The National Library of Australia offers an annual fellowship to researchers in Japanese studies.
The Japan Fellowship aims to promote the National Library’s collections as a national resource for the study of Asia. The Fellowship is intended to encourage research based on the Japanese collections and the production of publications based on them.
Established by the Library in 2006, the Japan Fellowship is supported by the H.S. Williams Trust Fund. Harold Stannett Williams (1898-1987) donated his personal collection on Japan and the West to the Library in 1978.
The Fellowship is open to established Australian and international researchers in Japanese studies.
Applicants for Japan Fellowships apply for a Harold White Fellowship using the Harold White Fellowship application form. There is no need for applicants to specify that they are applying for a Japan Fellowship – the Fellowship is awarded to a successful Harold White Fellowship applicant whose research topic is in Japanese studies.
What assistance is offered?
Fellows are provided with a return economy airfare to Canberra, an honorarium of AUD850 per week for the period of the Fellowship in Canberra, use of a fully equipped office, 24 hour access to the Library, and free photocopying and interlibrary loans. Reference support is provided by Japanese speaking staff.
The Library also awards Honorary Fellowships to scholars and writers who do not require financial assistance (i.e. airfare and honorarium) but who would benefit from the other privileges of the Fellowships.
Selection criteria
Fellowships are awarded by the National Library Council, on the advice of an independent committee of representatives from Australia’s learned Academies, the Independent Scholars Association of Australia, the Australian Society of Authors and the Australian Library and Information Association.
The Committee assesses applications against specified criteria, including:
- the capacity of the Library’s collections to support the proposed research, especially the extent to which the research might be uniquely supported by the collections
- the scholarly or creative record of the applicant as shown by publication record and – for academic applicants – positions held; and
- referee reports.
How can I apply?
Applications for 2014 Fellowships are now open. Applications close on April 30 2013, (17:00 Australian Eastern Standard Time). Applicants will be notified of results by the end of August 2013. Online application form. More details here: http://www.nla.gov.au/japanese/fellowship.
