The Theodore Rousseau Fellowship supports scholars whose projects require travel for close study of painting collections in Europe. This is the only fellowship that does not require residency at The Met. The structure of the fellowship encourages broad connections with European institutions, allowing fellows to engage with works of art, archives, and scholarly communities beyond The Met. Applicants should propose a specific, independent research project that relates to The Met collection, while pursuing complementary research in European paintings collections. Their research need not be entirely focused on European art; however, it should deeply engage with collections of paintings in Europe. PhD candidates through senior postdoctoral scholars are eligible to apply. Junior fellowships are awarded to those applicants who are working on their PhD on the application deadline date. Senior fellowships are awarded to those who hold a PhD on the application deadline date and/or are well-established scholars. Applicants who receive their PhD after the application deadline date are not eligible to move into the senior category. Junior fellows receive a stipend of $53,000 and senior fellows receive a stipend of $63,000. Both junior and senior fellows also receive an additional $6,000 for research travel (maximum of six weeks). Three letters of recommendation are required for application. Applicants must submit at least one academic and one professional letter of recommendation. All letters must be submitted in English. Official transcripts (undergraduate and graduate) are required only from predoctoral (junior) fellowship applicants. Please visit the fellowship's website or contact the Metropolitan Museum of Art for more information.