Fellowships and scholarships

Explore opportunities

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National Library of Australia Fellowships

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

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Creative Arts Fellowship

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

Five people standing in front of the Main Reading Room

National Library of Australia Scholarships

For PhD students who require access to our collections to assist their postgraduate research.

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

National Library Fellows and Scholars, March 2024

Fellowships and Scholarships FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions about Fellowships and Scholarships.

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

A man wearing an orange jumper while holding photographs in his hands in the Library's Special Collections Reading Room

Dr Samuel White, 2025 National Library of Australia Fellow

Keeping the Peace of the Realm

Learn about 2026 National Library of Australia Fellow Dr Samuel White's research into the historical use of military call-outs and the decision-making processes behind deploying troops in Australia.

Woman with dark hair, Suprawee (Earn) Asanasak, standing in the stacks of the Library smiling and holding a book

2024 Asia Study Grant recipient Miss Suprawee (Earn) Asanasak

Painting a picture of 19th and 20th century Thai law

Hear about Suprawee (Earn) Asanasak 2024 Asia Study Grant research.

Natasha Naidu standing at a desk behind a stack of books holding one open and smiling at the camera

Beyond the agreement: The regulation of Indian indentured labour in Fiji

Learn about National Library of Australia Scholar Natasha Naidu's research into the regulation of Indian indentured labour in Fiji, 1879–1916.

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Research presentations

A sepia photograph of a man opening a drawer in a caravan

Caravans for the polio immunisation campaign. Health, Australia: photographs collected by the National Library of Australia. Box 57, Health – Polio, nla.cat-vn6185856

Experiences of polio in 1950s Australia

Prof Catharine Coleborne presents her recent Fellowship research, focusing on her discoveries about the health and illness experiences of poliomyelitis (polio) in regional Australia across the 20th century.

A man with glasses wearing a black button-down shirt in the National Library of Australia's Special Collections Reading Room

Dr Matthew Lamb

The 'archival imagination' of Frank Moorhouse

Dr Matthew Lamb presents his recent Fellowship research on Frank Moorhouse’s ‘archival imagination’, exploring how his methods shaped his work and identity.

A woman wearing a grey jacket stands leaning on a table with papers in a library setting

Fellowship presentation: Early Philippine Palaeontology

Dr Pauline Basilia presents her recent Fellowship research on the contributions of H. Otley Beyer to Philippine Pleistocene research.

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