Research grants

Supporting archival research

One of the National Archives' key roles is to promote archival research in Australia and to encourage scholarly use of our collection. We offer three research grants for advanced research and professional development: 

• Ian Maclean Award for archivists and other professionals who are interested in archival issues – up to $15,000
• Frederick Watson Fellowship for established scholars – up to $15,000
• Margaret George Award for talented, emerging scholars – up to $10,000

Our awards and fellowships are designed to help scholars complete an innovative research project that:

• is significant to Australian audiences 
• makes substantial use of the National Archives collection 
• produces articles, a book, website, exhibition, film or event to promote the National Archives collection.

Find out how to apply.

Postgraduate scholarships

The National Archives and the Australian Historical Association provide postgraduate scholarships for the digitisation of records.

Collaborative research

The Archives also participates in collaborative research with universities and other cultural institutions through the Australian Research Council grants scheme. For example, the National Archives is one of the partner organisations with the Departments of Veterans' Affairs and Defence, the Australian War Memorial and National Univeristy's four-year project titled 'Serving Our Country: a history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the defence of Australia' which commences in 2013.