A two-week fellowship will be awarded to an exceptional work of fiction or non-fiction on projects related to climate change and the environment, as part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships.

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Applications open: 17 March 2026
Applications close: midnight AEST 15 May 2026
Residency dates: Between September 2026 - September 2027, arranged directly with Varuna based on availability
Places: One writer will be selected as part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships program.
Who should apply: Writers of fiction or non-fiction related to climate change and the environment

FAQ: Please read the FAQs before you apply.

ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP

The Belinda Medlyn Climate Fellowship is awarded to a writer who applies for a Varuna Residential Fellowships with exceptional work of fiction or non-fiction on projects related to climate change and the environment.

The fellowship recipient will receive:

A two-week residency at Varuna, with full board and accommodation including a daily 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.

Varuna is grateful to Belinda Medlyn for supporting this fellowship.

For more information about staying at Varuna, visit our Residencies page.

HOW TO APPLY

The Belinda Medlyn Climate Fellowship is awarded to a writer with exceptional work of fiction or non-fiction on projects related to climate change and the environment.

All eligible applicants who apply for our Varuna Residential Fellowships will be considered. 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

For Writers

Varuna Residential Fellowships

Applications open 17 March 2026

Varuna’s most prestigious award, running since 1991. Up to 47 fellowships will be awarded to emerging and established writers across Australia, offering between two and three weeks in residence, with mentorship.

Copyright Agency First Nations Fellowships

Applications close 16 March 2026

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers are invited to apply for a week-long writers residency at Varuna in 2026, connecting with other First Nations writers, and benefiting from mentorship, and the sharing of skills and knowledge.

Mastering Structure through Character Arcs

Applications close 17 March 2026

Designed for writers of all levels, genres and narrative art forms, this 16-session masterclass with BAFTA award-winning screenwriter and author Anthony Mullins will show you how to craft an authentic and powerful narrative structure.

Queensland Writers Centre Fellowships

Applications close 24 March 2026

The Queensland Writers Centre offers two Varuna fellowships, both of which include a two-week residency at Varuna, travel subsidy and manuscript consultation, and are open to members of the Queensland Writers Centre.

Manuscript Development Masterclass

Applications close 9 April 2026

A deep-dive writer development program designed for writers with a manuscript substantially underway, or with a draft completed, this 5-month masterclass provides a unique opportunity to receive feedback on your manuscript and the guidance and support to take it to the next level.

Crafting Knockout Scenes

Applications close 14 April 2026

Scenes are the building blocks of novels, plays, screenplays, short stories, and even works of creative non-fiction. This 8-week program with Brooke Robinson will sharpen your writing to create truly powerful scenes.

Write Your Novel

Applications close 7 May 2026

Work alongside Miles Franklin award winning novelist Sofie Laguna to breathe life into your novel, taking it out of the ‘too hard basket’ and shaping it into the story it deserves to be.

The Art of Dialogue

Applications close 13 May 2026

This 8-week online program drills down deeply into how to craft dialogue on the page, ensuring that each of your character’s voices is unique, shaping their distinct speech patterns, and working on questions about who speaks, and when.