Skip to main content

Submit

Bringing art and science together to inspire innovation

Submit a proposal

The Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts welcomes research proposals and visiting scholars to collaborate on innovative, cross-disciplinary projects in objects-based and objects-inspired research.

We seek proposals which strike a balance between object-based (for example the study of a specific work of art, or groups of objects) and objected-inspired work (for example the development of new investigation methods or testing of a new conservation treatment). Proposed projects are expected to require significant technical expertise in addition to access to facilities. External proposals are expected from cultural institutions that do not have access to research facilities, as well as from museum or university scientists who lack highly specialized equipment. The projects are financially supported by the Center.

The goals of the program are to enrich the breadth, scope, and reach of scientific studies in the arts and in the wider field of conservation in the US and abroad, by leveraging resources at the Center’s resources at the Art Institute of Chicago and materials- and computer science departments at Northwestern University.

The Center, funded by the Mellon Foundation, is the first of its kind to make its resources open to both internal and external users via merit-review proposals. This framework offers a unique opportunity to pursue a double-pronged approach to both objects-based and objects-inspired scientific research in the arts.

External research program

The external research program is intended to launch short- or long-term collaborative research projects focused on:

Joint research projects are expected to be conducted by scientific staff of the Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts in collaboration with Northwestern faculty, Art Institute of Chicago staff, and the external applicants. Proposed projects are expected to require significant expertise rather than simply access to facilities.

Visiting scholars

Applicants who may wish to make use of the Center directly to carry out their proposed projects may also apply for visiting research scholarships. The Center is able to assist in the arrangement of visa applications for visiting research scholars who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. For more information on the requirements of the Northwestern J-1 visa process, visit the J-1 Exchange Visitors webpage of the Office of International Students and Scholars.

Deadlines

The deadlines for receipt of proposals will be April 15, 2025 and October 15, 2025.

Required Application Materials

Applications should be submitted online and include:

APPLY ONLINE

Review and Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by members of the Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts Peer Review Panel composed of both internal and external reviewers of international stature in the fields of conservation and conservation science, materials science, chemistry, art history, archaeology, environmental science, and/or computer science.

The selection will be based primarily on merit review criteria such as the scientific quality and originality of the proposed work. The applications should aim to increase the scholarly output (qualitatively and quantitatively) of scientific studies in the arts, optimize the use of the Center's facilities and expertise, foster lasting national and international scientific cooperation, and include elements of outreach to broader audiences across disciplinary boundaries.

The Center will not accept project proposals that have restrictions on the dissemination of the research results. All publications shall acknowledge support from the Mellon Foundation.

Questions?

You may direct inquiries to Miriam Williams, Project Coordinator for the Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts: miriam.williams@northwestern.edu

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Educator and Employer and invites applications from all qualified individuals. Applications from women and minorities are especially sought.

Back to top