Terms and Conditions

• The Australia Institute Writer in Residence Program is open to writers of non-fiction but is closed to tenured academics (whose writings already receive institutional support.)
• Applicants are invited to provide a short CV, and a supporting statement of no more than one page in support of their application. Please state in one page or less why you have applied to be the 2020 Australia Institute Writer in Residence, what the status of your work is, what you hope to achieve over the residency, and how this residency in 2020 would impact the project.
• Applicants will provide a small sample of writing (no more than 3000 words)
• The winning writer will promote the prize. See ‘Winning Writer’ below for further details of this requirement.
• Please note, all applications for the first round of the 2020 Australia Institute Writer in Residence program are under consideration for the second residency opportunity. Applicants do not need to re-submit an application.

Applicant requirements

• Applicants must be a writer currently residing in Australia or an Australian citizen residing overseas
• By applying to the Australia Institute Writer in Residence Program, applicants agree to their name being promoted if they are selected on the long list, short list, or as the winner.
• Employees and Committee of Management members of the Australia Institute are not eligible to enter.

Application requirements

Please take note of the application requirements carefully, as the Australia Institute Writer in Residence program steering committee is unable to accept entries or notify entrants that do not follow all the terms and conditions correctly.

1. Applicants may submit a maximum of one entry.
2. The writing sample must be submitted in English.
3. Application is to be made up of a short CV, a supporting statement of no more than one page, and a writing sample, as described in Terms & Conditions.
4. The writing sample must be no more than 3,000 words (being either an extract of a longer work or a complete work)
5. The application must be submitted by email to [email protected]. No printed applications will be accepted.
6. The application must be submitted as strictly one PDF or Microsoft Word file containing all application requirements.

Judging

1. Entries will be independently judged.
2. The steering committee’s decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
3. The steering committee may select multiple applicants or no applicant at their discretion.

Winning Writer

1. The names of the writers selected by the Australia Institute Writer in Residence steering committee will be announced on the Endeavour House website, the Australia Institute website, and associated media.
2. The selected writer will receive a desk at the Australia Institute for the period of two weeks, and a stipend of $2,500 per week (i.e. $5,000 stipend for two weeks).
3. The selected writer will receive free (modest) accommodation for the period of the residency. If the selected writer is from Canberra and surrounds and wishes to reside at their normal home during the residency, they will instead receive a small additional honorarium.
4. The selected writer must acknowledge the Australia Institute Writer in Residence Program in any publication resulting from work created as a result of the residency.
5. The selected writer will write a testimonial of at least 200 words about the residency for publication on The Level and the Australia Institute website and/or media releases, explaining the benefits of the residency.
6. The selected writer will give one public talk about their work in general or run one writing workshop, as negotiated with the steering committee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to include in my application?

• a short CV
• a supporting statement of no more than one page in support of your application. Please state in one page or less why you have applied to be the 2020 Australia Institute Writer in Residence, what the status of your work is, what you hope to achieve over the residency, and how this residency in 2020 would aid in your work
• a small sample of writing (no more than 3,000 words)

Note: applications must adhere to all relevant terms and conditions as outlined on this page.

Do you have a set criteria for selecting the successful applicant?

The only criteria for applicants is that they must be a writer who is currently residing in Australia or an Australian citizen residing overseas. The program is open to writers of non-fiction but is closed to tenured academics -- whose writings already receive institutional support.

Applicants will be assessed on their application letter outlining why they have applied, what the status of the work is, and what they hope to achieve over the residency, along with their writing samples and CV.

What are the dates for the residency?

There are no set dates for the residency, other than it taking place during 2020. The specific dates would be negotiated between the selected writer and the steering committee.

Are you looking for a writer with a project at a particular stage of development?

There is no set stage that the writing project needs to be at for consideration for the residency. It is, however, the intention of the program that the residency would give the selected writer the time to focus on a specific stated writing project.

What types of writing will the committee consider?

The Australia Institute Writer in Residence program is open to all writers of non-fiction.