The Fellowship recognises the achievements and artistic goals of contemporary Australian poets.

In partnership with Varuna - the National Writers House, the Red Room Poetry Fellowship supports six poets to deeply engage with and develop their practice.

This opportunity encourages poets to undertake an intensive period of creative development including a residency at Varuna or remotely, mentorship, as well as a poetic commission to be published as part of Poetry Month in August. All six poets will be in residence simultaneously, establishing a community of practice, and encouraging new poetic connections.

Five Fellows will be selected through a competitive process to undertake a residency at Varuna in the week of Monday 25 August - Monday 1 September 2025. Additionally, one extra place is provided for a sixth poet as part of our Anywhere Remote Fellowship. This residency is designed to broaden access for poets who face additional barriers that may make traveling to Varuna a challenge.

Applications for the 2025 Fellowships open 9am, Tuesday 3 December 2024 (AEDT) and close 5pm Tuesday 4 February 2025 (AEDT).

2025 Program Overview

Residency dates: Monday 25 August to Monday 1 September 2025 (non-transferable)
Applications open: 9am Tuesday 3 December 2024 (AEDT)
Applications close: 5pm Tuesday 4 February 2025 (AEDT)
Places: Five poets will be chosen to stay in person at Varuna, with one extra place for a sixth poet as part of the Anywhere Remote Fellowship.
Who should apply: Poets who have previously been programmed or commissioned by Red Room Poetry, and Emerging Poets who have had no more than one collection of poetry published.
Fees: There are no application fees or residency fees for this program. All poets receive a $1000 stipend each.

2025 Fellows Will Receive

• $1000 stipend each
• A one-week residency at Varuna, with all meals and accommodation provided (Monday 25 August - Monday 1 September 2025). Please note these dates are not transferable.
• A one-on-one one site mentoring consultation and group workshopping session
• A public reading opportunity as part of Poetry Month 2025
• Online publication of a poem as part of Poetry Month 2025

Anywhere Remote Fellowship

One residency is offered to be undertaken remotely, during the same week (Monday 25 August - Monday 1 September 2025). This Fellow will receive:

• $1000 stipend
• A one-on-one online mentoring consultation
• An online public reading opportunity in 2025
• Online publication of a poem in 2025

Eligibility

All Australian poets previously commissioned or programmed by Red Room Poetry and emerging poets are invited to apply. At least one of the six places is reserved for a First Nations poet, and at least one place for a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse poet, and at least one place for an Emerging Poet. For more details, see the Terms and Conditions.

If you prefer to submit your application as a Word document, please email us at access@redroompoetry.org with your completed form and support material.