Applications are now open for the 2026 Fellowships offered by the National Library of Australia. Researchers and creative writers are encouraged to apply for nine philanthropically funded Fellowships offered by the National Library of Australia in 2026.
This year, the amount of financial assistance has increased, with a total of $315,000 of funding available. Successful applicants will each receive $35,000 to support a sustained residency at the National Library in Canberra, as well as supported access to the Library’s collections, increased borrowing privileges, a dedicated desk in the Library’s Petherick Reading Room, and an allowance for high resolution digital copies of collection materials.
National Library of Australia Fellowships are open to experienced researchers needing to undertake sustained work with the Library’s collections to advance their research towards publication or other public outcomes. Research may be in any field that can be supported by the National Library’s collections, with specific Fellowships also available for those working in the areas of Asian studies, Australian literature, and Australian rural, regional or environmental history.
The Creative Arts Fellowship for Australian Writing is open to creative writers, working in any literary genre, to develop creative works inspired by the Library’s collections. This may include writing for performance, poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, personal essays or graphic novels.
Learn more about the National Library of Australia Fellowships and Creative Arts Fellowship, including information on eligibility, information on previous projects and online application forms.
Applications for National Library of Australia Fellowships and the Creative Arts Fellowship will close on Monday 5 May 2025.