Fellowships
The Library offers a number of prestigious and competitive fellowships to support the study, writing and teaching of Australian history and culture.
Fellowships
Coral Thomas Fellowship
Applications open on Monday, 12 May 2025 at 9 am.
$110,000 - Encourages deep and focused research into Australian culture, history and society, drawing on Australian and international research collections.
Australian Religious History Fellowship
Applications open on Monday, 13 May 2024 at 9 am.
$20,000 - The study and research of any aspects of Australian religious history of any faith.
CH Currey Memorial Fellowship
Applications open on Monday, 13 May 2024 at 9 am.
$20,000 - For the writing of Australian history from original sources, preferably making use of the resources of the State Library of NSW.
Dr AM Hertzberg AO Fellowship
Applications open on Monday, 13 May 2024 at 9 am.
$25,000 - Research into the history of Australian industry using the resources of the State Library of NSW.
Nancy Keesing AM Fellowship
Applications open on Monday, 13 May 2024 at 9 am.
$25,000 - Research into aspects of Australian life and culture using the resources of the State Library of NSW.
Merewether Fellowship
Applications open on Monday, 13 May 2024 at 9 am.
$12,000 - The research and writing of 19th century NSW history using the resources of the State Library of NSW.
David Scott Mitchell Memorial Fellowship
Applications open on Monday, 13 May 2024 at 9 am.
$12,000 - The research and writing of Australian history using the resources of the State Library of NSW.
Ross Steele AM Fellowship
Applications open on Monday, 13 May 2024 at 9 am.
$12,000 - Supports research into the State Library of NSW pictorial collections.
NSW Aboriginal Creative Fellowship
NSW Aboriginal Creative Fellowship is a fellowship program in partnership with Create NSW and the State Library of NSW.
Jean Arnot Memorial Fellowship
Awarded annually to a female librarian or female student of librarianship for an outstanding original paper of no more than 5000 words on any aspect of librarianship.
Research and Residencies
Visiting scholars
Applications open on Monday, 13 May 2024 at 9 am.
Fostering writing, research and study.
Artist in Residence
Creative artists are invited to interpret or respond to the Library’s public and behind-the-scenes interior spaces or our collections.
More information
Fellowships FAQs
No. Applicants can only submit one application for a Fellowship each year but may submit applications for multiple Fellowships in a year. For example, you cannot submit two, or more, different applications for the David Scott Mitchell Memorial Fellowship (see also the next question).
Yes. Applicants will often submit applications for multiple Fellowships. For example, applicants will often submit the same application for both the David Scott Mitchell Memorial Fellowship and the Merewether Fellowship. Similarly, applicants will often submit the same application for both the CH Currey Memorial Fellowship and the Nancy Keesing AM Fellowship.
Yes. Applicants will often submit different applications for multiple Fellowships. For example, an applicant could submit the same application for both the David Scott Mitchell Memorial Fellowship and the Merewether Fellowship, but submit a different application for the Australian Religious History Fellowship.
Late applications can be accepted in exceptional circumstances. Contact the Mitchell Librarian prior to the closing date, via email at scholarship@sl.nsw.gov.au.
No. Applicants do not need to be an Australian citizen or Australian resident. Applicants are, however, expected to engage with the collections at the State Library of NSW (note the exceptions of the Coral Thomas Fellowship, the Dr AM Hertzberg AO Fellowship and the Australian Religious History Fellowship which can draw on Library collections as well as any collection at any other repository).
Fellowship events
Be connected to Scholarship
Get in touch
Phone: +61 2 9273 1765
Email: scholarship@sl.nsw.gov.au
Scholarship
Division of the Mitchell Librarian and Engagement
State Library of New South Wales
1 Shakespeare Place
SYDNEY NSW 2000 Australia
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