Elevate: Supporting First Nations Storytelling and Literature in Australia

The Elevate: First Nations Storytelling and Literature Fund supports Australian First Nations writers, poets, editors, illustrators, journalists, arts workers, and literature-sector groups to develop their careers and create, publish, and promote First Nations stories. Successful applicants receive a fixed grant of $10,000 AUD for eligible activities that begin on or after 1 February 2027 and are completed within 12 months.

About the Elevate: First Nations Storytelling and Literature Fund

The Elevate Fund is designed to strengthen the professional development and creative opportunities of Australian First Nations practitioners working in the literature sector.

The program supports the creation and sharing of First Nations stories, voices, knowledge, and perspectives across Australia and internationally. It can help practitioners develop new literary work, build professional networks, access mentoring and training, and reach wider audiences.

Supported projects can take place in Australia, internationally, online, or through a combination of delivery formats.

What Does the Fund Support?

The Elevate Fund provides support for a broad range of career development, literary creation, publishing, and storytelling activities.

Eligible activities may include:

• Creation of new literary works.
• Writing, poetry, editing, illustration, journalism, and related literary projects.
• Professional mentoring and career development.
• Residencies and creative development programs.
• Publishing and promotional activities.
• Book launches and literary events.
• Community Elders Oral History Recordings.
• Participation in local, national, or international literary events.
• Conferences and professional networking opportunities.
• Masterclasses, workshops, and short courses.
• Activities that promote and share First Nations stories and voices.

The program is particularly relevant to applicants seeking support for creative development, professional growth, cultural storytelling, publishing, and audience engagement.

Funding Amount

Each successful applicant or eligible group receives a fixed grant of $10,000 AUD.

The grant is intended to cover eligible project expenses associated with the proposed activity.

Funding can support:

• Artist and practitioner fees.
• Editing and publishing expenses.
• Travel and accommodation.
• Residency fees.
• Short-course fees.
• Masterclasses and workshops.
• Accessibility and access costs.
• Elders’ consultations and advice.
• Cultural protocol fees.
• Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) fees.
• Small creative capital costs directly related to the project.

Project Timeframe

Supported activities must meet the program’s timeframe requirements.

• Earliest start date: 1 February 2027.
• Maximum project duration: 12 months.
• Projects must be completed within 12 months of their proposed start date.
• Activities should be planned so that the $10,000 grant can be used effectively within the approved project period.

Applicants should ensure that proposed activities are achievable within the available funding and timeframe.

Who Is Eligible?

The fund is specifically intended for Australian First Nations people and groups working in the literature sector.

Eligible applicants may include:

• Writers.
• Poets.
• Editors.
• Illustrators.
• Journalists.
• Arts workers.
• Literature-sector groups.

Applicants must:

• Be Australian First Nations individuals or groups.
• Be based in Australia.
• Work within the literature sector.
• Have a project or professional development activity that fits the objectives of the fund.
• Ensure the proposed activity begins on or after 1 February 2027.
• Complete the supported activity within 12 months.

Who Is Not Eligible?

Applicants should carefully check the exclusions before applying.

The fund does not support:

• Previous recipients of this program within the last year.
• Applicants who are not based in Australia.
• Educational fees as the primary purpose of the application.
• Large capital equipment purchases.
• Projects that have already received funding from Creative Australia.
• More than one application from the same applicant in a single round.

Only one application per applicant per round is permitted.

What Can the $10,000 Grant Be Used For?

The funding is flexible enough to support both creative production and professional development.

For example, a writer could use the grant to develop a new book, pay for professional editing, participate in a residency, attend an international literary event, or undertake mentoring.

A literature-sector practitioner could also combine several eligible activities within one coherent project, such as:

1. Developing a new literary work.
2. Working with an editor or mentor.
3. Undertaking cultural consultations.
4. Publishing or promoting the completed work.
5. Participating in an event or conference to build professional networks.

The proposed costs should directly relate to the project and demonstrate how the funding will contribute to the applicant’s creative or professional development.

Why the Elevate Fund Matters

The program provides targeted support for First Nations storytelling, literary careers, cultural knowledge, and creative practice.

Its importance extends beyond individual financial assistance. By supporting First Nations practitioners to create and share original work, the fund can contribute to:

• Greater visibility for First Nations voices.
• Professional development within Australia’s literature sector.
• Creation of new First Nations literary works.
• Preservation and sharing of cultural knowledge.
• Stronger connections between artists, communities, publishers, and audiences.
• International and national exposure for First Nations stories.
• Recognition of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property.

The fund therefore combines arts funding, career development, cultural preservation, storytelling, and audience engagement.

How to Apply

Applicants should develop a clear project proposal that demonstrates why the activity is important and how the $10,000 grant will be used.

A practical application process is:

1. Confirm your eligibility.
   Make sure you are an Australian First Nations applicant working in the literature sector and meet the program’s other requirements.
2. Define your project.
   Clearly explain what you want to create, develop, publish, learn, or deliver.
3. Establish the timeframe.
   Make sure the activity starts on or after 1 February 2027 and can be completed within 12 months.
4. Prepare a realistic budget.
   Identify eligible expenses such as artist fees, editing, publishing, travel, accommodation, mentoring, workshops, cultural consultations, or ICIP-related costs.
5. Explain the professional and creative benefits.
   Describe how the project will strengthen your career, creative practice, literary work, or contribution to the sector.
6. Address cultural considerations.
   Where relevant, explain how Elders’ consultation, cultural protocols, or Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property considerations will be incorporated.
7. Submit only one application.
   Applicants are limited to one application per round.

Tips for a Strong Application

A competitive application should be specific, realistic, and clearly connected to the fund’s objectives.

Consider the following:

• Explain the idea clearly: Avoid vague descriptions of your proposed work.
• Show professional development: Explain how the activity will strengthen your skills, career, networks, or creative practice.
• Provide a realistic budget: Match each major expense to a specific project activity.
• Demonstrate cultural responsibility: Include appropriate consultation, cultural protocols, and ICIP considerations where relevant.
• Keep the project achievable: The grant is fixed at $10,000, so the scope should be realistic.
• Explain the audience or community benefit: Show how the work will be shared, published, presented, or made accessible.
• Check previous funding: Ensure the proposed project has not already been funded by Creative Australia.
• Check timing: Do not propose activities that begin before 1 February 2027.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid submitting proposals that fall outside the program’s eligibility or funding rules.

Common issues include:

• Applying when the applicant is not an Australian First Nations practitioner or group.
• Submitting more than one application in the same round.
• Proposing a project that has already started.
• Requesting funding primarily for educational fees.
• Including large capital equipment purchases.
• Failing to demonstrate how the project supports career or creative development.
• Providing an unrealistic budget for a $10,000 fixed grant.
• Ignoring ICIP, cultural protocol, or Elders’ consultation requirements where they are relevant.
• Applying for a project that has already received Creative Australia funding.

Key Details at a Glance

• Program: Elevate: First Nations Storytelling and Literature Fund
• Funding: $10,000 AUD per successful applicant or group
• Applicant location: Australia
• Target applicants: Australian First Nations literature-sector practitioners and groups
• Eligible fields: Writing, poetry, editing, illustration, journalism, arts work, and related literature activities
• Earliest activity start: 1 February 2027
• Maximum duration: 12 months
• Delivery: Australia, international, online, or hybrid
• Applications per round: One per applicant
• Previous recipients: Applicants who received this program’s funding within the last year are not eligible

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Elevate: First Nations Storytelling and Literature Fund?

It is a funding program supporting Australian First Nations practitioners and groups in the literature sector with career development, creative production, publishing, storytelling, and professional development activities.

How much funding does the Elevate Fund provide?

Each successful applicant or group receives a fixed grant of $10,000 AUD.

Who can apply for the Elevate Fund?

Australian First Nations individuals and groups working in the literature sector can apply. This includes writers, poets, editors, illustrators, journalists, and arts workers.

What can the Elevate grant pay for?

Eligible expenses can include artist fees, editing and publishing, travel and accommodation, residencies, mentoring, workshops, masterclasses, access costs, Elders’ consultations, cultural protocol fees, ICIP fees, and small creative capital costs related to the project.

When can funded projects start?

Supported activities must commence on or after 1 February 2027 and must be completed within 12 months.

Can I apply if I received this program’s funding last year?

No. Previous recipients of the Elevate program within the last year are not eligible to apply.

Can I submit more than one application?

No. Applicants are permitted to submit only one application per round.

Conclusion

The Elevate: First Nations Storytelling and Literature Fund provides $10,000 in targeted support for Australian First Nations literature-sector practitioners and groups. The funding can help applicants create new work, strengthen professional skills, access mentoring and residencies, publish and promote their work, and share First Nations stories with audiences in Australia and internationally.