Dinny O'Hearn Fellowships

This fellowship, awarded not less frequently than once every three years, offers up to $5,000 to a young Australian writer of fiction, poetry or drama.

Applications open

28 Jun 2021

Applications closed

23 Aug 2021

Application type

Application required
How to apply

Benefit type

Single payment
Full benefit details

Citizenship requirements

Australian / domestic student

Total value

up to $5,000

Applicable study areas

All study areas

Number of scholarships awarded

1

  • Eda Gunaydin
    "This scholarship will provide me with vital financial relief while I work on completing my short story collection, as well as the opportunity to spend some time in Melbourne, which should enable me to conduct research highly pertinent to the manuscript. I sincerely appreciate the generosity of this fellowship and hope it can propel me to finally accomplishing this goal in the very near future."
    - Eda Gunaydin
  • Eligibility & selection criteria

    Eligibility

    To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:

    • be an Australian writer of fiction, poetry or drama and aged no more than 25 at the start of the fellowship.
  • Application process

    Submit your application online with the following supporting documents:

    • full statement of the proposed work to be undertaken during the fellowship;
    • sample of writing from a current or recent project (up to 10 pages);
    • resume and list of publications (up to five pages); and,
    • copy of proof of Australian citizenship (passport, birth certificate or citizenship certificate).

    We cannot accept applications longer than stipulated, or any additional accompanying material.

  • When will I know the outcome?

    Successful applicants will be advised of the outcome via email within 6-8 weeks after the closing date.

  • About the donor

    Dinny O'Hearn Memorial Fellowship

    Friends and colleagues of J D (Dinny) O'Hearn established the Dinny O'Hearn Fellowship to support emerging Australian writers.

    Dinny O'Hearn (1937-1993) was an academic and literary critic who worked at the University of Melbourne and he was the long-time host of SBS TV's 'The Book Show'. His early education was with the Christian Brothers, later completing his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts at the University of Melbourne. O'Hearn's initial appointment at the University of Melbourne was as an English Tutor, he then became the sub-dean of the Faculty of Arts, a position he retained for many years. O'Hearn was the founding executive officer of the Australian Centre which opened in January 1989. He was a prolific writer and essayist and his work was published in Overland, Scripsi and Meanjin. Remembered as having made a lasting contribution to Australian writing and literary life by tirelessly promoting Australian literature in the media, O'Hearn was much mourned by his loyal audience.

    A cast-iron fountain was established by O'Hearn's friends, with the City of Melbourne, to commemorate his  life and work. Sited outside Jimmy Watson's, a famous Lygon Street wine bar with which O'Hearn enjoyed a long assocation along with many of his peers within Melbourne's literary establishment.

What are the benefits?

Offers up to $5,000 and access to support and facilities from the Faculty of Arts.

Recipients are required to:

  • accept award within 21 days; and,
  • acknowledge the support of the Dinny O’Hearn Fellowship in any publication issuing from the award.

ENQUIRIES

artsawards-info@unimelb.edu.au

Legal

The information listed here is subject to change without notice. Where we have listed information about jointly run scholarships programs, please also see our partners' websites. Information describing the number and value of scholarships awarded is indicative.