Fellowship guidelines

Applying for Fellowships at the State Library of NSW

These awards are for applicants with experience as historical and archival researchers. Applicants must demonstrate their record of scholarly research and publication. Previous winners of Library awards have included early career academics, independent researchers and writers and professional historians.

Although the Fellowship 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 therefore you should think carefully before including ideas such as these in your description of Fellowship outcomes.

It would be helpful to the judges if you elaborate 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 application.

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 Award 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.

Nominated referees should be knowledgeable about the applicant’s research ability and publication record. The referee must be able to talk about the applicant’s research skills rather than personal qualities.

The Library currently offers the following fellowships:

Coral Thomas Fellowship: $100,000
Ross Steele AM Fellowship: $12,000
Dr A. M. Hertzberg AO Fellowship: $20,000
David Scott Mitchell Memorial Fellowship: $12,000
Merewether Scholarship: $12,000
CH Currey Fellowship: $20,000
Nancy Keesing AM Fellowship: $20,000
Australian Religious History Fellowship: $20,000
Jean Arnot Memorial Fellowship: $1000

Coral Thomas Fellowship

The Coral Thomas Fellowship, inaugurated in 2014 in honour of Coral Kirkwood Thomas née Patrick (1920–1996), is the most significant Fellowship offered by the Library. The Library gratefully acknowledges Rob & Kyrenia Thomas and family, whose generosity has established it. The 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.

The Coral Thomas Fellowship will:

encourage deep and focused research into Australian culture, history and society, drawing on Australian and international research collections
promote discussion on Australian history and culture through research which informs and engages contemporary discourse
enhance the national and international reputation of the State Library of NSW as an institution of major research significance
actively promote the research experiences and research outcomes of the fellowship during their tenure as Fellow as well as at its conclusion.

The Coral Thomas Fellowship supports research into major questions in the humanities. Cross-cultural and interdisciplinary applications are welcome. Projects proposed for the Coral Thomas Fellowship need not be limited to archival research but may also employ emerging methodologies in the digital humanities. Applicants must specify a well-formed research question and provide a detailed research strategy that clearly articulates proposed methodologies, key milestones, a planned timeline and major outcomes of the Fellowship.

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 State Library
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 State Library of NSW and the Coral Thomas Fellowship
contribute to State Library of NSW print and online publications
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.

Ross Steele AM Fellowship

The Ross Steele AM Fellowship supports research into the State Library of NSW pictorial collections. It was inaugurated in 2019 with the support of Ross Steele AM. The Library has been collecting pictorial material since the 1880s, but the David Scott Mitchell Bequest of 1907 and the generosity of Sir William Dixson underpinned the compilation of the some of the largest pictorial collections in the country.

The Library’s pictorial collections are principally documentary, and their acquisition has operated in a market and context very different to fine art images. The broad history of the compilation of these collections is not well understood. Initially pictures were purchased to illustrate major historical landscapes, events and people, often with a focus on European colonisation. The evolution of the photographic image significantly changed the documentary impetus, however, and we now collect much more broadly, with an understanding that the full diversity of Australian life and culture needs to be recorded. In their diversity of format and their extent, these are some of the most significant and largest pictorial collections in Australia.

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 State 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 State Library of NSW and the Fellowship
contribute to State Library of NSW 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 was established in 2018 and will support 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 State Library of NSW 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.

The Dr AM Hertzberg AO Fellowship is offered with the support of the children of Mark Hertzberg, AO (1924–2015) and Nancy Keesing, AM (1923–1993). Dr Hertzberg was a past President of the Library Council of New South Wales and past General Manager of the Sugar Division of the Colonial Sugar Refinery (CSR).

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 State 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 State Library of NSW and the Fellowship
contribute to State Library of NSW 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.

David Scott Mitchell Memorial Fellowship

The principal purpose of the David Scott Mitchell Fellowship is to encourage and support the use of the State Library of NSW 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 State 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 State Library of NSW and the Fellowship
contribute to State Library of NSW 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 Scholarship is to encourage and support the use of the State Library of NSW 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 Merewether Scholarship will be for research associated with the nineteenth-century history of NSW.

It is expected that Merewether Scholarship recipients 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 State 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 State Library of NSW and the Fellowship
contribute to State Library of NSW 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 was established in 1974 by the Library Council of NSW under the terms of the bequest of the late Dr Charles Herbert Currey, a well-known Australian historian who was conscious of the needs of research workers not supported by grants from institutions such as universities. The Fellowship is for the writing of Australian history from original sources, with a focus on the resources of the State Library of NSW.

Applicants must demonstrate a record of scholarly research and publication. These awards are for applicants who can demonstrate experience as historical and archival researchers. 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.

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 State 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 State Library of NSW and the Fellowship
contribute to State Library of NSW 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.

Nancy Keesing AM Fellowship

The Nancy Keesing AM Fellowship, honouring key Australian literary figure, author and poet Nancy Keesing AM (1923–1993), was established by her husband Dr Mark Hertzberg AO (1924–2015), past President of the Library Council of NSW. The Fellowship is for research into any aspect of Australian life and culture using the resources of the State Library of NSW.

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 State 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 State Library of NSW and the Fellowship
contribute to State Library of NSW 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 Australian Religious History Fellowship was established in 2010 with a generous endowment from an anonymous benefactor. The specific focus of the Australian History Religious Fellowship is for the study and research of any aspect of Australian religious history of any faith. The successful Fellow will be based at the State Library of NSW, 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 State 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 State Library of NSW and the Fellowship
contribute to State Library of NSW 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.

Jean Arnot Memorial Fellowship

The annual Jean Arnot Memorial Fellowship honours Jean Fleming Arnot (1903–1995) MBE, FLAA, who had a distinguished career of 47 years in librarianship and was a pioneer of equal pay and women’s rights. The Fellowship is awarded to a female librarian or student of librarianship for an outstanding paper of no more than 5000 words on any aspect of librarianship. Papers focusing on innovative solutions to contemporary library issues and services are encouraged. Papers should demonstrate original thought and research. The paper should have been written within the last 12 months. The paper should not have been previously published. Papers delivered at a conference or seminar will be accepted. There is no mandated citation style: authors are advised to use that with which they are most comfortable. A copy of the winning essay will be made available on the Library’s website.

An award of $1000 will be presented to the winner at the annual Jean Arnot Memorial Luncheon. The prize is sponsored by the National Council of Women of NSW and the Australian Federation of Business and Professional Women.

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

Education & Scholarship

Phone: 02 9273 1910

Email: