The Varuna First Nations Fellowship
This three-week fellowship will be awarded to a First Nations writer who applies for a Varuna Residential Fellowship whose work is of outstanding quality.
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: First Nations writers working in any genre.
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 is a special place, on special Country, but it’s even more magic when you’re in the company of mob from all over, from all different stages of their writing careers. I went with a project in mind and came home with not only words on the page, but deep, soul-filling connections to people and Country that I’ll always remember.”
HOW TO APPLY
The Varuna First Nations Fellowship is awarded to a First Nations 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
