In addition to funding grants for Smithsonian programs, the SWC supports four endowment programs for Smithsonian professionals. The following is a snapshot of these SWC-funded endowments.
Fellowship in Museum Practices
The Smithsonian Office of Educational Technology (formerly the Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access) awards fellowships to academics, educators or cultural heritage practitioners whose research or practice centers on the empowerment of students, teachers and lifelong learners to access, integrate and add to the value of museum digital collections. In 2023, the Office of Educational Technology expanded the program to create the Michelle Knovic Smith Education Technology Internship, a paid internship for an undergraduate or graduate college student to work with the Smithsonian team to deepen and personalize learning by supporting use of museum resources -- including digital ones -- through research and collaboration with education partners. The intern will work with museum educators and technologists to support and evolve the Smithsonian Learning Lab software platform.
Research Training Program at the National Museum of Natural History
For undergraduate college students interested in anthropology, botany, entomology, and zoology, the National Museum of Natural History hosts a summer internship program that pairs undergraduates with research staff and unparalleled scientific research collections. As part of this program, an SWC endowment funds a 10-week internship in Washington, DC.
Renwick Gallery Endowment
As soon as the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery opened its doors, it became the nation’s premier museum dedicated to American craft. The SWC supports the Renwick Gallery’s biennial exhibition of contemporary craft, by funding a biennial lecture, symposium or a series of public programs that will increase public interest in fine crafts.
Annual Smithsonian Education Awards
The SWC has endowed three awards honoring Smithsonian employees for excellence in distance learning, educational programming, digital media, publications and exhibitions:
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The Smithsonian Education ACHIEVEMENT Award, which honors consistent and outstanding performance by an individual working in education.
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ONE SMITHSONIAN Education Award, which recognizes an outstanding education project embodying the spirit of pan-institutional internal teamwork, engagement with SI’s nationwide Pre-K-12 knowledge partners, or multi-unit collaboration within the vast Smithsonian spaces and grounds.
The Smithsonian Education INNOVATION & ACCESS Award, which recognizes an outstanding digital education project that extends the reach of the Smithsonian's creative and interactive content and enhances its relevance nationwide for Pre-K-12 educators and families.
