The Fellowships Program is open to creatives, writers, researchers, educators, curators, musicians, composers and visual artists. You can practise in any form of expression or research discipline.

You’ll need to meet the eligibility criteria, including capacity for and demonstrated success with self-directed research, and a track record of impactful work.

We encourage people who are Indigenous Australian Aboriginal, culturally and linguistically diverse, LGBTIQA+, disabled or Deaf to apply.

We expect fellows to:

• deliver a mid‑term work‑in‑progress presentation or written report, and a final public‑facing outcome (find out more in our program guidelines)
• be available for internal and external media interviews
• contribute content to the Library’s internal and external channels to promote and showcase the program
• acknowledge the Library’s (and partner’s where appropriate) support and use approved Library branding in any publication or promotion of the fellowship project.

Funding is based on the full-time equivalent of 3 months of work, but you’ll have access to a desk at the Library for 12 months. You can complete your project in a single 3-month block, or spread your work across the year.

There’s no minimum amount of time you need to spend in the building – you can balance your time between working remotely or in your office at the Library.

We encourage you to spend time at the Library to research the collection or the site, and be part of our fellowship community. We expect you to take part in at least two cohort events during your term. You’ll be given details when your fellowship begins.

From 1 August 2026 – 30 June 2027. Your work will be funded for a total of 3 months (continuous or split). You must complete your fellowship by 30 June 2027, but can request a later date for your final outcome if agreed with the Library.

Dedicated desk space, access to meeting rooms (subject to availability), and staff expertise (curatorial, research support). We don’t have a wet studio for art practices such as painting, ceramics or fabric dyeing.

You’ll be allocated a Liaison Librarian to support your research and project. 

The Liaison Librarian will:

• introduce you to the services, collections and staff you can draw on during your fellowship
• support you to become an independent researcher and user of library services
• provide a regular, friendly point of contact
• refer you to other staff and services where appropriate.

The Fellowship Program team can:

• support further funding applications, such as providing a letter of support
• provide intermittent guidance and conversations about your project
• coordinate access services and consultants as needed
• help with networking opportunities and connections within the Library community
• invite you to join the fellowships alumni community.

No. Submit one EOI per year and select the single stream that best fits your project.

No. Choose one or more focus areas within a stream, and you’ll be allocated to the appropriate fellowship if successful.

Yes. If your project spans multiple focus areas within your chosen stream, you may choose more than one.

Yes, up to two applicants can submit an EOI for a joint fellowship.

An EOI allows us to assess project alignment with the selection criteria early. By using a streamlined EOI, which is shorter than a full application, we reduce work for both applicants and assessors. This ensures time is invested in projects with high potential and feasibility. Following a panel review, we may ask for more information to support your EOI.

Eligible submissions are assessed by a panel made up of expert Library staff and external subject matter experts. The panel assesses submissions against the four selection criteria.

These fellowships are assessed by dedicated selection committees made up of people from philanthropic and partner organisations:

• Tate Adams Memorial Fellowship
• Redmond Barry Fellowship
• Georges Mora Fellowship

If you’re shortlisted, we might contact you for clarification or more information before making a decision.

We’ll notify applicants in three stages:

• Late April – eligibility checks.
• Late May – notify shortlisted applicants.
• Early/mid-July – notify successful applicants.

We’ll notify both successful and unsuccessful applicants at each assessment stage.

We don’t provide individual feedback on unsuccessful EOIs, but we encourage you to read through the assessment report (available after the selection results). We hope you’ll consider submitting again in a future year.

We can’t provide dedicated applicant support, but you’re welcome to use our Ask A Librarian service.

We don’t encourage or discourage AI use in the written part of the EOI, but we do need you to disclose if you’ve used it. You can do this by selecting ‘Yes’ to the question ‘Did you use AI in this Application?’ on the form, and explaining how it was used in the free-text field.

No, unfortunately we’re unable to offer individual assistance with your EOI. Refer to the program guidelines for all the application requirements. If you need extra support related to access and/or inclusion, contact Alanah Guiry from Arts Access Australia: aguiry@artsaccess.com.au or 03 8640 6020.

Email fellows@slv.vic.gov.au or call 03 8664 7475 with details and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Yes, if you are based in Australia and eligible to work in the country for the whole fellowship period.

You’re welcome to apply if you live outside Victoria, provided you meet all eligibility criteria and can be at the Library when required. We are unable to cover travel costs for interstate fellows, above and beyond the fellowship payment.

We only accept international applications for the ‘UNESCO Cities of Literature’ and the ‘England in the Early Modern period’ focus areas. You must have an appropriate temporary visa to undertake the fellowship in Australia. We can provide an invitation letter, but we’re unable to support with visa applications or sponsorship.

The National Association for Visual Arts (NAVA) has set benchmarks for mid‑career/established practitioners, including track record of public outcomes, peer recognition and sustained practice. For Creative Fellowships and Residencies, you need to meet these benchmarks. You should show relevant outputs and experience commensurate with your proposal.

Yes, as long as your project does not form part of exam requirements, or count towards a degree or similar qualification.

For the Redmond Barry Fellowship, you cannot claim paid study leave for your Fellowship.

This focus area is open only to applicants based in other UNESCO Cities of Literature internationally. You can apply via the Research Fellowships stream.

As a general rule, we make payments in instalments tied to the following milestones:

1. Agreement signed: $10,000
2. Final outcome: $5000

You can negotiate an alternative payment schedule with the Fellowships team.

Successful applicants for the two regional Victoria focus areas can apply for an additional travel and accommodation allowance of up to $7500 to support costs associated with undertaking the fellowship. You should outline how you plan to use the allowance in your EOI.

You’ll be paid the allowance directly upon signing the agreement, and don’t need to provide receipts. You will need to provide a short acquittal summary at the end of your fellowship.

Typical costs include project time, materials, research expenses, travel and accommodation (as needed), collaborator fees and access support.

We may provide in‑kind support for your final outcome such as:

• access to Library spaces (subject to availability)
• production and operational advice and support
• curatorial or editorial guidance
• help with public presentation or documentation.

However, we can’t guarantee full funding or resourcing for all aspects of your final outcome. You might need to adapt your plans to suit available resources, timelines and public safety requirements.

We recommend seeking financial advice that considers your personal circumstances.

Yes, provided the Library fellowship supports distinct, eligible activities and does not duplicate funding by other grants. You should declare all confirmed and pending funding in your EOI, and explain why this fellowship would be beneficial to your project.

For the Redmond Barry Fellowship, you must not have received or administered a grant or other University of Melbourne-derived funding for your project, and you cannot claim paid study leave for the fellowship period.

A public‑facing outcome appropriate to your stream, such as a talk, essay, article, digital work, exhibition element, performance excerpt, activation or written report.

Outcomes are mutually agreed with the Library, and must be feasible for a public library environment.

We may provide in‑kind advice and support (production, technical, curatorial/editorial, space access), subject to availability. We can’t guarantee full funding or resourcing for all aspects of the final outcome.

Refer to the outcomes section of the program guidelines for full details.

By submitting an EOI, you agree that the assessment panel and Fellowship Program administrators will read the contents. You will always retain the copyright and IP for your work. The Library and any applicable partners need to be acknowledged in all public presentation of the work. The Library and any applicable partners hold first right of refusal to present/publish/program future work arising from the project.

The Library has the first opportunity to present, publish, exhibit or program future work arising from the project within five years of the end of the fellowship, before you offer it elsewhere. You must notify the Library of any further public events, programs or publications in connection with your fellowship.

The University of Melbourne has first right of refusal for the final outcome of the Redmond Barry fellowship.

If your EOI is successful, you’ll discuss outcome timelines with the Fellowships team and can negotiate reasonable adjustments. If you can’t deliver a full final outcome by 30 June 2027, we may ask for an interim report instead.

If your application has an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander focus/content, you need to show a connection to the relevant communities.

This could be in the form of either:

• a letter of support from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation
• a joint fellowship application with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant, if you’re not Indigenous.
• Once you have a letter of support, you’ll also need to talk to the Victorian Indigenous Research Centre at the Library before you apply. Make an appointment between Tuesday 3 March and Tuesday 31 March 2026 by contacting the VIRC Support Officer on 03 8664 7174 or by emailing the centre at virc@slv.vic.gov.au.

Observing and following cultural protocols is necessary to ensure the cultural integrity of a project.

We use the SmartyGrants online portal for fellowship applications. In this portal you can submit your EOI in audio, video or written format.

If SmartyGrants isn’t accessible for you, contact us and we’ll be happy to discuss other options. Please allow at least 5 days prior to the closing date for these requests. These could include:

• a Word document of the EOI
• an Auslan video (we can arrange Auslan interpretation if needed)
• an audio file.

Arts Access Victoria can provide access support with your application. They can review your draft EOI, help you compile support material, or help you complete the form. For information about access support, contact Alanah Guiry: aguiry@artsaccess.com.au or 03 8640 6020.

For more information, visit the Arts Access Victoria website.

We want to know how we can best support your EOI in the Fellowship Program. There’s an optional section in the EOI form where you’re welcome to outline your access requirements.

If your EOI is successful, we’ll meet to talk about what we can do to support your access needs.

In the EOI process, you can apply for an extra $1000 to support your access needs. You can use this money for things like transport, interpreters, equipment or anything else that will support your access to the program.

While we do our best to make the Library and its collections accessible to all visitors, it is a heritage site and there are some limitations.

The Library catalogue is not accessible via a braille computer. If you use a braille computer, we’ll support you to search the collection and will provide material in accessible formats where possible. There may be up to a 6-week turnaround for accessible formats, and not all material can be digitised in this way. Contact us if you have specific questions on this.

The Library site is a heritage building with wheelchair access to most of the venues and offices. However, wayfinding can be complex for some spaces. We will work through pathways with fellows as needed. Not all areas of Baldessin Studio are wheelchair accessible at this stage. Find out more about accessibility at Baldessin on their website.

Details about the accessibility of the Fellowship offices can be found on the accessibility information page.