Fellowships
Varuna offers a range of prestigious Fellowships designed to support writers across different genres and at all stages of their writing careers. Fellowships are all competitively awarded and include between one and four weeks’ residency at Varuna.
You may also wish to apply for a residency outside of a fellowship program via our residencies program.
Whitlam Essay Residency
Applications are now closed.
This program is presented in partnership with the Whitlam Institute with support from Western Sydney Creative, Western Sydney University’s arts and culture decadal strategy.
FNAWN Varuna Fellowship
Applications reopen in 2025.
The FNAWN Varuna fellowship will return in 2025. It will be open to FNAWN members who have a manuscript in fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction.
The Next Chapter Residencies
Applications are now closed
These residencies are awarded to recipients of The Wheeler Centre’s Next Chapter program, where four outstanding writers are provided with a year’s mentorship and $15,000 to develop their work.
Mascara Writers' and Editors' Residency
Applications are now closed
The inaugural Mascara Varuna Writers’ and Editors’ Residency was open to First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) writers who have a manuscript in fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction.
Affirm Press Mentorship Award
Applications are now closed
The Affirm Press Mentorship Award provides a unique opportunity for writers to develop new work through a Varuna residency and editorial feedback.
The Denmark Arts Varuna Writer's Fellowship
Applications currently closed
The Denmark Arts Varuna Writer’s Fellowship is for writers in the Great Southern Region of WA or Shire of Manjimup.
Scribe Varuna Fellowships
Applications currently closed
In partnership with independent press Scribe Publications, three fellowships are awarded annually, with writers invited to participate in an intensive residency with Scribe editors.
Tyrone Guthrie Fellowships
Applications close 10 May
This four-week international exchange fellowship with the extraordinary Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Annaghmakerrig, Ireland, is awarded to a member of the Varuna Alumni once a year.
Griffith Review Contributors Circle Residencies
Opening May 2022
This prestigious literary journal awards up to five week-long residencies at Varuna each year, open to Contributors Circle members.
The Writer's Space Fellowships 2022
Applications currently closed
Applications are now open for The Writer’s Space Fellowship program 2022. 12 fellowships will be offered to writers with disability or who are D/deaf, from around Australia.
Kill Your Darlings Varuna Fellowship
Applications currently closed
Held in partnership with Kill Your Darlings this Fellowship offers a week-long fellowship for the shortlisted writers in our 2020 Unpublished Manuscript Award.