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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
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Department of Entomology

Opportunities

Visiting Researcher

The Department welcomes qualified scholars and professionals from around the world who are interested in utilizing the collections and facilities of the NMNH for on-site research and study. Visiting researchers must request a visit well in advance of the anticipated arrival to ensure approvals, availability of collections, appropriate workspace, and other details. Researchers must comply with all export compliance regulations. For additional information contact the staff member appropriate for your area of research interest. (See listings under Collections Access.)

S.W. Williston Diptera Research Award

Students as wel as established dipterists pursuing research on Diptera are encouraged to apply for funds through the Williston Diptera Research Fund. The S.W. Williston Diptera Research Fund is a Smithsonian Institution administered endowment fund established for the increase and diffusion of knowledge about Diptera.

About US$6,000 are available from the endowment annually. The fund has supported the travel of graduate students and dipterists to the International Congresses of Dipterology, to our museum for collections-based research, and to participate in Fly School. The fund has also supported field-work for taxonomic or systematic research.

Fellowships

Fellowships provide an opportunity for scholars to conduct resident, independent study under the guidance of an NMNH staff advisor.  

Fellowships for research and study in the Department are available through the Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program (SIFP), which provides funding for graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, and senior investigators to conduct research in association with Smithsonian scientists. Fellowship durations range from three months to three years depending on the fellowship category.

The Department hosts fellows through the Peter Buck Fellowship Program for full-time, resident, independent research focused on utilizing the NMNH collections and facilities.  Multi-year postdoctoral fellowships are generally awarded, often paired with first year awards through the Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program (SIFP), to external postdoctoral scholars who have received a Ph.D. or equivalent within the last five years.
 

For a complete listing of fellowship opportunities available for placement at NMNH visit the Smithsonian Office of Internships & Fellowships.

Internships

Internships offer undergraduate, graduate, and advanced high school students a mentor-guided experience designed to meet their learning objectives.  Visit the Smithsonian Office of Internship Programs for complete listings and information.

Natural History Research Experiences (NHRE) is a 10-week summer internship program hosted at the National Museum of Natural History. NHRE interns work closely with scientific mentors to complete independent research projects.

For a complete listing of internship opportunities at the Smithsonian, many available for placement at NMNH visit the Smithsonian Office of Internship Programs

Volunteering

The Department hosts many volunteers who assist in research and collections tasks. A minimum commitment of 3 consecutive months is required and at least 6 hours per week.

For more information visit our volunteer page.