Student research fellowship

Applications open on Monday 12 May 2025 at 9am AEST and close on Friday 11 July 2025 at 5pm AEST.

Fellowships are open to both Australian and international students who are interested in undertaking research at MHNSW on a research project. Applicants must be enrolled in third-year undergraduate or postgraduate studies at a NSW university, in history, architecture or other related degree.

All applicants must apply through the MHNSW website when the application period is open. The application form is to be completed online and necessary supporting documents uploaded in Portable Document Format (PDF). Guidelines on how to complete the application form, including word limits, can be found in the application form. If you have any further queries about eligibility or how to apply, please email fellowship@mhnsw.au.

Applications must be submitted by the student applying for the fellowship. Applicants must ensure that their university is aware of their intention to apply for a fellowship.

Third-year undergraduate students are required to obtain a Statement of support from their course lecturer acknowledging their competence in research capabilities and commitment to studies.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review their application prior to submission and only submit when it is in its final form. Should a significant change need to be made after submission, applicants should contact fellowship@mhnsw.au regarding a resubmission of the application prior to the closing date. Resubmissions after the closing date will not be accepted.

The purpose of a referee is to strengthen applications and ensure that an applicant is a good fit with the fellowship objectives. A referee may be anyone who has lectured or worked closely with the applicant.

Statement of support

Third-year undergraduate applicants will need to include a statement of support from a course lecturer, including general comments about the applicant’s abilities as a student/researcher and personal attributes that make the applicant suitable to receive the fellowship.

Curriculum vitae (CV)

Applicants are required to upload their CV within the application form. A CV is to be no longer than two pages and where applicable should include previous studies and personal achievements. It should also include a short personal statement (50 words) outlining the applicant’s interests, research approach and career aspirations.

Academic transcript

A current academic transcript must be submitted with the application.

Abstract

Maximum 150 words summarising the applicant’s approach to the assigned research topic.

Project brief

A 500-word project description outlining research questions, approach and expected results. Please include a project timeline.

Accompanying documentation will need to be in Portable Document Format (PDF). Please note that all accompanying documents must be in English. Documents originally in another language must be translated into English before submitting.

After applicants have submitted their applications, they will receive an automated email indicating that it has been received. Applications will be assessed by a panel comprising MHNSW staff and an independent external representative. Successful applicants will be notified on Monday 1 September 2025.

All applicants will receive a notification of the outcome of their application via email, regardless of whether it is successful or not.

Each fellow must:

• provide a written report detailing the nature and outcomes of the research carried out
• author one article (maximum 2,000 words) on the outcome of their research project, which will be edited by MHNSW for the purpose of publishing on its website, at the discretion of MHNSW
• deliver in person or online a presentation on their research outcomes to internal and/or external stakeholders by the end of March 2026, on a date to be determined by MHNSW in consultation with the individual fellow.

Fellows must acknowledge MHNSW in any works created as a result of the fellowship.

The panel comprises MHNSW staff and an independent external representative.

The following criteria will be used to select applicants for the fellowship:

• alignment of proposed project with the specified topic
• originality of proposed project
• clear explanation of research goals
• relevance of the proposed project to the Caroline Simpson Library Collection and/or NSW State Archives Collection
• supporting documents as outlined in Accompanying documents.

Fellows must be available for a continuous period of eight weeks (excluding MHNSW Christmas shutdown period), commencing Monday 24 November 2025 and ending Friday 30 January 2026.

The MHNSW Christmas shutdown period is from Monday 22 December 2025 to Friday 2 January 2026.

By submitting an application and if successful, you:

• certify that you have read and understood the Terms and conditions of the fellowship and confirm that the information contained within both the application and supporting documents is, to the best of your knowledge, is correct
• consent to have the information in your application shared with the selection panel for the purpose of assessment
• understand that, on acceptance of a fellowship, you are bound to carry out the research project outlined in the Guidelines and in accordance with the Terms and conditions of the fellowship
• consent to MHNSW making information about successful applications public, including all research outcomes.

The following payment will be made to fellows:

• $2,500 to third-year undergraduate students
• $5,000 to postgraduate students

A travel bursary of $1,200 will be available for successful regional applicants to support travel and accommodation costs.

Payment will be made in two stages via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to a nominated bank account. The first payment of 50% will be made on commencement, with the remaining 50% paid on the week beginning Monday 5 January 2026 on approval of a progress report provided by your mentor.

Applicants must seek their own tax advice.

MHNSW will provide a work desk when the applicant is on site and an MHNSW laptop.