Fellowship Guidelines

Applying for a Fellowship at the Library

These awards are for experienced historical and archival researchers who can demonstrate evidence of their scholarly research and publication. Previous recipients have included early career academics, independent researchers and writers, and professional historians.

Although the program has traditionally focused on collection-based historical research, the Library is always interested in considering applications which employ new methodologies such as the digital humanities, or alternative approaches to the dissemination of research outcomes.

Outcomes should be realistic and achievable; — for instance, the Library is rarely in a position to support the development of web resources or exhibitions proposals, and you should think carefully before including these kinds of ideas in your description of Fellowship outcomes.

It would assist the judges if you expand upon:

the methodology you propose to use in structuring your project
the issue you wish to primarily address
the context of the project and your awareness of existing literature in the field
what you feel can be achieved within a year’s Fellowship.

In awarding the Fellowships the Library’s priority will be to select the strongest applications.

Describing the collections you plan to use

Applicants must accurately describe which Library collections they propose to use in their project. General descriptions such as ‘Mitchell Library pictorial collections’ are not acceptable. While the judging committee understands that this list cannot be definitive at the outset of a project, applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are familiar with and can nominate appropriate parts of the collection which are relevant to their project.

The judges would like to see demonstrated an understanding of the contents of nominated collections rather than simply a descriptive list. ‘Further description of project’, should be succinct and crafted with the conditions of the particular Fellowship in mind, and with specific reference as to how the Library’s collections and services inform the project. General summaries prepared for multiple purposes are not acceptable.

The Library currently offers the following fellowships:

Coral Thomas Fellowship: $110,000
Imago Fellowship: $50,000
Dr AM Hertzberg AO Fellowship: $25,000
Nancy Keesing AM Fellowship: $25,000
Australian Religious History Fellowship: $20,000
CH Currey Fellowship: $20,000
Merewether Fellowship: $12,000
David Scott Mitchell Memorial Fellowship: $12,000
Ross Steele AM Fellowship: $12,000

Coral Thomas Fellowship

The Coral Thomas Fellowship encourages deep and focused research into Australian culture, history and society, drawing on Australian and international research collections. It promotes discussion on Australian history and culture through research which informs and engages contemporary discourse.

It is expected that Coral Thomas Fellows will:

be recognised scholars who are able to demonstrate a successful record of research, scholarship, and significant publications and research outcomes
be able to demonstrate a high-level capacity to promote their work through a variety of media channels in collaboration with the Library
actively promote their research experiences and the research outcomes of the fellowship during their tenure as well as at its conclusion.
consider the Fellowship a primary appointment during their tenure and that a substantial proportion of at least one year in the two-year tenure would be devoted to the Fellowship
actively promote the research undertaken during their tenure
make a major presentation about the project at the conclusion of the Fellowship — this could take the form of a lecture or lecture series, a major article, book or digital resource or other form of permanent public record agreed to by the Library
engage with, and make a presentation to, Library staff so that staff will be able to benefit from their research
ensure any publications, outcomes or media coverage which result from the Fellowship prominently acknowledge the support of the Library and the Coral Thomas Fellowship
contribute to the Library's print and online publications
enhance the national and international reputation of the Library as an institution of major research significance
submit, to the Mitchell Librarian. an eight-page summary of their completed project, copies of any research outcomes (presentations and publications) and a bibliography
acquit their Fellowship in a timely manner.

Applications for the Coral Thomas Fellowship must be submitted via the online application form which is separate to the other Fellowship application forms. If you wish to apply for the Coral Thomas and the Library’s other Fellowships you will need to submit two applications.

Imago Fellowship

The Imago Fellowship is dedicated to supporting emerging creative writers, and encourages research that engages deeply with the rich collections at the Library to produce a work of fiction or non-fiction.

It is expected that Imago Fellows will:

be researchers and writers who are able to demonstrate a capacity – through experience, publications in any genre and/or training – to produce an original project, of high literary merit, that will contribute to important conversations on Australian cultural life and writing
be able to demonstrate a high-level capacity to promote their work through a variety of media channels in collaboration with the Library
agree that the Fellowship is a priority during their tenure and that a concentrated period of effort, in the one-year tenure, will be made to deliver the Fellowship
actively promote the research and writing undertaken during their tenure
make a presentation about the project at the conclusion of the Fellowship
ensure any publications, outcomes or media coverage which result from the Fellowship prominently acknowledge the support of the Library and the Fellowship
contribute to Library's print and online publications
submit, to the Mitchell Librarian, a four-page summary of their completed project, copies of any research outcomes (presentations and publications) and a bibliography
acquit their Fellowship in a timely manner.

Dr AM Hertzberg AO Fellowship

The Dr AM Hertzberg AO Fellowship supports research into any aspect of the social, cultural and political history of industry and manufacturing in Australia, from colonisation to today, drawing on the resources of the Library and any relevant archives or collections in other cultural institutions or companies.

The Fellowship takes a broad view of industrial history, and will support projects that examine the technical, scientific, innovative, social, business, managerial (from management to workers’ organisations), cultural and political impacts of industry on Australia. Industry is considered broadly, from heavy manufacturing through to hi-tech.

It is expected that Dr AM Hertzberg Fellows will:

be experienced researchers who are able to demonstrate a successful record of scholarship, publications and research outcomes
be able to demonstrate a high-level capacity to promote their work through a variety of media channels in collaboration with the Library
agree that the Fellowship is a priority during their tenure and that a concentrated period of effort, in the one-year tenure, will be made to deliver the Fellowship
actively promote the research undertaken during their tenure
make a presentation about the project at the conclusion of the Fellowship
ensure any publications, outcomes or media coverage which result from the Fellowship prominently acknowledge the support of the Library and the Fellowship
contribute to the Library's print and online publications
engage with Library staff so that staff will be able to benefit from their research
submit, to the Mitchell Librarian, a four-page summary of their completed project, copies of any research outcomes (presentations and publications) and a bibliography
acquit their Fellowship in a timely manner.

Nancy Keesing AM Fellowship

The Nancy Keesing AM Fellowship is for research into any aspect of Australian life and culture using the resources of the Library.

It is expected that Nancy Keesing Fellows will:

be experienced researchers who are able to demonstrate a successful record of scholarship, publications and research outcomes
be able to demonstrate a high-level capacity to promote their work through a variety of media channels in collaboration with the Library
agree that the Fellowship is a priority during their tenure and that a concentrated period of effort, in the one-year tenure, will be made to deliver the Fellowship
actively promote the research undertaken during their tenure
make a presentation about the project at the conclusion of the Fellowship
ensure any publications, outcomes or media coverage which result from the Fellowship prominently acknowledge the support of the Library and the Fellowship
contribute to the Library's print and online publications
submit, to the Mitchell Librarian, a four-page summary of their completed project, copies of any research outcomes (presentations and publications) and a bibliography
acquit their Fellowship in a timely manner.

Australian Religious History Fellowship

The specific focus of the Australian Religious History Fellowship is the study and research of any aspect of Australian religious history of any faith. The successful Fellow will be based at the Library, although it is understood that it may be necessary to also work within other institutions and archives and use resources outside the Library. It is expected that the Fellow will use the Library’s resources to a significant degree.

It is expected that Australian Religious History Fellows will:

be experienced researchers who are able to demonstrate a successful record of scholarship, publications and research outcomes
be able to demonstrate a high-level capacity to promote their work through a variety of media channels in collaboration with the Library
agree that the Fellowship is a priority during their tenure and that a concentrated period of effort, in the one-year tenure, will be made to deliver the Fellowship
consider the Fellowship a priority during their tenure and that a concentrated period of effort, in the one-year tenure, will be made to deliver the Fellowship
actively promote the research undertaken during their tenure
make a presentation about the project at the conclusion of the Fellowship
ensure any publications, outcomes or media coverage which result from the Fellowship prominently acknowledge the support of the Library and the Fellowship
contribute to Library's print and online publications
submit, to the Mitchell Librarian, a four-page summary of their completed project, copies of any research outcomes (presentations and publications) and a bibliography
acquit their Fellowship in a timely manner.

CH Currey Memorial Fellowship

The CH Currey Memorial Fellowship is for the writing of Australian history from original sources, with a focus on the resources of the Library.

It is expected that CH Currey Memorial Fellows will:

be experienced researchers who are able to demonstrate a successful record of scholarship, publications and research outcomes
be able to demonstrate a high-level capacity to promote their work through a variety of media channels in collaboration with the Library
agree that the Fellowship is a priority during their tenure and that a concentrated period of effort, in the one-year tenure, will be made to deliver the Fellowship
actively promote the research undertaken during their tenure.
make a presentation about the project at the conclusion of the Fellowship
ensure any publications, outcomes or media coverage which result from the Fellowship prominently acknowledge the support of the Library and the Fellowship
contribute to Library's print and online publications
submit, to the Mitchell Librarian, a four-page summary of their completed project, copies of any research outcomes (presentations and publications) and a bibliography
acquit their Fellowship in a timely manner.

Merewether Fellowship

The principal purpose of the Merewether Fellowship is to encourage and support the use of the Library's collections for the study and research of Australian history in writing and publication among scholars, researchers and the wider community, including internationally. The specific focus of the Fellowship will be for research associated with the nineteenth-century history of NSW.

It is expected that Merewether Fellows will:

be experienced researchers who are able to demonstrate a successful record of scholarship, publications and research outcomes
be able to demonstrate a high-level capacity to promote their work through a variety of media channels in collaboration with the Library
agree that the Fellowship is a priority during their tenure and that a concentrated period of effort, in the one-year tenure, will be made to deliver the Fellowship
actively promote the research undertaken during their tenure
make a presentation about the project at the conclusion of the Fellowship
ensure any publications, outcomes or media coverage which result from the Fellowship prominently acknowledge the support of the Library and the Fellowship
contribute to Library's print and online publications
submit, to the Mitchell Librarian, a four-page summary of their completed project, copies of any research outcomes (presentations and publications) and a bibliography
acquit their Fellowship in a timely manner.

David Scott Mitchell Memorial Fellowship

The principal purpose of the David Scott Mitchell Memorial Fellowship is to encourage and support the use of the Library's collections for the study and research of Australian history in writing and publication among scholars, researchers and the wider community, including internationally.

It is expected that David Scott Mitchell Fellows will:

be experienced researchers who are able to demonstrate a successful record of scholarship, publications and research outcomes
be able to demonstrate a high-level capacity to promote their work through a variety of media channels in collaboration with the Library
agree that the Fellowship is a priority during their tenure and that a concentrated period of effort, in the one-year tenure, will be made to deliver the Fellowship
actively promote the research undertaken during their tenure
make a presentation about the project at the conclusion of the Fellowship
ensure any publications, outcomes or media coverage which result from the Fellowship prominently acknowledge the support of the Library and the Fellowship
contribute to Library's print and online publications
submit, to the Mitchell Librarian, a four-page summary of their completed project, copies of any research outcomes (presentations and publications) and a bibliography
acquit their Fellowship in a timely manner.

Ross Steele AM Fellowship

The Ross Steele AM Fellowship supports research into the Library's pictorial collections.

This Fellowship asks the successful applicant to investigate key images or image collections (with a preference for non-photographic media), underpinned by the context of their particular acquisition and exhibition histories. Understanding the history of their acquisition and description is a vital first step in explaining why these collections are so important, and will be fundamental to further publications about them.

The Fellow will be given access to the Library’s records and object files about these artworks.

It is expected that Ross Steele AM Fellows will:

be experienced researchers who are able to demonstrate a successful record of scholarship, publications and research outcomes
be able to demonstrate a high-level capacity to promote their work through a variety of media channels in collaboration with the Library
agree that the Fellowship is a priority during their tenure and that a concentrated period of effort will be made to deliver the Fellowship
actively promote the research undertaken during their tenure
make a presentation about the project at the conclusion of the Fellowship
ensure any publications, outcomes or media coverage which result from the Fellowship prominently acknowledge the support of the Library and the Fellowship
contribute to Library's print and online publications
submit, to the Mitchell Librarian, a four-page summary of their completed project, copies of any research outcomes (presentations and publications) and a bibliography
acquit their Fellowship in a timely manner.

For further information please refer to the Fellowship FAQs section or contact:

Scholarship

Phone: 02 9273 1765

Email: scholarship@sl.nsw.gov.au