Grant Foundation

John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation

Funding & creative support1 open opportunity listed

About the foundation

The John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, established in 1925 by Senator Simon Guggenheim and his wife Olga in memory of their son John, is a private philanthropic institution dedicated to supporting exceptional individuals in the arts, humanities, and sciences. From its inception, the Foundation has sought to identify and nurture talent at critical junctures in creative careers, providing fellowships that enable recipients to work with as much creative freedom as possible. The Foundation's mission is rooted in a belief in the transformative power of individual genius and the importance of unfettered inquiry and expression. Over nearly a century, it has awarded fellowships to thousands of artists, writers, scholars, and scientists, many of whom have gone on to make seminal contributions to their fields. The Guggenheim Fellowship is not project-based but rather a recognition of a candidate's prior achievements and exceptional promise, offering a stipend for a period of typically six to twelve months. The Foundation's commitment to excellence and its rigorous, confidential selection process have made the fellowship one of the most prestigious honors in the creative and intellectual world.

Funding opportunities

1 listed

OpenDeadline · 2026-10-25

John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation — Guggenheim Fellowships in Creative Arts

View opportunity Official listing

Application guidance

The Guggenheim Fellowship application is open to citizens and permanent residents of the United States and Canada who are mid-career professionals in the arts, humanities, and sciences. There are no age restrictions, but the Foundation typically supports individuals who have already demonstrated a significant body of work. Applicants must submit a detailed application, including a career summary, a statement of plans for the fellowship period, and samples of recent work. The selection process is highly competitive, with fewer than 200 fellows chosen annually from thousands of applicants. It is advisable to apply when you have a substantial and coherent body of work that shows a clear trajectory. The Foundation does not fund projects that are part of a degree program or that have already been completed. Letters of recommendation are not required, but the application includes a section for references. The deadline is typically in September, and awards are announced in April. Given the fellowship's prestige, applicants should present their most accomplished and representative work, and articulate how the fellowship would enable them to advance their creative or scholarly practice. It is also recommended to review the list of past fellows to understand the caliber of work that is recognized.