First Nations Fellowship FAQ 

 How much is the application fee for the program?

There are no application fees for this program. 

If I am successful, are there any fees for participating in the program?

There are no costs involved in this program. Your fellowship includes meals, accommodation for seven nights and travel between your home and Katoomba, including 50 cents per km reimbursement for distance travelled in a personal vehicle, economy airfares and bus or train tickets.

What about travel costs?

The Fellowship includes travel between your home and Katoomba, including 50 cents per km reimbursement for distance travelled in a personal vehicle, economy airfares and bus or train tickets.

You will be expected to book travel in a timely manner once the residency is confirmed, to avoid excessive pricing.

Am I required to take my fellowship at a specific time of year?

Yes. The fellowship week will be held from Monday 25 November to Monday 2 December 2024.

When will I be notified regarding the outcome?

You will be notified of the outcome of your submission by email, and the fellowship recipients will be announced on our website in June 2024.

I’ve missed the deadline. Can I still submit an application?

No. Unfortunately, no applications will be accepted after the deadline date. The First Nations Fellowship is however a yearly program, so please subscribe to our mailing list and apply when opportunities open for 2025.

I submitted work to the First Nations program last year. Can I resubmit the same work this year?

While there is no limit to how often you may apply for a fellowship, we request that you do not resubmit a work that you have already submitted in a previous year unless there has been substantial reworking/revision.

I do not have a complete manuscript yet. Can I still apply?

Absolutely.

Is there a word limit for my submission?

Yes, the word limit is no more than 10,000 words.

Does Varuna have access for writers with disabilities?

We now have a wheelchair-accessible studio and a Disability Inclusion Action Plan so we can work on eliminating potential barriers to accessing our programs. If you are a writer with disability, please email maeve@varuna.com.au to discuss your specific requirements.

Please note that we are not equipped to provide access and support to residents with challenging mental health conditions due to the complexity of issues such conditions may present. If this impacts your ability to apply for a residency, please get in touch to discuss how your access needs might be met.

Can I apply for more than one Varuna fellowship at a time?

Yes. For example, if our Affirm Mentorship Award was open at the same time as the First Nations Fellowship, you would be welcome to apply for both.

I received a First Nations fellowship two years ago. Can I apply for a fellowship again this year?

No. There is a three-year time limit for each program. Therefore, if you received a First Nations Fellowship in 2023, you cannot apply for a First Nations Fellowship until 2025. However, you can apply for a First Nations Fellowship if you received a different Varuna fellowship within this period. For example, if you received a Varuna Residential Fellowship within the last three years, you are still eligible to apply for a First Nations Fellowship.

If I am awarded a fellowship with this program, does this mean I am offered a publishing contract?

No. There is no obligation for Magabala Press to offer you a contract at the conclusion of the Varuna fellowship. As an optional inclusion in your Fellowship, Magabala has committed to appraising your work after you have completed your residency at Varuna should you wish them to.

I work with another writer collaboratively. If our application is successful, can we come to Varuna together?

If your writing is a joint project, please contact maeve@varuna.com.au to explain your specific requirements. We will try to accommodate you if we possibly can.

Can I submit more than one application?

Yes.

Who is eligible to apply?

Those who identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are over the age of 18 are eligible to apply.