Apply to be the next Reading Australia Fellow

Every year the Copyright Agency offers a $15,000 Fellowship to an English/literacy teacher or teacher librarian to undertake professional development in the form of a research project in Australia or overseas.
Here’s what you need to know about the fellowship.

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What is the Reading Australia Fellowship?

The Reading Australia Fellowship is a prestigious program designed to support teachers of English and Literacy and teacher librarians undertake a research project that will have widespread benefits to all educators across the country.

The Copyright Agency created Reading Australia in 2013 to provide much-need resources for Australian teachers. There are now 275 curriculum-mapped resources on Reading Australia for Years K to12.

Who can apply?

The fellowship is open to educators who meet the following criteria:
• A minimum of five years’ teaching experience in Australian schools or libraries.
• Employed in a primary or secondary school at the time of application.
• Australian citizens or permanent residents.

Applications for the 2025 Fellowship will open in early March for projects to start after August 1, 2025.

Benefits of the Fellowship

The Reading Australia Fellowship provides:
• Financial support to execute your proposed project.
• Access to networks of educators, authors, and researchers.
• Opportunities to contribute to the growing field of Australian literary studies and education.
• Recognition as a leader in promoting Australian literature.

How to apply

You should only consider applying if you already have a clear idea of your intended project, as applications require a detailed project description and budget. Past projects have included:

• The fate of the Australian written voice in the age of AI generated texts (Bridget Foster, 2023).
• Approaches and language used by educators, families and publishers when they engage with literature that includes non-heteronormative relationships and family structures (Jantiena Batt, 2022).
• Developing a toolkit for teachers and teacher librarians to help students to better select books, with a focus on diverse and engaging Australian writing (Edwina West, 2021).
• The connection between the Australian landscape and literature and developing an extensive resource to support English teachers in improving their students’ writing (Karen Yager, 2020).
• Best practice around teaching Indigenous literature in the classroom and developing a greater understanding of the issues, protocols and sensitivities involved (Alex Wharton, 2019).

Along with a project outline, applicants are required to submit a one-page CV outlining their teaching experience; a letter of support from their school; a proposed itinerary and budget; and a letter of support from relevant First Nations individuals or communities (if applicable).

The Fellow will be expected to write a report of between 5000 and 10,000 words and to present their research findings at a teachers’ conferences, as well as more locally to colleagues and peers.

Tips for a strong application

• Be specific: Avoid vague goals. Clearly articulate what you plan to do and how you will achieve it.
• Show impact: Highlight how your project will make a difference for educators, students, or the literary community.
• Demonstrate passion: Showcase your enthusiasm for Australian literature and your commitment to fostering its growth.
• Seek feedback: Have a trusted colleague review your application to ensure clarity and coherence.

Why apply?

The Reading Australia Fellowship is more than just a grant—it’s an opportunity to deepen your engagement with Australian literature, inspire others, and leave a lasting impact on the way Australian stories are taught, appreciated, and understood.

Inaugural winner, Alex Wharton said: “‘The Fellowship has been life changing. Teachers can be reluctant to invest in themselves, but this is an opportunity to pause and invest in your own professional care.”