First Nations writers are invited to apply for one of twelve week-long residencies at Varuna in 2025, sharing the residency with other First Nations writers, and benefiting from one-on-one mentorship and the sharing of skills and knowledge.

Twelve fellowships will be awarded to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers from anywhere in Australia, for a one-week residency at Varuna, either 24 November - 1 December 2025 or 1 - 8 December 2025. Writers will be allocated a fellowship week based on how their work might align for collaboration, or their availability.

This fellowship program is open to writers of all genres, including fiction, narrative non-fiction, poetry, children's books, graphic novels, dramatic/screenwriting, writing for radio, translation, young adult, essays or short fiction. This program has been expanded in 2025 to include an additional fellowship week and six additional fellowship places. These additional places allow us to broaden our focus to include more non-fiction work, such as language preservation projects, family histories, and culturally significant research. Submissions in language are welcomed.

The fellowship includes:

• A one-week residency at Varuna, including all food and a prepared evening meal, with uninterrupted time to write in your own private studio, and the companionship of your fellow writers
• Travel costs reimbursed between your home and Katoomba
• A one-on-one conversation with a First Nations mentor, and group reading sessions, in a culturally safe space
• A BBQ at the house for the local community

Who is eligible to apply?

Those who identify as being of Indigenous or Torres Strait Islander descent and are over the age of 18 are eligible to apply.

• Phone: 02 4782 5674
• Email: wei@varuna.com.au