The Smithsonian Institution

Queensland has a longstanding and very productive research relationship with the Smithsonian Institution—the world’s largest museum and research complex.

Photo of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.Open larger image

The Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Photo credit: © Hugh Talman and James Di Loreto, Smithsonian Institution.

Established in 2000 our Memorandum of Understanding (PDF, 537.6KB) has resulted in numerous successful collaborations and two prestigious fellowships.

Fellowships

This program creates an invaluable exchange of skills and knowledge for Queensland and the United States of America, and enhances our science, educational and cultural capabilities.

Valued at $25,000 and $20,000 respectively, the Queensland-Smithsonian and Queensland-Cooper-Hewitt fellowship programs are helping advance global knowledge in:

  • eco and life sciences
  • social sciences and education
  • museum management
  • the arts and design

The Fellowship programs are designed to address areas of mutual interest between Queensland and the Smithsonian Institution. Since 2001, 65 Queensland fellows have been funded.

View past and current projects that have been conducted by Queensland-Smithsonian and Queensland-Cooper-Hewitt fellows.

Note: The Fellowship Grant program was on hold while international travel restrictions were in place. Given restrictions are easing the restart of the program is under review.

Events program

In response to the global travel restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic we are connecting with the Smithsonian Institution through the online Queensland-Smithsonian Speaker Series.

The next scheduled event is: August 2022, topic to be confirmed.

Past events available for viewing online

  1. Digital futures for scientific collections
    27 May 2021
    See event program (PDF, 348.0KB)
    View recordings of the event by following the below links:
  2. Fire: Recovery and Resilience
    24 August 2021
    See event program (PDF, 493.6KB)
    View event recording
  3. Oceans: life on the edge
    16 November 2021
    See event program (PDF, 477.0KB)
    View event recording
  4. Seasonal migrations: transiting environments
    16 June 2022
    See event program (PDF, 463.7KB)
    View event recording