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.
— Bryoni Trezise, Varuna Residential Fellowship, 2024

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.


 

UPCOMING COURSES, FELLOWSHIPS AND EVENTS

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The Eric Dark Fellowship for Non-fiction

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The Jill Dark Fellowship