MOIFA Now Accepting Applications for 2027 Summer Research Fellowship Program

Museum of International Folk Art (MOIFA) will host its Summer Research Fellowship Program in 2027, offering scholars, researchers, and folklorists the opportunity to spend 4–6 weeks in Santa Fe, New Mexico, conducting research on the museum’s extensive folk art collection and archives. Fellows will have access to 163,000 objects and related resources from more than 150 countries, while also engaging with MOIFA staff and the local community. A vibrant city for art and culture, Santa Fe was the first city designated as a Creative City in the United States by UNESCO, appointed in 2005 for its Craft and Folk Art community. The fellowship research period is between July 1 and August 31, 2027.

MOIFA Summer Research Fellows will receive:

• $2,500 Fellowship Honorarium
• Travel allowance to reimburse costs to and from Santa Fe (up to $1,000)
• Stipend towards lodging, per diem living costs, local transportation, and research expenses for the duration of fellowship. Please note that pets are not allowed in lodging that MOIFA identifies for Summer Research Fellows.
• Scheduled access to MOIFA’s collections, its collections database and related files, and to the Bartlett Library and Archives
• Guidance and support from staff with specialist knowledge of the collections as available. MOIFA curatorial, library/archives, education, and collections staff and volunteers can provide guidance to help fellows refine their research methodology and gain valuable insights.
• Workspace for conducting the research
• Opportunities for community immersion and connecting with local artists, other institutions, and cultural practitioners in Santa Fe, NM
• Public engagement through presenting their research and an opportunity to contribute to ongoing dialogue surrounding folk art, expressive culture, and museum studies.

The program welcomes applications from scholars, independent researchers, public folklorists, and graduate students with a strong interest in folk and traditional arts, cultural traditions, folklore, ethnomusicology, heritage studies, and museum studies. The fellowship is open to applicants of any nationality. For the 2027 program, MOIFA will prioritize applications from early career professionals, artist researchers, and scholars whose focus is African folk art.

Applications are due November 17, 2026. Notification of the award will be made in early January 2027. Email inquiries can be sent to the Program Coordinator: Carrie Hertz, PhD, Curator of Textiles & Dress.