Fellowships and scholarships

Explore opportunities

Group of men and women, standing and sitting together on the National Library podium

National Library Fellows and Scholars, March 2024

National Library of Australia Fellowships

Financial and research support for experienced researchers in various fields and disciplines.

Woman, Dr Christina Thompson, standing in the Special Collections Reading Room, leaning on a table with a large portrait on it and smiling

2023 Creative Arts Fellow in Australian Writing, Dr Christina Thompson

Creative Arts Fellowship

For creative writers researching a new body of work inspired or informed by the Libary's collections.

Two men and a woman leaning on the glass railing on the National Library podium and smiling

2024 National Library of Australia Scholars Tandee Wang, Jacinta Mackay, & Scott McCarthy

National Library of Australia Scholarships

For PhD students who require access to the Library’s collections to assist their postgraduate research.

Our purpose

We support innovative research and artistic endeavours by helping researchers immerse themselves in our unique collections. Our programs aim to stimulate scholarly, literary, and artistic endeavours while fostering community engagement.

How you benefit

As a scholar or fellow, you will have time and space to explore our collections. You will also receive expert staff support, financial assistance, and have unique opportunities to share your work.

Who should apply

Our programs support researchers, artists, writers and PhD students across diverse disciplines, backgrounds, and career stages. We welcome applications from culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with a disability and First Nations people.

Latest news and blogs

Woman, Jacinta Mackay, sitting in front of a window looking into the Main Reading Room with a large globe on the other side

2024 National Library of Australia Scholar Jacinta Mackay

Bridging the gap between history and culturally safe nursing

Learn about Jacinta Mackay's NLA Scholarship research using the Bringing Them Home oral history recordings.

Dr Tets Kimura smiling and sitting at a table in the Special Collections Reading Room with material relating to Japanese fashion spread out in front of him

2023 National Library of Australia Fellow, Dr Tets Kimura

Japanese fashion: History, evolution, influences and meaning

Hear from Dr Tets Kimura about his research, his time at the Library and what he’s doing next.

Hand holding an old notebook with handwritten text. In the background is a stack of books and an old map.

Echoes of bushranging days, 1821, nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2744957

Announcing the recipients of the 2025 National Library of Australia Fellowships, Scholarships and Asia Study Grants

Congratulations to the 23 recipients of National Library of Australia Fellowships, Scholarships, Creative Arts Fellowships and Asia Study Grants in 2025.

Research presentations

A large book sitting propped open on a red piece of material. The left hand page shows text that reads '1. Exhibit me' and the right hand page shows a stamped black ink image.

Wendy Muche, Meatshop [detail], 1984, nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2866647. Photograph courtesy of Dr Caren Florance.

Strange pages: Investigating artists' books with Dr Caren Florance

Dr Caren Florance presented a lecture on her 2024 National Library Fellowship research into artists' books (books made by artists as art).

Four men seated at a table and one man sitting behind them

Sir Percy Spender, Photograph from Box 13 of the Spender Papers, Papers of Sir Percy Spender, 1937-1978, nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2759673

Australia's Journey with the World Bank with Dr Nicholas Ferns

Dr Nicholas Ferns presented a lecture on his 2024 National Library Fellowship research into the history of the relationship between Australia and the World Bank, with a particular focus on the connections between international finance and national development.

A crowd of people on a stage holding placards.

Sabine Friedrich, Performance of Worth Fighting For at 2024 National Folk Festival

Something Worth Fighting For: Aussie protest songs with John Shortis

John Shortis presented his 2024 National Folk Fellowship research into Australian protest songs.

Browse more from our Fellows

2023. Madeleine Pugin, National Library of Australia 2022 Scholarship recipient, standing behind the Boab100 work by artists from Waringarri Aboriginal Arts.

Support curious minds to create new knowledge

Our Fellowship and Scholarship programs enables outstanding academic researchers, younger scholars, and creative practitioners to immerse themselves in our unique collections.

These opportunities depend entirely on donors like you.

Find out more