The Copyright Agency's Reading Australia Fellowship will support an experienced English and literacy teacher or teacher librarian to undertake research in a dedicated area to benefit the study of Australian Literature in schools.

The Fellowship will provide an opportunity for professional development and research for English and literacy teachers and teacher librarians to enhance their skills and abilities in the teaching of Australian Literature to students.

Research projects may be undertaken in Australia or overseas but ultimately Australian teachers, teacher librarians and students should benefit from the research findings.

Reading Australia has identified the following areas of study as priorities for 2026:

• Teaching Australian Literature in the classroom with a focus on First Nations literature, incorporating culturally appropriate protocols and strategies
• Developing lifelong readers (reading for pleasure, reading identity, choosing strategies, the role of teachers/teacher librarians)
• Teaching diverse texts with a focus on inclusive practices
• Using novels, information texts, picture books and graphic novels to engage with reluctant readers and readers with diverse learning needs
• Teaching poetry in classrooms, exploring Australian stories in verse
• Community and cultural connection (writers-in-schools, cultural educators and engaging local authors)

This Fellowship is open to English and literacy teachers and teacher librarians.

To be eligible to apply for this Fellowship, applicants must:

• have a minimum of five years' teaching experience in Australian schools or libraries
• be employed in a primary or secondary school at the time of application
• be Australian citizens or permanent residents
• acquit any overdue Cultural Fund grants

• Phone: 02 9394 7600
• Email: culturalfund@copyright.com.au