The J. Paul Getty Museum is pleased to announce the research theme for the 2027 – 2028 Getty Scholars Program at the Villa, “The Classical World in Context: Glocalization.” Applications for residential scholar grants are due on 1 October 2026 by 5pm PDT.

Over the arc of the first millennium BCE, the Mediterranean became the stage for an era of sustained global interaction, linking the Levant, North Africa, central Europe, Iberia, and far beyond. Novel technologies, advanced engineering, and the spread of writing and coinage underpinned dynamic economic expansion. Population movements of migrants, merchants, and mercenaries amplified social transformation at an unprecedented pace and reach.
“Glocalization” entails the processes through which such global influences were reconfigured to serve local traditions and identities. Phoenician and Greek traders, who first circumnavigated the Mediterranean Sea, anticipated the rise of Carthage’s mercantile monopolies and ultimately Rome’s imperial expansion. "Glocal" perspectives foreground the mutual co-creation between these dominant powers and diverse regional societies in which communities and individuals selectively manipulated outside commodities and ideas in the service of new artistic and cultural practices. Innovation and change took root at the crossroads of contact, in multicultural port cities, frontier zones, and religious precincts. At the Getty Villa, scholars will explore the capacity of a glocal lens to reveal nuanced historical contexts that reshaped the Mediterranean world.

The Getty Scholars Program at the Villa focuses on the Classical World in Context, a multi-year initiative to explore the interconnectivity between the ancient Mediterranean region and the cultures of Eurasia and Africa. Priority will be given to research projects that apply interdisciplinary, comparative, transregional, and diachronic approaches to art, material culture, literature, and other sources for the study of antiquity.

Deadline: 1 October 2026 by 5pm PDT

How to Apply:
The research theme statement, as well as detailed instructions, eligibility requirements, and a link to apply are available online at: https://www.getty.edu/projects/villa-scholars-program/

Eligibility:
Residential grants are available for established scholars who have attained distinction in their fields and received their PhD more than 5 years ago.

Terms:
Getty Villa Scholars are in residence for three months:
September–December, January–March, or April–June: $21,500
The grant also includes an office at the Getty Villa, research assistance, a travel stipend for your relocation to Los Angeles, an apartment in the Getty scholar housing complex, and an available healthcare option. These terms apply as of July 2024 and are subject to future changes.
See the overview of the Getty Residential Scholar and Fellow Program for further details about stipends, housing, healthcare, and more.

Application Materials:
Grant Portal
Applications are submitted through the Getty Foundation Grant Portal: https://getty.fluxx.io/user_sessions/new
When the application is open, users can create or update their account and password, log in, and begin a new application. For the best user experience, we strongly recommend use of the Google Chrome browser. You may also use Firefox or Safari. The Internet Explorer (IE) browser is not compatible with our portal.
You may return to your work at any time by visiting the portal at the link above and logging into your account.
Please note: Once you have created and saved an application form, be sure to return to work on the same form by selecting the "Applications: In Progress" link to return to your saved application. Otherwise, you may inadvertently create multiple versions of the same application.

Project Proposal:
The project proposal should not exceed 5 pages typed and double-spaced, and may include up to 5 illustrations. The proposal should include:

Project description:
How the project addresses the annual theme
How the project meaningfully contributes to the applicant’s field of scholarship
Proposed plan for study and research
Benefits to the project from the resources at the Getty

Curriculum Vitae:
The curriculum vitae (CV) is a record of all your professional activities.

Optional Writing Sample:
Applicants are welcome to submit a single writing sample in support of their proposal. It should not exceed 20 double-spaced pages in length.

Evaluation Criteria:
All applications are reviewed by a section committee comprising Getty staff and experts in fields related to the annual theme.
Getty Villa Scholar Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Applications as a whole are evaluated based on the following criteria:
Overall quality of the application, including its adherence to the annual theme
How the project would contribute to the advancement of the applicant’s field of scholarship
Applicant's past achievements
Applicant's qualifications to undertake the project
Letters of reference are not required for the Villa Scholar Grant application.

Decision Notification:
Applicants will be notified of their application outcome approximately six months after the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions:
Find answers to the most common questions we receive about our residential grant opportunities at Getty: https://www.getty.edu/funding/residential-grants/faqs/
Still have questions? Please send inquiries to villascholarsgetty.edu, Attn: Villa Scholar Grants

Address inquiries to:
Attn: (Type of Grant)
The Getty Foundation
Phone: 310.440.6295
E-mail: VillaScholarsgetty.edu; researchgrantsgetty.edu