FELLOWSHIPS
Varuna offers a range of prestigious programs and fellowships designed to support writers across different genres and at all stages of their writing careers. Fellowships are all competitively awarded and include between one and four weeks’ residency at Varuna, in the Blue Mountains, as well as mentorship and other benefits.
First Peoples India-Australia Exchange
Applications open 7 November 2024.
First Nations writers are invited to apply for the opportunity to connect with Adivasi writers from India, first in residence at Varuna, then at a four-week residency at Sangam House in Bangalore.
Whitlam Essay Residency 2025
Applications now closed.
This program is presented in partnership with the Whitlam Institute with support from Western Sydney Creative, Western Sydney University’s arts and culture decadal strategy.
The Writer's Space Fellowships 2025
Applications now closed.
Six fellowships offered to writers with disability or who are D/deaf from NSW.
Affirm Press Fellowship
Applications have now closed.
The Affirm Press Mentorship Award provides a unique opportunity for writers to develop new work through a Varuna residency and editorial feedback.
Arts NT Fellowships
Applications have now closed.
This program is presented in partnership with the Northern Territory Government through Arts NT. Submissions are welcomed from eligible NT-based writers.
Writing NSW Fellowships
Applications have now closed.
Writing NSW awards a single one-week Varuna residency to members of Writing NSW for manuscripts, plays or poem collections ready for the next stage of development.
Writers SA Fellowships
Applications have now closed.
The SA First Nations Writers Fellowship and SA Emerging Writers Fellowship offers a one-week residency, including travel subsidy and manuscript consultation, and is open to emerging writers and poets who live in South Australia.
Ray Koppe ASA Young Writers Fellowship
Applications have now closed.
Offered in partnership with the Australian Society of Authors, and generously supported by the Ray Koppe bequest, this is one of the Varuna flagship fellowships and is offered to a writer under the age of 35 who is as yet unpublished.
Henry Handel Richardson Fellowship - Short Story Writings
Applications have now closed.
Offered in partnership with the Henry Handel Richardson Society, this award promotes the life and legacy of Henry Handel Richardson.
Varuna Residential Fellowships
Applications have now closed.
Varuna’s most prestigious award, running since 1991. Awards up to 33 fellowships to emerging and established writers across Australia, including several flagship three-week fellowships.
WestWords-Varuna Emerging Writers’ Residency
Applications have now closed.
The WestWords Varuna Western Sydney Residential Program offers four emerging writers from diverse backgrounds from Western Sydney the opportunity of a six-day residency.
Roderick Centre Fellowship for Regional and Remote Writers
Applications have now closed.
This program is presented in partnership with the Roderick Centre for Australian Literature and Creative Writing (RCALC). Open to emerging or established writers, living in regional and remote parts of Australia.
Shanghai Western Sydney Writing Exchange
Applications have now closed.
A prestigious two-month international residency in Shanghai, China that will run from September to October 2024. Alumni from Western Sydney University and Alumni from Varuna, the National Writers’ House, are invited to apply.
Ann Moyal Non-Fiction Fellowship
Applications now closed for 2024.
The Ann Moyal Non-Fiction Fellowship encourages excellence in non-fiction writing and aims to support writers developing an original work drawn from the broad fields of the humanities and social sciences.
Varuna First Nations Fellowships
Applications now closed for 2024.
Each year, five fellowships, including accommodation, all meals, travel expenses and manuscript consultations, are awarded to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers from anywhere in Australia.
The Writer's Space Fellowships 2024
Applications are closed for 2024
Twelve fellowships offered to writers with disability or who are D/deaf from NSW.
Varuna International Residency Program: New Zealand
Applications now closed.
Varuna is delighted to offer this four-week international residency to Varuna alumni, held in collaboration with the Michael King Writers Centre in New Zealand and the Verb Readers and Writers Festival in Wellington.
Varuna Climate Fellowship
In March 2024, Varuna welcomed 7 residents for our inaugural Climate Fellowship, supported by The Bridge Awards, a philanthropic organisation that provides funding for arts, community, healthcare and environmental projects.
Queensland Writers Centre Fellowships
Applications are now closed
The Queensland Writers Centre will be offering their two Varuna fellowships this year: Established Writers Fellowship and the Underrepresented Writers Fellowship, both include a two-week residency at Varuna, travel subsidy and manuscript consultation, and are open to members of the Queensland Writers Centre.
Scribe Varuna Fellowship 2024
Applications are now closed.
In partnership with independent press Scribe Publications, three fellowships are awarded annually, with writers invited to participate in an intensive residency with Scribe editors.