GCA Scholarship in Garden History and Design at the Archives of American Gardens

About this program

The Garden Club of America funds the GCA Scholarship in Garden History and Design to support graduate internships (up to $7,000 for a ten-week placement) at the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Gardens or an equivalent institution, aimed at promoting study of garden history and assisting with cataloging the GCA Collection. Awards are made annually to one or more students and may be taken year‑round. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents actively enrolled in a U.S. graduate program in museum studies, public history, or information studies with coursework in collections management. Candidates should demonstrate strong attention to detail, excellent organizational, writing, and communication skills, possess required knowledge of DACS and EAD standards (photographic/visual materials experience preferred), and apply via the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System with two recommendations, transcripts, and an essay; only one GCA award application is permitted per year.