The AQuA Research Fellowship is a research award intended to assist scholars and historians further their research in Australian LGBTIQA+ history.

The Award commemorates Kevin Anderson who died in 2022, leaving major bequests to three community organisations, including the Australian Queer Archives. Funds for this award were donated in his memory by an anonymous donor.

Applications due 1 September 2025 (send to president@queerarchives.org.au).

The Award will be announced in October 2025.

Terms and conditions

Funding of up to $5000 is awarded to assist with expenses of a research trip undertaken to the Australian Queer Archives in support of a project in Australian LGBTQA+ history. Applicants are required to show how the research is essential to the completion of the project and how the findings will be subsequently published or otherwise made available to the public. A copy of the outcome of the project (book/article/report/documentary etc) should be deposited with the archives.

Funds awarded must be expended by the end of the calendar year following the date of the award. AQuA reserves the right to recoup funds if these terms and conditions have not been met and/or funds have not been expended. The award winner must, on the completion of the project, provide a report of at least two pages, detailing the outcomes of the research, to AQuA. Recipients must make suitable acknowledgement of the award in funding the research in any resulting publication.

Eligibility

The award is available to anyone working on Australian LGBTIQA+ history, whether academic, professional, or public historians.

Applications

Applicants are required to complete the application form, and provide a detailed budget for up to $5000 and a two-page summary of their intended research project and its significance. Written evidence of publishers’ or other sponsors’ willingness to support the project, including with other projected costs, will be considered favourably.

Applications should be emailed to president@queerarchives.org.au by 1 September.

Selection

Applications will be judged by a panel of three appointed by the Australian Queer Archives Committee. Applications will be assessed on the rigour and significance of the research, its likely impact within a specialist field, and its potential to engage and/or benefit the wider community. The judges’ decision will be final.