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Australian Laureate Fellowships

Fact Sheet (PDF 257KB)

Information on recently announced grant outcomes under the Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme is on the following pages:

The Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme reflects the Australian Government’s commitment to excellence in research by supporting world-class researchers to conduct research in Australia.

The objectives of the Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme are to:

  • attract and retain outstanding researchers and research leaders of international reputation, with exceptional ability to lead, collaborate, mentor and supervise, and enhance their capacity to create an enduring legacy
  • build focus and scale in research by forging new links among researchers, the international research community and/or industry and other research end-users
  • support a program of innovative and ground-breaking research that addresses a significant problem or gap in knowledge 
  • create a cohesive research program and implementation plan that represents value for money
  • provide an excellent research training environment and exemplary opportunity to nurture early or mid-career researchers
  • produce new or advanced knowledge resulting from the outcomes of the research with economic, commercial, environmental, social and/or cultural benefits for Australia, and to enhance research in Australian Government priority areas.

Up to 17 five-year Australian Laureate Fellowships may be awarded each year, providing funding for Australian Laureate Fellow salary towards a Professional Level E (or equivalent) salary, funding for 2 Postdoctoral Research Associates (5 years), 2 Postgraduate Researchers (4 years), and up to $300,000 per year project funding.

Project funding may be used for:

  • personnel, postdoctoral research associates and research assistants, technicians and laboratory attendants
  • access to research and infrastructure facilities and technical workshop services
  • essential field research
  • expert third party services
  • equipment and consumables
  • publication and dissemination of project research outputs and outreach activities
  • specialised computer equipment and software
  • travel costs essential to the project
  • web hosting and development
  • workshops, focus groups and conferences, and
  • reasonable essential costs for researchers who are carers or who themselves require care.

Preference is given to researchers who will play a significant, sustained leadership and mentoring role in building Australia's internationally competitive research capacity.

Australian Laureate Fellowships include fellowships allocated to exceptional female researchers who will also undertake an ambassadorial role to promote women in research and to mentor early career researchers, particularly women, to encourage them to enter and establish a career in research in Australia. 

One call for submission of Australian Laureate Fellowships applications is made each year.

Two named Australian Laureate Fellowships may be awarded to successful female Australian Laureate Fellows. A Kathleen Fitzpatrick Australian Laureate Fellowship will be available to a highly ranked female candidate from the humanities, arts and social science disciplines, and a Georgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellowship will be available to a highly ranked female candidate from the science and technology disciplines. Please visit the profile page for Kathleen Fitzpatrick and Georgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellows for further information on their research, ambassadorial and mentoring role.

How are the Georgina Sweet and Kathleen Fitzpatrick Laureate Fellowships assessed?

The assessment for these prestigious Fellowships takes place in two stages. Applicants who have indicated interest in either a Georgina Sweet or Kathleen Fitzpatrick Fellowship must first be successful as an Australian Laureate Fellow. Only when the Selection Advisory Committee has recommended them as Australian Laureate Fellows will an applicant be assessed for a Kathleen Fitzpatrick Australian Laureate Fellowship or a Georgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellowship.

The Selection Advisory Committee considers how the applicants will deliver their ambassadorial role based on a description of the activities that will be undertaken to promote and support women in research. Only candidates who can clearly demonstrate their capacity to promote women in research, mentor early career researchers, particularly women, and encourage them to enter and establish careers in research in Australia will be recommended for a Kathleen Fitzpatrick Australian Laureate Fellowship or a Georgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellowship.

Key Documents and Information for Australian Laureate Fellowships 2025

2024 Australian Laureate Fellows

2023 Australian Laureate Fellows

2022 Australian Laureate Fellows

2021 Australian Laureate Fellows