The Mick Dark Fellowship for Environmental Writing
Established in memory of Mick Dark, who bequeathed Varuna House to the writers of Australia, this three-week writing fellowship will be awarded to outstanding Environmental Writing.
Residency dates: The fellowship can be taken between January - August 2026.
Applications close: 5pm AEST 5 May 2025
Places: One writer is selected every year as part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships program.
Who should apply: Writers of any genre with a focus on the environment.
FAQs: Please read the FAQs before you apply.
This is a flagship fellowship as part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships.
The recipient will receive:
A three-week residency at Varuna, with full board and accommodation including a prepared evening meal, uninterrupted time to write in your own private studio, and the companionship of your fellow writers.
A one-hour consultation with a Varuna mentor, Carol Major, Mary Anne Butler or Tegan Bennett-Daylight.
A travel subsidy of $350 for writers living more than 300 km away from Varuna.
For more information about staying at Varuna, visit our Residencies page.
TESTIMONIALS
“Varuna offers a precious and rare experience for writers to connect deeply with their work in a very calming and undistracting environment. It is an amazing and generous gift.”
HOW TO APPLY
The Mick Dark Fellowship is awarded to a writer who applies for a Varuna Residential Fellowship. There is no separate application process.
Please refer to Varuna’s general submission guidelines for any questions on formatting your work.