Australian historians, scholars and writers wanting to research Victoria's colonial history during Lieutenant-Governor Charles La Trobe's administration can apply for a La Trobe Society Fellowship.
The fellowship runs for three months fulltime or six months part-time and is worth $12,500.
Applications for the 2013 La Trobe Fellowships are open until Friday 22 March. Apply for a La Trobe Fellowship.
An information session will be held for applicants at 6pm on Monday 11 February at the Library's Village Roadshow Theatrette.
Guidelines & application form: La Trobe Society Fellowship
Researchers interested in Victoria's colonial history can apply for a La Trobe Society Fellowship.
The fellowship runs for three months fulltime or six months part-time and is worth $12,500. La Trobe Society Fellowships are generally awarded to applicants who don't have access to other grants.
Joint applications will not be accepted.
What is a La Trobe Society Fellowship?
The State Library of Victoria’s La Trobe Society Fellowship supports creative use and/or development of the Library collections for new work in all areas of enquiry. They aim to:
- promote the State Library as a place and centre for creative activity
- promote use of collections unique to the State Library of Victoria
- give fellows the time and space to undertake their work and
- create a community of fellows who can promote the Library and its collections through their work and their advocacy.
What does a La Trobe Society Fellowship offer?
Fellows become part of the Library community, with access to a study for the period of the fellowship, which may be used outside normal opening hours of the Library. Librarians familiar with the collections that form the focus of projects are assigned to assist each fellow. Fellows also have access to the Foundation members lounge for the duration of their fellowship.
Fellowship requirements
While research needs to be about Victoria's history during Charles La Trobe's administration as superintendent and lieutenant-governor (1839–54), it can also cover the period immediately before his arrival or the effects of his tenure after his departure.
If your application is successful, you'll need to:
- start and finish your fellowship in the 12 months immediately following the award's announcement
- make significant use of our collections
- spend at least 75 per cent of your research time at the Library
- publicly present your results at the Library and deposit a copy of your work, if applicable
- give a special presentation to the La Trobe Society and
- give The State Library of Victoria and the La Trobe Society the first opportunity to publish your findings, if applicable.
What are the criteria?
Projects must make significant use of and/or contribute to the development of the collections of the State Library of Victoria.
Project proposal must demonstrate creativity in such use and/or development of the collections of the State Library of Victoria.
How are projects selected?
Applications are shortlisted by Library staff according to the above criteria.
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.
In determining the list of recommended projects, the committee considers:
- the criteria and
- a range of disciplines and products in the recommended projects.
Following the committee meeting, Library staff contact referees for the recommended project, 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 2013.
Following the acceptance of the offers of fellowships in June, unsuccessful applicants are advised by mail.
Apply now for a La Trobe Society Fellowship
Apply now for a La Trobe Fellowship. You will receive an immediate email to let you know we have received your application.
More information
If you have specific questions about the fellowship requirements or selection process, contact Gail Schmidt at fellows@slv.vic.gov.au or on 03 8664 7335.
