Call for Submissions: John Mulvaney Fellowship Program (Australia)

The John Mulvaney Fellowship Program supports early career researchers and PhD students in the humanities to undertake research, archival work, or field studies that advance knowledge and professional development. Fellows receive AUD 4,000 to cover travel, accommodation, living costs, and research expenses, with projects conducted over a minimum of two weeks. The program emphasizes humanities-based and interdisciplinary research, ethical scholarship, and engagement with academic networks.

Programme Overview

The Fellowship provides targeted financial support for early career researchers and PhD students to access archives, conduct fieldwork, and connect with researchers and academic networks. It encourages high-quality, humanities-focused research while allowing for interdisciplinary projects with a strong humanities component.

Key Objectives

• Support early career researchers and PhD students in advancing their research projects

• Facilitate access to archives, libraries, and research materials

• Promote engagement with academic networks and knowledge exchange

• Enable scholars to undertake research that contributes to the humanities and related interdisciplinary fields

• Support professional development through research outputs and project completion

Fellowship Benefits

• Funding Amount: AUD 4,000 per award

• Eligible Costs Covered:

  • Economy-class travel for domestic or international research

  • Accommodation and living expenses during research travel

  • Research assistance (domestic or international)

  • Archival access, inter-library loans, ordering or scanning materials

  • Caring responsibilities (e.g., childcare, dependent care)

  • Other essential research-related costs approved by the Awards Committee

• Funding Duration: Must be expended by the end of the calendar year following the award

• Research Duration: Minimum of two weeks

Eligible Fields

The Fellowship supports research in the humanities, including but not limited to:

• Archaeology

• History and Indigenous studies

• Languages and linguistics

• Philosophy and religion

• Cultural and communication studies

• Arts, digital humanities, and environmental humanities

• Interdisciplinary projects grounded substantially in the humanities

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Early career researchers or PhD students currently enrolled at Australian institutions

• Independent scholars with a PhD

• Researchers working within institutional settings in Australia

• Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents residing in Australia at the time of nomination

• Applicants must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent

Eligibility Notes:

• Early career researchers are generally defined as those within five years of PhD completion, though career interruptions may be considered

• Previous recipients of the Fellowship are not eligible to apply again

How to Apply

1. Prepare Your Application: Include a detailed research proposal explaining objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and significance to the field

2. Supporting Documents Required:

   • Curriculum vitae (CV)

   • Certified academic documents

   • Two reference letters from eminent scholars

3. Submission: Applications must be submitted electronically via the online grants system

4. Language: All documents must be in English or include a certified English translation

5. Deadline: Submit by 11:59 pm AEDT on Sunday, 29 March 2026

Assessment Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Rigor and significance of the proposed research

• Potential impact within the specialist field

• Capacity to engage and benefit the wider community

• Contribution to the applicant’s academic career development

• Evidence of research outputs, both traditional and non-traditional

Obligations of Successful Fellows

• Comply with ethical and professional standards

• Obtain travel insurance if traveling for research

• Submit a concise report summarizing research outcomes

• Provide acquittal of expenditure for Fellowship funds

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly articulate the relevance of your project to the humanities and interdisciplinary connections

• Provide a well-structured research plan with achievable objectives

• Include evidence of prior research experience or scholarly outputs

• Demonstrate networking and engagement potential with academic communities

• Justify any career interruptions if applying as an early career researcher

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can funds be used solely for conference attendance?
No, funds are intended for research activities. Conference attendance incidental to research is permitted.

2. Is the Fellowship open to international scholars?
No, applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents.

3. Are interdisciplinary projects eligible?
Yes, as long as a substantial component is grounded in the humanities.

4. Can independent researchers apply?
Yes, provided they hold a PhD or are enrolled as a PhD student in Australia.

5. How long must research travel last?
Minimum two weeks, with funds expended by the end of the following calendar year.

6. Can Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants receive support for caring responsibilities?
Yes, the Fellowship covers childcare or dependent care necessary to conduct research.

7. What happens if the research is not completed within the funding period?
Funds must be acquitted and reported within the designated calendar year; incomplete research may affect compliance and reporting obligations.

Conclusion

The John Mulvaney Fellowship Program offers a critical opportunity for early career researchers and PhD students to advance humanities research, access archives and networks, and enhance professional development. By funding projects with clear research significance, the Fellowship strengthens academic capacity, fosters engagement, and promotes meaningful contributions to the humanities in Australia.