The Alastair Swayn Foundation-RMIT Architecture (ASF-RMIT) Affiliated Fellowship at the American Academy in Rome (AAR) is now open for expressions of interest for the 2025-26 cycle. This prestigious opportunity, co-funded by the Alastair Swayn Foundation (ASF) and RMIT Architecture, provides early and mid-career Australian architects, landscape architects, and design professionals a chance to advance their practice through an immersive eight-week residency in Rome.
About the Fellowship
The ASF-RMIT Affiliated Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for architects and designers to engage with a multidisciplinary community at AAR, participate in academic and cultural programs, and explore their projects in an intellectually stimulating environment. Fellows will benefit from the academy’s world-class library, archives, collections, and gardens, as well as lectures, concerts, study trips, and exhibitions.
The eight-week residency can be scheduled between September 2025 and July 2026, with specific dates to be determined in consultation with the successful applicant and AAR.
Fellowship Benefits
The selected Fellow will receive:
- Accommodation: A private room with a bath and a studio workspace.
- Living Allowance: Access to communal meals prepared under the Rome Sustainable Food Project.
- Financial Support: A $7,500 stipend for travel and other expenses.
- Access to Facilities: IT support, academic resources, and 24/7 access to AAR’s library.
- Professional Development: Participation in academy events, lectures, and interdisciplinary discussions.
- Public Engagement: The Fellow will be required to deliver a public lecture in Australia upon their return.
Eligibility Criteria
The Fellowship is open to:
- Australian citizens or permanent residents working in architecture, landscape architecture, or related design professions.
- Australian citizens currently based overseas.
- Applicants who have not previously received a grant from ASF or RMIT that remains unaudited.
Applicants who owe money to ASF or RMIT are ineligible to apply.
Application Requirements
Interested applicants must submit:
- Project Proposal: A one-page A4 format document describing the intended project and its relevance to the applicant’s professional growth.
- Portfolio: A maximum five-page (05) A4 format PDF showcasing relevant built or unbuilt work.
- Biography and CV: A maximum two-page A4 format document summarizing the applicant’s career and achievements.
- References: Contact details for three (03) referees who can support the application.
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by a jury appointed by RMIT Architecture, which will assess submissions based on merit. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews in March 2025, and final recommendations will be made to the ASF Board for endorsement. The successful applicant will be notified by April 2025.
Applications Timeline
The expressions of interest for the ASF-RMIT Affiliated Fellowship open on 31 January 2025 and close on 11 March 2025 (11:59 PM AEDT). If required, interviews will be conducted in March 2025, and the successful applicant will be notified in April 2025. The eight-week residency at the American Academy in Rome will take place between September 2025 and July 2026, with specific dates to be negotiated with the successful candidate.