The Lockie Fellowship is a University of Melbourne award for established writers undertaking an original creative or critical project that advances the study of literature in Australia. The current round is open and offers a one-off payment of up to $15,000. Up to two awards may be offered in the current round.
Applications opened on August 18 and close on 28 September 2026. Eligible applicants must live in Australia, have a genuine publishing record and propose literary work that can benefit from the fellowship’s financial and mentoring support. The project may be new, in progress or close to completion.
Lockie Fellowship Details
The fellowship comes from the Lockie Bequest, created to support the advancement of literature within Australia. Up to two awards may be offered in the current round, with the final amount depending on the selection process.
Projects can be works in progress, new works or works nearing completion. The selection panel considers literary merit, research intentions and the extent to which the proposed project can advance the study of literature in Australia.
Award | University of Melbourne literary fellowship |
|---|---|
Institution | University of Melbourne |
Value | Up to $15,000 |
Number of awards | Up to 2 |
Payment | One-off |
Applicant location | Australia |
Deadline | 28 September 2026 |
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Benefits and Funding
The fellowship provides a one-off financial award that can help an established writer devote time and resources to an original literary project. The maximum advertised benefit for this round is $15,000.
Recipients also work with an academic mentor on dissemination and communication of research outcomes. The fellowship therefore supports both the project itself and the way its results are developed and shared.
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Related opportunity: Applicants comparing another current fellowship can review Humphrey Fellowship Program and compare its eligibility, funding and application timeline with this opportunity.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be established writers residing in Australia and must be working on an original creative or critical project that advances literature within Australia.
A publishing record is required and can include books, chapters, articles or other written works that are not self-published. The project is assessed for literary merit and research value.
Also explore: For another published Guidance Gem option in a related area, see Silicon Valley Fellowship and compare its eligibility, funding and application timeline with this opportunity.
Requirements and Required Documents
The application includes a 300–500 word project statement, a project and publication timeline, preferred mentorship dates, a writing sample of no more than 10 pages and a two-page resume with the applicant’s publication record.
Applicants must also provide proof of Australian residency and any other information that can assist the selection committee. The university may request original evidence later in the process.
How to Apply for the Lockie Fellowship
Apply through the official University of Melbourne scholarship application route linked from the award page. Prepare the project statement and supporting writing material before opening the form.
Review the submission carefully because the project narrative, publication history and research intentions are central to selection. Successful applicants are notified by email.
Application Deadline
The current official award page still labels the fellowship as open for applications while also displaying 28 September 2026 as the closing date. Because those statements conflict, Guidance Gem is treating the current deadline as unverified until the University of Melbourne reconciles the page.
Applicants should submit before the closing day and retain a copy of the submitted materials. The university states that scholarship information can change, so the live award page should be checked before final submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a focused literary fellowship rather than a general student scholarship. Eligibility is built around professional writing activity and a project that advances literature in Australia.
The answers below summarize the current official award page. Applicants should use the live application form for any field-level instructions.
How much is the fellowship worth?
The current award offers a one-off payment of up to $15,000.
Do I need to live in Australia?
Yes. Applicants must be established writers residing in Australia.
What is the deadline?
Applications close on 28 September 2026.
Conclusion
The Lockie Fellowship can give established writers meaningful financial and academic support for a serious literary research or creative project. Its focus is narrow, but that makes the opportunity especially relevant to writers with a strong publication record and a clearly developed project.
Eligible writers should prepare the required statement, writing sample and supporting documents, but should verify the live University of Melbourne page before submitting because its current open status conflicts with the displayed September 28, 2026 closing date.
