Roderick Centre Fellowship
FAQ
How much is the application fee for the program?
There is a $25 application fee for this fellowship. The $25 application fee covers the expenses of paying for the assessors. However, if this is unaffordable for you, you can select to have this fee waived.
Is where I live considered regional or remote?
Applicants need to be living in the government designated ‘Category 3 Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas’. This excludes writers living in all capital cities, as well as the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra and Geelong. The Blue Mountains is considered regional West of Katoomba. Category 3 postcodes are listed here
Are there any other eligibility requirements?
Applicants must also be an Australian citizen or have a permanent residency visa, and be over 18 years old.
If I am successful, are there any fees for participating in the program?
There are no fees for participating in this program.
Residency fellowships include meals and accommodation for two weeks, plus a full reimbursement of all travel expenses within Australia. You will also receive a budget of $600 towards expenses such as manuscript consultations or accommodation in Sydney on the way through to the Blue Mountains. This means you can design your fellowship program to suit your individual needs.
Virtual fellowships do not include any allowance for out-of-pocket expenses.
Am I required to take my fellowship at a specific time of year?
In-person residencies will need to be taken between December 2024 and May 2025, subject to availability in the house. Virtual residencies will occur in the week from Monday 2 December to 8 December 2024.
When will I be notified regarding the outcome?
You will be notified of the outcome of your submission by email, and the fellowship recipients will be announced on our website in mid-August 2024.
Will I receive feedback on my work?
Selectors do not discuss the selection process or offer individual feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
I’ve missed the deadline. Can I still submit an application?
No. Unfortunately, no applications will be accepted after the deadline date.
I do not have a complete manuscript yet. Can I still apply?
Absolutely.
Is there a word limit for my submission?
Yes, the word limit is 10,000 words.
Does Varuna have access for writers with disability or who are D/deaf?
We now have a wheelchair-accessible studio and a Disability Inclusion Action Plan so we can work on eliminating potential barriers to accessing our programs. If you are a writer with disability, please read Accessibility at Varuna (inc DIAP and FAQ) and you can email maeve@varuna.com.au if you have any questions or to discuss your specific requirements.
Can a support worker stay with me during my residency?
If you notify us in advance of your residency that you would like a support worker to stay with you, we can make arrangements for them to either stay in a nearby holiday house or on-site if space is available. If you receive NDIS funding, we can provide any information required to ensure your NDIS support can be used to assist your stay.
Can I apply for more than one Varuna fellowship at a time?
Yes. For example, the First Nations Fellowship is open at the same time as the Roderick Centre fellowship, so if you’re eligible for both, you are welcome to apply for both.
I received a different Varuna residency or virtual fellowship within the past two years. Can I apply for a fellowship again this year?
If you received a different Varuna fellowship within the past two years, you are still eligible to apply for the Roderick Centre Fellowship.
Can I apply for a fellowship submitting work that is already under contract with a publisher?
Yes.
I work with another writer collaboratively. If our application is successful, can we come to Varuna together?
If your writing is genuinely a joint work, please contact maeve@varuna.com.au to explain your specific requirements. We will try to accommodate you if we possibly can.
Can I submit more than one application?
No.