Research fellowships FAQs

• Australian residents including interstate residents. It is expected that a portion of your fellowship or residency will occur onsite at State Library.
• Applications are accepted from any discipline or professional background for projects that involve research using State Library collection. This includes but is not limited to, researchers, artists, creatives, filmmakers, digital media practitioners, musicians and composers, curators and arts professionals, writers, independent scholars and other creators.
• Applications from individuals or co-applicants only are accepted.
• Projects that have started or are partly funded through another body are eligible. If your project has received other funding, please indicate this in your application. If you are currently in receipt of a funded fellowship or residency from another institution, please also indicate this in your application.
• Relevant archives or collections in other cultural institutions and companies can be used. 
• If you are a Queensland State Government employee, please provide evidence of the support of your manager (email/letter) with your application

• Applications from University or Australian Research Council (ARC) research teams will not be accepted.
• People who reside outside of Australia.
• Projects that are a component of post graduate studies are not eligible.
• Current State Library of Queensland employees and board members are ineligible to apply

Most fellowships start in January and run for 12 months. The Letty Katts Fellowship runs from January for 6 months. Research is self-paced.  

Check out the guidelines for the full details of the judging process. The process includes: 

• application checked for completeness and eligibility by State Library of Queensland.  
• eligible applications are then forwarded to an independent judging panel made up of professionals with expertise in the related field. 
• judges read and assess the applications against the selection criteria.  
• judges decide on a shortlist and one successful applicant for each category. 
• judges may require an in-person interview with shortlisted applicants for more information. 
• judges award the applicant with the highest merit against the selection criteria as the successful applicant. Panels must decide on one successful application only per category. 

Check out the guidelines for the full selection criteria. Selection criteria are specific to the fellowship you are applying for.  

Judging panels are made up of members with subject matter expertise relevant to the fellowship they are judging. Panels are made up of members who offer a diversity of perspectives and experiences.   

Successful applicants will be notified in August ahead of public announcement.  

You can request feedback.  

The judges may ask you to attend an interview if they need more information about your application.  

Most fellowships start in January and run for 12 months. The Letty Katts Fellowship runs from January for 6 months. 

No. The next round of fellowships will open in 2023.

• John Oxley Library Fellowship – $20,000 
• Letty Katts Fellowship – $5,000 
• Mittelheuser Scholar in Residence – $15,000 
• Monica Clare Research Fellowship – $15,000 
• Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame Fellowship – $15,000 

• Contribute at least three (3) articles to State Library’s John Oxley Library Blog related to their research. 
• Provide two (2) reports about their progress to date. 
• Participate in at least one (1) public program related to their research project such as the Research Reveals events. 
• Compile and submit an annotated bibliography of the research undertaken and presented to the State Library for use as a research resource at the conclusion of the fellowship.  
• Submit a short report and testimonial at the conclusion of the fellowship outlining the benefit of the experience. 
• Deposit a copy of any work produced with the John Oxley Library. 
• Be available for publicity purposes relating to their fellowship or residency, including media interviews and social media engagement. 
• Participate in creating a digital story or filmed presentation about the fellowship or residency. 
• Ensure outcomes of the research undertaken as part of the fellowship or residency acknowledge the State Library of Queensland. 

Funds can be spent at the discretion of fellows to support them in their project.  

Some of your time will need to be spent onsite at State Library so that you can access unique and significant collections and staff expertise. 

Yes. You will meet expert State Library staff who will guide you in how to research State Library collections and handle original materials. You will also be given your own workspace in the Neil Roberts Fellowship Lounge.  

Your application should include information on how you will use or contribute to State Library collections. You can find collection material by searching the Library catalogue (OneSearch) and State Library website. You can also chat with a Librarian or log a request via Ask Us 

Yes. You might like to consider tailoring your application to suit the selection criteria of the relevant fellowship. 

Yes.

Yes! Anyone can apply that meets the eligibility criteria. 

Yes. Applications are accepted from individuals or co-applicants (maximum of two individuals). 

No, however co-applicants (maximum of two individuals) can apply.

Yes.  Some of your time will need to be spent onsite at State Library so that you can access unique and significant collections and staff expertise.  

Yes.  Please indicate on your application what funding you have received, and what stage your project is at.  

Yes. Your project may be at the beginning or already in progress. Please indicate what stage your project is at in your application. 

No. You must reside in Australia and be able to meet the deliverables of the fellowship.  

Applications open on 1 June and must be submitted through SmartyGrants. Check out the guidelines for full details. A link to the Smarty Grants application form will become available from 1 June on our website. 

Yes.  

5pm Friday 8 July AEST.  

Your application should address the selection criteria set out in the guidelines and include :

• short biographical statement and CV (max 3 A4 pages) 
• short description of your project and its relevance  
• short description of how you will use or contribute to John Oxley Library or State Library collections (except for Mittelheuser Scholar in Residence)
• brief overview of project goals, scope and timelines 
• anticipated outcomes  
• three (3) referees 
• if applicable, details of other funding sources for the project and why fellowship funding is required, and/or details around what stage the project is in if it is not a new project 

You have the option of submitting supporting material, such as a letter of support.  

Yes. You will need to provide three referees. 

Reach out to us at fellowships@slq.qld.gov.au so that we can help you.  

Yes. You can save your work as many times as you like before you submit.  

Make sure you address the selection criteria in the guidelines, and consider attending our Fellowship Information Night so you can hear from past Fellows, judges and State Library staff firsthand. 

Your application should include information on how you will use or contribute to State Library collections. You can find collection material by searching the Library catalogue (OneSearch) and State Library website. You can also chat with a Librarian or log a request via Ask Us 

Yes, you can apply for as many categories as you like. You may only be successful in one category in any given year, however.  

Keep up to date on the latest news via our website, contact fellowships@slq.qld.gov.au or attend our Fellowship Information Night on 8 June (onsite and online).