulates their professional background and the research they intend to pursue during the residency. Strong applications typically include a detailed research proposal, a curriculum vitae highlighting achievements in the conservation field, and supporting materials that demonstrate the depth of the applicant’s expertise and the significance of their proposed work.
It is strongly recommended that you review all application guidelines carefully on the official Getty website and begin gathering your materials well in advance of the deadline. Given the competitive nature of this program, a well-crafted, focused research proposal will be critical to your success.
Application Deadline
The deadline to submit your application for the Getty Conservation Guest Scholars Program 2027-2028 is October 1, 2026. This gives applicants time to prepare a thorough and polished submission, but the deadline will arrive quickly if you wait. Start gathering your materials and drafting your research proposal now to give yourself the best possible chance.
Why You Should Apply
Opportunities like this one are rare. The Getty Conservation Guest Scholars Program offers not just funding and resources, but legitimacy, community, and the kind of focused time that busy professionals rarely have. If you are an accomplished conservation professional with a research idea you have been wanting to develop, this program was designed for you. The prestige of a Getty residency also opens doors professionally and academically long after the three months conclude.
Ready to apply? Visit the official page here: Apply Now
