Fellowship for Non-Fiction Writing

Fellowship for Non-Fiction Writing

The Copyright Agency’s Fellowship for Non-Fiction Writing will support an Australian author to create a significant new work of literary non-fiction.

One Fellowship will be awarded each year.

The Fellowship will provide sustained support for a year to one author to create an important work for publication.

For this year, applicants must submit a compelling description of their intended project accompanied by a writing sample from the proposed Fellowship project to demonstrate their literary merit.

Applications will be accepted for the following literary genres:

• memoir
• biography
• autobiography
• history
• criticism and review
• arts/science writing
• political analysis
• writing on the environment; and
• other genres which contribute to the national discussion/polemic.

AMOUNT

$80,000

ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP

As the Fellowship is intended to support one writer, joint applications are not eligible.

Projects should start after Monday 2 November 2026.

The project should span up to 12 months. A project of one or two months is not regarded as a substantial Fellowship activity.

This Fellowship will not replace any advance offered under the usual terms of a publishing contract.

WHO CAN APPLY

To be eligible to apply for this grant, applicants must:

• Have previously published at least two full-length books of their own creative writing (of which one book may be self-published)
• Secured a contract from an Australian-based book publisher OR a letter of interest/intent to publish from an Australian-based book publisher
• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• Any overdue Cultural Fund grants must be acquitted

HOW TO APPLY

• Submit your application by the closing date and time via the online SmartyGrants system
• Applicants may submit only one application per round
• Incomplete or late applications will not be considered

YOUR APPLICATION

More information and contact

For further information, see our Frequently Asked Questions.

Please contact us before the application closing date if you’re unsure about your eligibility to apply for a Fellowship. Our email is culturalfund@copyright.com.au.