Guggenheim Fellowships are grants that have been awarded annually since by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, endowed by the late Simon and Olga Hirsh Guggenheim.[1] These awards are bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated distinguished accomplishment in the past and potential for future achievement. The recipients exhibit outstanding aptitude for prolific scholarship or exceptional talent in the arts.[2] [3] [4]
The foundation holds two separate competitions each year:[5]
The performing arts are excluded from these fellowships, but composers, film directors, and choreographers are still eligible to apply. While students are not qualified to apply, advanced professionals in mid-career, such as published authors, are encouraged to do so. Upon receipt of the grant, Fellows are free to use the funds however they deem fit.[7] The goal of the grant is to provide recipients with dedicated time and freedom to pursue their projects or artistic endeavours, while being relieved of their regular duties.[8] [9] Applicants are required to submit references as well as a CV and portfolio.
As of 2023, the Guggenheim Memorial Foundation has funded over 18,000 Fellows with a total sum of almost $400 million since its inception.[10] Each year, the foundation receives a high number of applications; since its formation it has seen anywhere between 500 and 4,000 applications. Out of these, approximately 175 Fellowships are awarded.[11] The size of each grant varies and the amount and duration of the grant is adjusted based on the individual needs of the recipients,[12] taking into consideration their other resources and the purpose and scope of their plans. The average grant awarded is between $40,000 and $55,000.[13] [14]
Since the inaugural class of 1925, over 18,000 fellowships have been awarded. Harvard University counts the most affiliated fellows at 176, followed by Yale University at 102, Princeton University at 96, Berkeley at 73, and Columbia University at 72.[15]
| Institution | data-sort-type="number" | Fellows (1925-2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University† | 176 | |
| Yale University | 102 | |
| Princeton University | 96 | |
| University of California, Berkeley | 73 | |
| Columbia University† | 72 | |
| Stanford University | 65 | |
| University of Chicago | 64 | |
| Cornell University | 54 | |
| University of Pennsylvania | 51 | |
| University of Michigan | 41 |
† Harvard includes Radcliffe and Columbia includes Barnard