Graduate Internships

Internships are open to students of all nationalities. Individuals from groups underrepresented across the fields of art history, conservation, and museums are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must be:

Students currently enrolled in a graduate program* in a field relevant to the internship(s) for which they are applying

or

Individuals who have completed a relevant graduate degree* on or after January 1, 2024, with postgraduate experience in their field (paid or unpaid)

*Eligible graduate programs include Master of Arts (M.A.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.), graduate conservation certificates, or an international equivalent

Internships are located at the Getty Center in Los Angeles or the Getty Villa in Malibu. All positions are full-time for 12 months from September 13, 2027 through August 25, 2028.

The grant amount is $52,500 for twelve months, plus $1,500 towards relocation expenses. Interns receive seven days of paid vacation and all holidays observed by Getty. Housing is not provided. Support for research travel for up to $3,000 is provided for each participant. Graduate Interns are eligible to enroll in the Getty's health care plan. Please note that grant funds may be subject to federal and state taxes and deductions. Please see important information about the terms of these grants here.

J-1 Exchange Visitor Visas - Foreign nationals living abroad must be eligible to enter the U.S. with a J-1 visa in the Intern or Trainee category to participate in a Getty internship program.

F-1 Student Visas – Foreign nationals who are currently studying in the US on an F-1 visa must be able to maintain their F-1 status for the entire duration of the intern program. If you have graduated from a U.S. school, you must comply with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requirements of the F-1 visa work authorization programs.

Applicants applying for Post-Completion OPT and applying to extend their status must be approved before the program begins in September and maintain status through August. Please note that Getty does not meet the STEM OPT employment requirements.

Students who are in F-1 status when submitting a Getty internship application but who will not be able to maintain their F1 status for the duration of the internship must allow for sufficient time outside the U.S. before applying for a J-1 visa.

Please reach out to OSIP (osip@getty.edu) in advance of submitting your application if you have questions about your eligibility.

Detailed information on visa categories and eligibility requirements is available from the Getty's Office of Scholars, Interns, and Professionals (OSIP). OSIP provides centralized administrative assistance, including support for the visa process, to Getty Trust grant recipients such as Graduate Interns, before and during their residence at the Getty.

Current resumes are required for all applicants. Please limit resumes to five pages. Please also provide the start and end dates (including the month and the year) for all work experience or education.

Your personal statement should consist of no more than 500 words (two double-spaced pages) that explain how your Getty internship selections (choose two in order of preference) fit with your background and career goals. Include the reasons for your choice of specific departments or programs for an internship. Also describe what you hope to achieve from the experience and what you believe you can contribute.

We require transcripts/academic records for undergraduate degree/s (completed) and graduate degree/s (completed or in progress). Multiple transcripts must be combined into a single PDF before upload. Please be aware that we may request hardcopies of official transcripts/academic records later in the evaluation process.

-If you graduated from a school outside of the United States, transcripts may be substituted with proof of completed courses and/or copies of diploma(s).

-If you are currently enrolled in a graduate program, provide proof of current enrollment (for example, your most recent transcript or academic record).

Applicants must request two confidential letters of recommendation submitted directly by their recommenders through the application system. Please note that additional letters will not be considered. Letters must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on November 4, 2025. Typically, the most appropriate recommenders are university faculty members who can address your academic performance. Other recommenders may include past or current employers in relevant fields who are familiar with your skills and abilities.

To request letters of recommendation, provide the name and contact information of your recommenders in the "Letters of Recommendation" section of the online application. Getty will automatically contact your recommenders via email through the application system. You will be able to monitor your account to confirm that the letters have been submitted.

F-1 Visa holders are required to submit a copy of their I-20 form AND a letter from their PDSO/DSO confirming that they are eligible to maintain F-1 status through CPT from September to August. If the applicant is not eligible for CPT, please see note on OPT in Foreign Nationals - Visa Requirements section. 

Applications are submitted through our Fluxx grant portal. 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 when accessing Fluxx.

You may return to your work at any time by visiting the portal at the link above and logging into your account.

Please note: due to the large volume of applications received, staff are unable to respond to application-related questions once the deadline has passed. Finalists will be contacted for interviews in January 2027. All applicants will be notified of the Getty Foundation's decision in the spring of 2027.