Monica Clare Research Fellowship 2025 Open

Are you an emerging Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researcher, historian, or storyteller passionate about unearthing untold stories from Queensland’s past? The Monica Clare Research Fellowship 2026 is now accepting applications as part of the prestigious Queensland Memory Awards!

About the Fellowship

The Monica Clare Research Fellowship is a powerful platform dedicated to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals who are eager to explore and reinterpret Queensland’s Indigenous histories. Using the rich resources of the John Oxley Library and the State Library of Queensland, fellows can engage in original research that aligns with State Library’s commitment to ethical, inclusive storytelling, as outlined in its Content Strategy.

This annual fellowship honours the legacy of Monica Clare, a renowned political activist and the first Indigenous woman in Australia to publish a novel—Karobran (1978). Her name now champions a new generation of truth-tellers, historians, and knowledge keepers.

Fellowship Benefits

• Stipend: $20,000 to support your research journey
• Workspace: A dedicated research lounge within the Neil Roberts Research Lounge at the State Library
• Exclusive Access: Priority use of the State Library’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collections and expert staff support
• Platform to Publish and Share: Opportunity to amplify your work in Queensland’s cultural and academic circles.

Who Can Apply?

• Individuals who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• Researchers, historians, creatives, or community members with a strong proposal aligned with the Library’s Indigenous collection strategy
• Applicants with a project that seeks to develop new insights into Queensland’s First Nations history and culture.

Apply: https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/get-involved/awards-and-fellowships/queensland-memory-awards/monica-clare-research-fellowship.

The last date to apply for the Monica Clare Research Fellowship 2026 is midnight, 1 August 2025.