Call for Expressions of Interest:
- H.C. Coombs Creative Arts Fellowship in Writing
- H.C. Coombs Creative Arts Indigenous Fellowship in Writing 

Deadline: Monday 15 December 2025

Established in 1964 by Dr H.C. ‘Nugget’ Coombs, then Pro-Chancellor of The Australian National University, the H.C. Coombs Creative Arts Fellowship was the first program of its kind in an Australian university. Conceived to foster creative work in the arts and to embed artists within the intellectual and cultural life of the campus, the Fellowship encourages a dynamic exchange between creative practice and academic research—extending the University’s reach from traditional research to artistic innovation.
Rotating across disciplines such as writing, performance, and visual arts, the Fellowships have, over six decades, welcomed an extraordinary diversity of artists—writers, poets, painters, printmakers, sculptors, ceramicists, filmmakers, photographers, tapestry-weavers, performers, designers, and composers—whose residencies have inspired collaboration, experimentation, and community engagement. Past Fellows include Judith Wright, Arthur Boyd, John Perceval, Fiona Hall, Robyn Davidson, Amanda Lohrey, Melissa Lucashenko, Andrew Farris, Julie Gough, Don Burrows, George Dreyfus, Xavier Herbert, Christina Stead, Penny Tweedie, and Rodney Hall, among many others whose creative practices have shaped Australia’s cultural landscape.

In 2019, the H.C. Coombs Creative Arts Indigenous Fellowship was established by the Research School of Humanities and the Arts as a strategic priority, aligning with ANU’s national responsibilities and commitment to partnership with Indigenous Australia. Supporting mid-career and established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, the Fellowship provides time and space for uninterrupted creative work in residence at ANU, while celebrating the continuing vitality and leadership of First Nations creativity and its essential place within the University’s intellectual and cultural landscape.

Together, these Fellowships embody ANU’s enduring commitment to creativity as a form of research, reflection, and cultural dialogue—enriching the University community and contributing to Australia’s artistic and intellectual life.
 

2026 H.C. Coombs Creative Arts Fellowships
In 2026, both the H.C. Coombs Creative Arts Fellowship and the H.C. Coombs Creative Arts Indigenous Fellowship will be awarded to writers.

Award: A$33,000 (including living expenses, travel costs and costs of materials). 
Fellows spend three to five months in residence at the ANU, working on a writing project, participating in a public event and working with students. 
Writers are provided with a room, computer, library and printing access. 
Former writing fellows include Ellen van Neerven (2023), Emily Maguire (2023), Melissa Lukashenko (2019), Gabrielle Carey (2019), Amanda Lohrey (2016), Brenda Walker (2011), Frank Moorhouse (2008). 

Selection Criteria:
Mid-career/ established writer in any discipline with at least two works performed or published by a nationally or internationally-recognised press, theatre or production company.
While the writer will have a substantial period of time to work on their writing, they will be expected to contribute up to three guest talks to students, be available for meetings one afternoon per week, and participate in one public event.
Writers need to be Australian residents.

Writers who are enrolled in tertiary study are ineligible to apply.

Expression of Interest:
Please include a CV and a statement of up to one page about the project you plan to work on; and a description of the outcomes of the residency.
Please include the names and contact details for two referees. 
To apply, send your EOI to  rsha.ea.cass@anu.edu.au

For queries about the 2026 Writing Fellowships, contact: LucyNeave@anu.edu.au

Deadline: Monday 15 December 2025