Scholarships 2026 | National Library of Australia

This program provides residencies to PhD students who require access to the National Library’s collections to further their postgraduate research.

About National Library of Australia Scholarships 

The National Library of Australia Scholarships program provides PhD students with the opportunity to undertake research at the Library using our collections. 

Scholarships are available to researchers who require onsite access to our uniquely held or extensive collections to advance their PhD research.

Applicants may work in any field or discipline where our collections have appropriate depth and breadth to support the PhD topic.

National Library of Australia Scholarships will:

• contribute to a greater understanding or knowledge of our collections, enhancing the national and international reputation of the Library as an institution of major research significance
• promote discussion through research which informs and engages contemporary discourse
• actively promote the research experience and outcomes.

Types of National Library Scholarships

Up to 8 Scholarships are available in 2026. Five are for research on any subject, and three are for identified fields of research.

• Any subject: 2 Scholarships, one supported by Professor Robert and Mrs Josephine Shanks; one supported by Ms Morag Fraser, AM
• Asian studies: 2 Scholarships, one in memory of Cheng King Law and one supported by the Harold S. Williams Trust
• First Nations scholars: 2 scholarships on any subject, one supported by Ms Irene Kaspar and Mr Peter Boege and one supported by a generous donor
• Rural or regional scholars: supported by Miss Carol Moya Mills
• Travel, exploration or the natural world in Australia or the Pacific, during the 18th, 19th or early 20th centuries: supported by Dr Michael Martin and Ms Elizabeth Popovski

What Scholars receive

• $10,000 to support a research residency at the Library. Funding is based on 4 weeks at the Library. Scholars have 24 months to complete their research
• Supported access to our collections
• A dedicated desk in our Petherick Reading Room
• Increased borrowing privileges to maximise access to the collection
• A Copies Direct allowance of $600 for high resolution digital copies of collection materials for publication or other public uses (subject to copyright, licensing and access conditions)

How to apply

Before you start your application, make sure you understand the eligibility requirements for you and your project, how to apply and what your application needs to include.Applications are submitted through the SmartyGrants online platform.

• You must apply through SmartyGrants, via the ‘Apply now’ button on this page. We don’t accept hardcopy or offline applications.
• You can preview the form before starting an application. Once started, please save your form regularly. You can save and edit the application, but you can’t make changes after you’ve submitted.
• If you have difficulties with SmartyGrants, contact fellowships@nla.gov.au.

Applications and personal information are handled as described in the Library’s privacy policy.

Image credit: 2024 National Library of Australia Scholars Tandee Wang, Jacinta Mackay, & Scott McCarthy

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