National Library of Australia Fellowships
Applications for the 2022 National Library Fellowships program are now open, and close at 5pm (AEST), Monday 26 April 2021.
The National Library of Australia, in partnership with its generous sponsors and donors, offers researchers an opportunity to undertake a 12-week residency at the Library. Applicants may work in any field or discipline where the Library's collections have appropriate depth and breadth to support the desired outcomes.
Fellowships are available to researchers who require onsite access to the Library’s uniquely held or extensive collections to advance their research towards publication or other public outcomes. Fellowships will:
- contribute to a greater public understanding or knowledge of the Library’s collections
- promote discussion through research which informs and engages contemporary discourse.
- enhance the national and international reputation of the National Library as an institution of major research significance.
- actively promote the research experience and outcomes
Fellowships are open to individuals with research at any stage of development, as well as those undertaking research which forms part of a larger project. When an individual is contributing to a collaborative project, they must demonstrate their own research component.
The period of Fellowship research may lead to longer-term outcomes, rather than immediate publication or public outcomes. The Library does not expect Fellows to compete a body of work during the residency.
As part of the residency, all Fellows will benefit from:
- a sustained period of research based on the Library’s collections
- special and supported access to collections
- access to the Fellows room, with full office facilities and a personal workstation
- copies of collection materials (within reasonable limits and according to access and copyright conditions)
Funded Fellowships will also receive the following financial support:
- an honorarium of AUD $1,000 per week for 12 weeks
- accommodation support of AUD $700 per week for 12 weeks if required (not payable to residents in the Canberra region)
- reimbursement of travel costs equivalent to one return domestic airfare to Canberra (not payable to residents in the Canberra region), subject to substantiation of the expenditure. Reimbursement of international travel is capped at AUD $2,500, and limited to one return flight.
Please note: Fellowships are awarded to an individual. Funding will be paid directly to the individual for the purposes of supporting their Fellowship. Payments are made in two installments in week 1 and week 6 of the Fellowship. Any other arrangements between the individual and their employer are the individual’s responsibility. As Fellowship support may have tax implications, it is recommended Fellows seek professional financial advice.
Fellowship categories
Up to seven funded Fellowships are available: four are for research on any subject, and three are for particular fields of research. The funded Fellowships available are:
- Three Fellowships supported by the Stokes Family, on any subject
- One Fellowship supported by past and present members of the National Library Council and Patrons, on any subject
- Two Fellowships supported by the Harold S. Williams Trust specifically for research in Japan Studies. Harold S Williams donated his personal collection on Japan and the West to the Library in 1979 and his bequest has enabled the Library to support research using the Japanese language collections or other collections relating to Japan.
- One Fellowship for research in Australian Literature, supported by Ray Mathew and Eva Kollsman. A bequest was made to the Library by Eva Kollsman in honour of the Australian poet, dramatist and writer Ray Mathew (1929-2002) to support and promote Australian literary research and writing.
Additional Honorary Fellowships, which do not include financial support, may also be offered to meritorious applicants.
You may apply for a funded or Honorary Fellowship, or for both, indicating a willingness to accept an Honorary Fellowship if offered. Honorary Fellowships provide similar collection access and office facilities, and may suit salaried academics receiving support from their universities for study leave or academics whose projects are already funded but access to the collections is critical.
Eligibility
Fellowships are open to:
- Australian residents, including individuals living in Canberra or within easy access to the Library, noting that:
- Independent scholars from the Canberra region may receive the honorarium, if required, but will not receive accommodation or travel support.
- Salaried academics from the Canberra region are eligible only for Honorary Fellowships.
- International residents providing they are eligible to apply for a visa. International residents will be responsible for securing their visas.
You cannot apply if:
- your research forms part of any educational assessment including a PhD thesis or Masters project
- you have received a Fellowship at the National Library within the last 5 years
- your research is towards writing a literary work or creating an artistic work. These projects are supported through the National Library’s Creative Arts Fellowships.
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.