The Berry Family Fellowship carries a grant of $12,500 for a project exploring an aspect of the social history of Melbourne or Victoria, based on the State Library collections.
It is offered every second year to commemorate the contribution of the Berry family to the cultural life of Melbourne and Victoria.
Please note: this fellowship is not being offered in 2013.
What are the criteria?
Projects must make significant use of the collections of the State Library of Victoria.
Project proposal must demonstrate original use of the collections of the State Library of Victoria.
Projects for Berry Family Fellowships must explore an aspect of the social history of Melbourne or Victoria.
How are projects selected?
Applications are shortlisted by Library staff according to the key criteria of significant use of the Library collections, and original use of the Library collections.
Shortlisted applications are provided to an independent expert committee of the Library Board of Victoria, along with the complete list of all applications. Committee members are able to call in to consideration applications that are not on the shortlist.
The committee may recommend a shorter fellowship than that requested, or an honorary fellowship in place of a fellowship that carries a grant.
Following the committee meeting, Library staff contact referees for recommended projects, and subject to favourable reports, the recommended projects are presented to the Library Board at its June meeting.
The Board considers the recommendation and awards fellowships for commencement on or after 1 July.
Following the acceptance of the offers of fellowships in June, unsuccessful applicants are advised by mail.
What are the requirements?
Successful applicants will be required to:
- take up the fellowship in the twelve month period from 1 July
- make significant use of the resources of the State Library of Victoria
- spend at least 75 per cent of their research time at the State Library of Victoria
- give due acknowledgement of the Library’s support in any publication, presentation or performance of the work
Where it is appropriate or desirable, fellows will be invited to:
- deposit a copy of their work in the collection of the State Library
- give the State Library the first opportunity to publish the results of the fellowship
- give a public presentation on the results of their creative activity or research
What happens to my intellectual property?
All copyright in the works created by a fellow during the course of a fellowship continues to vest in the creator.
More information
If you have specific questions about the Berry Family Fellowship requirements or selection process, contact Gail Schmidt at fellows@slv.vic.gov.au or on 03 8664 7335.
