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

Dr Rafiqa Qurrata A'yun sitting at a computer in the Main Reading Room and smiling

2024 Asia Study Grant recipient Dr Rafiqa Qurrata A'yun

Connecting law, religion and politics with the history of blasphemy in Indonesia

Hear from Dr Rafiqa Qurrata A'yun, one of our 2024 Asia Study Grant recipients, about her research.

A woman with short hair and glasses smiles and looks at the camera while she holds a folded document in her hands. In the background are bookshelves with books and an open box on a trolley.

Mrs Judith Bartholomeusz, 2023 National Library of Australia Summer Scholar

'Buried treasure': Caroline Chisholm in the manuscripts collection

In 2024, Judith Bartholomeusz dove into the manuscripts collection to explore the career of Caroline Chisholm, and how it was influenced by ideas of 'utopias'.

Michael Raditya standing in the Main Reading Room and smiling

2025 Asia Study Grant recipient, Mr Michael Haryo Bagus Raditya

Indonesian dangdut music: Evolution, connections, perception

Learn about how 2025 Asia Study Grant recipient Michael Raditya used the Library's collection grow his research on the Indonesian music genre dangdut.

Research presentations

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

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

A black and white photograph of a man in a suit standing in front of flagpoles with the US and Australian flags

Power and Vision: Australia and the South Pacific Commission

2025 National Library of Australia Fellow, Dr Alexis Bergantz shares his Fellowship research on the history of the South Pacific Commission.

Two men talking with each other, Kim Beazley and Caspar Weinberger

Australian Overseas Information Service, Portrait of Kim Beazley with Caspar Weinberger, U.S. Defence Secretary, 1988, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136622610

Fellowship talk: Defending Australian Territory

Honorary Fellow Associate Professor Andrew Carr discussed his research on the history of Australian defence policy.

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