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

Dr Christina Thompson with Willaim Hodges, Otoo, King of Otaheite [i.e. Tahiti], 1773, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134429610

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 our 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

Prof. John Morrissey, 2025 National Library of Australia Stokes Fellow

Human life in a wider ecosystem: Judith Wright and environmental action

Learn about 2025 National Library of Australia Fellow John Morrissey's research into poet and environmentalist Judith Wright.

Dr Jorien van Beukering sitting at a table with books across it.

2024 National Library of Australia Scholar Dr Jorien van Beukering

Exploring the unacknowledged children of Colonial Indonesia with Dr Jorien van Beukering

Hear from one of our 2024 National Library of Australia Scholars about her research in the Indonesian collection.

Man, Professor Robin Gerster, smiling and sitting at a table in the Special Collections Reading Room with manuscipt material in front of him

2024 National Library of Australia Fellow Professor Robin Gerster

Working with HS Williams

Learn about National Library Fellow Professor Robin Gerster's research into the life of historian Harold S. Williams and Williams' historical research in Japan.

Research presentations

Sepia photograph of four men and a woman having a conversation in business attire.

Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia. NAA: A6180, 28/8/72/59.

International students and the Australian community

Join Dr Anna Kent for a discussion about her recent Fellowship research focused on Australia's international education history.

Professor Matthew Spriggs is standing in front wooden bookshelves filled with books. He is wearing glasses, a red short-sleeve shirt patterned with yellow bananas and a black hat.

Prof Matthew Spriggs

Recovering Vanuatu's indigenous literature

Prof Matthew Spriggs talked about his recent Fellowship research focused on the indigenous languages of Vanuatu.

A black and white image of Chinese students crowded outside a theatre for a meeting in 1949

The Southbound Mobilization Meeting held in Shanghai on June 21st, 1949 at the Tianchan Theatre, nla.cat-vn8490

Revolutionary Youth in China, 1949-1950 with Dr Sanjiao Tang

2025 National Library of Australia Fellow, Dr Sanjiao Tang, discussed his recent Fellowship research focused on the history of the Chinese Communist Party and its new regime.

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