Getty Library Research Grants

Getty Library Research Grants is sponsored by Getty Research Institute. Provides partial, short-term support for researchers who need access to the Getty Library's specialized collections. This includes focused grants for African American visual culture, culinary history, food presentation, and cultural heritage preservation.

Library Research Grants | Getty Projects Short-term grants offering support for researchers to use the Getty Library’s collections Getty Library Research Grants support a wide range of research pursuits through an open call for applications. They provide partial, short-term support for researchers requiring the use of specific collections housed in the Getty Library.

Note: Due to the temporary closure of the Getty Center from spring 2027 to spring 2028, the Getty Library will not be accepting Library Research Grant applications for the 2027 year.

In addition to the open call for applications, the following focused grants are available: Whitney and Lee Kaplan African American Visual Culture Collection Library Research Grant : Supports research that utilizes an encyclopedic and interdisciplinary collection of published works related to African American art.

Learn more about the collection Anne Willan and Mark Cherniavsky Gastronomy Collection of Prints and Rare and Contemporary Books Library Research Grant : Supports projects that utilize the collection to research culinary history and the visual culture, preparation, and presentation of food.

Learn more about the collection Conservation Collection Library Research Grant : Supports research that utilizes the collection developed by the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) and which consists of specialized research materials related to the preservation and conservation of material cultural heritage.

Learn more about the collection Awards for Undergraduates : Specifically for 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 who have not yet advanced to a Masters or PhD/doctoral program.

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 can occur any time be between February 2, 2026 to December 18, 2026, and 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. Due to the temporary closure of the Getty Center from spring 2027 to spring 2028, the Getty Library will not be accepting Library Research Grant applications for the 2027 year.

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

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

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 .

Email: researchgrants@getty. edu Attn: Library Research Grants Supporting a vibrant intellectual community to carry out innovative research about art and its histories Getty Scholars Program at the Villa Supporting advanced scholarship on ancient arts and cultures Pre- and Postdoctoral Fellowships Supporting early-career scholars from around the world to make substantial and original contributions to the field of art history