Forrest Research Foundation Creative and Performance Leadership Fellowships 2026
Applications must be submitted on the Forrest Research Foundation website: Forrest Research Foundation
The Creative Fellowships are open to candidates from all countries and all creative and performing arts disciplines.
Applicants will have a track record of proven academic excellence and will have already made significant personal contributions to their discipline. They will have gained high-level experience with a research component through studying and researching in a number of different institutions, and have professional experience in the creative arts or performing arts sector.
Eligibility
The Creative Fellowships are open to candidates of any nationality. You will require an outstanding academic track record, be a creative thinker, excellent communicator and wish to join this elite group of exceptional Forrest Creative Fellows.
Applicants for these fellowships will normally be expected to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- A track record of proven academic excellence, such as a PhD or first class Honours (or equivalent).
- Completion of an undergraduate degree (with Honours) within the past eight years (2017 or after), or Masters degree within past five years (2020 or after), or PhD within past two years (2023 or after).
- Completion of a research component in an Honours, Masters or PhD program within a creative arts/performing arts discipline, or proven practitioner research experience and achievements.
- A minimum of three years professional experience in the creative arts/performing arts sector. This could be cumulative across a number of professional contracts/appointments.
The Fellowships can be held at any of Western Australia’s five universities:
- Murdoch University
- Edith Cowan University
- The University of Western Australia
- Curtin University
- The University of Notre Dame Australia (Fremantle Campus)
How to Apply
Apply online via the Forrest Research Foundation Creative Fellowships page:
https://forrestresearch.org.au/creative-fellowships/
Applicants will need to have identified an academic mentor/supervisor at one of the eligible universities before applying.
Louise Renwick, Program and Partnerships Coordinator, Forrest Research Foundation: admin@forrestresearch.org.au
Required Documents
- Completed application form
- CV
- List of grants and awards
- Contact details for three referees (at least two academic)
- Photograph
Payment Method
The Forrest Research Foundation will provide funding for:
- Salary consistent with a Level A Step 8 appointment (approx. $108,362 per annum) plus 17% superannuation
- Accommodation allowance of $25,116 per annum in 2025 (subject to marginal tax rate)
- Research allowance of up to $12,000. This allowance is available for approved research-related expenses, overseas research, and conference travel.
- All interstate and international Fellows can apply for a relocation allowance which can be discussed with the Director if successful.
Within Forrest Hall, you will live amongst other researchers and creative practitioners in a vibrant and inspiring research environment. The Foundation also offers a unique ‘researcher’s journey’ program that exposes our Fellows to world leading researchers, mentoring, connections with Australia’s learned academies and more.
Salary, accommodation allowance and research allowance is provided by the Forrest Research Foundation via the employing university.