Willem Snoek Conservation Award

About

The Willem Snoek Conservation Award supports a heritage conservation project initiated by students studying at the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation.

Applications open

11 May 2026

Applications close

6 July 2026

Benefits

Up to $4,500 is available and more than one award may be offered from this amount. Award payments will be made as a single lump-sum.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:

• be enrolled in a course at the University of Melbourne's Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation; and,
• be undertaking a cultural materials conservation project in the field of heritage conservation.

Selection criteria

The scholarship will be awarded to the applicants who make the most compelling case for support by demonstrating:

• the positive impact of the award to their intended research including the innovation levels and impact within relevant communities;
• the quality and feasibility of the identified cultural materials conservation project, including its scope;
• academic merit; and,
• the skills, experience and aptitude required to carry out the proposed project as evidenced by the application.

Conditions

Recipients are required to:

• accept the award online within 21 days;
• acquit the project in line with the stated aims of the application;
• complete the project within 12 months following the offer of the award; and,
• submit a final report within 21 days of completion of the project.

Outcome

Applicants are advised of the outcome via email within 8-10 weeks.

Application process

Eligible applicants must complete the online application form, including:

• a 300-500 word project proposal outlining a cultural materials conservation project, including the scope of the project;
• a 100-word statement outlining how the project will demonstrate innovation;
• a 100-word statement explaining how the project will impact relevant communities;
• a project plan and indicative 12-month timeline;
• an indicative budget;
• at least one academic reference;
• a current statement of results; and,
• any other information to support the application that may assist the committee in making its decision.

Apply

Enquiries

artsawards-info@unimelb.edu.au

About the donors

The Willem Snoek Conservation Fund was established to honour the life and work of Willem Snoek. The purpose of the fund is to support student activities at the University of Melbourne’s Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation in the field of heritage conservation. Several donors have contributed to the fund, including lead gifts from Mr Robert Cripps AM and Professor Robyn Sloggett AM, Director of the Centre and widow of Willem.

Willem was an archaeologist, teacher, craftsman and heritage conservator. He was a graduate of the University of Melbourne (BA, Dip Ed) and La Trobe University (Hons Archaeology). He worked on sites and places across Victoria and southern South Australia. He is particularly remembered for his work with Indigenous communities and government organisations.

Recipient feedback

Leila Alhagh and Sophie Lewincamp

Our project ‘Glimpse of Hajj’ aims to facilitate community engagement with manuscripts of the Middle Eastern Collection of the University of Melbourne through digital technologies. As early-career academic conservators, we have been able to translate our research into tangible avenues for wider engagement, including the research and the production of a video on Muslim pilgrimage. The Willem Snoek Scholarship has provided opportunities to connect with the Muslim communities and has allowed us to share this significant and under utilised collection of manuscripts more widely.

The information listed here is subject to change without notice. Information describing the number and value of scholarships awarded is indicative.