State Library Victoria's new look Fellowships Program launches for 2026

Leading scholars and creatives from all over Victoria and the world are invited to unlock the State Collection and discover the extraordinary, as part of the Library's exciting new 2026 Fellowships Program.

State Library Victoria fellows receive $15,000 in funding, an office in the spectacular dome annulus and a dedicated liaison librarian to support new research, advanced knowledge and exceptional creative works. 

There are 12 opportunities on offer this year: five research fellowships, six creative fellowships and one creative residency.

New for this year is an exciting partnership with UNESCO Cities of Literature, highlighting Melbourne's strong creative and knowledge ecosystems, and the Library's incredible collections, to international audiences. 

Also new is the Asian Australian Foundation Fellowship which supports the exploration of the Library's Asian Australian collections including historical resources, works by writers and creative artists, and rare printed works from Japan, China, Indonesia and Korea.

The State Library Victoria Creative Residency is another new initiative and invites creative practitioners to showcase the Library's iconic spaces and architecture as a site for experimentation, installation or performance. 

There is also extended financial support on offer to select fellows from regional Victoria, to assist with the cost of travel to Melbourne to access the Library.

Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks said:

'Victoria is proudly the creative state, and this progam gives our writers, researchers and artists the support they need to produce work that inspires us all.

'Victoria's $41.2 billion creative economy supports jobs and helps businesses thrive.'

State Library Victoria Acting CEO John Wicks said:

'The Fellowships Program embodies the Library's mission of the last 170 years: to provide universal access to knowledge. The refined program for 2026 is designed to support leading scholars and creative practitioners to unlock the State Collection and produce career-defining works.'

Expressions of Interest for the Library's Fellowships Program open on 3 March, 2026.

For a full list of the fellowships, and to apply, visit slv.vic.gov.au/fellowships.