Awards

The English-Speaking Union (Victoria Branch),
a registered Australian charity,
invites applications for the following awards:

 

ESU Writer's Residency

$5,000 stipend, up to $3,000 of travel and accomodation and one month of workspace at ESU House in Melbourne to help a writer complete or substantially add to a written project.

Closing date: 31 August 2025.

More information and application form: click HERE.

This award was launched in 2024. To read about the 2024 winner, click HERE.


ESU Youth Writing Contest (new in 2025)

$2,000 for a 16-25-year-old Australian citizen to complete a written piece.

Details coming soon!


ESU Formal Verse Contest

1st Prize: $5,000
Runner-up: $1,000
ESU President's Choice Award: $1,000 
Reader's Choice Award: $1000

Closing date: TBA

This contest is for single-authored metrical poems (rhymed or unrhymed) in traditional or invented forms.

The Formal Verse Contest was launched in 2024 and was judged by Stephen Edgar. To view the Shortlist (annnounced 11 Oct 2024), click HERE. To read the winning poems (announced 14 Dec 2024), click HERE


Junior Leadership Bursary

Up to $1,500 for development of leadership skills for people aged under 18 in regional Victoria.

This Bursary is not being offered at present. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Click HERE to read about the past recipients.


Major Project Grant

Up to $10,000 for a project that contributes to the appreciation and promotion of any aspect of the heritage, culture, identity and fellowship of the English-speaking peoples

Closing date: 15 March in year of application.

Click HERE to read about the winners and their projects.


Minor Project Grant

Up to $2,000, offered three times per year, for a project that contributes to the appreciation and promotion of any aspect of the heritage, culture, identity and fellowship of the English-speaking peoples

Closing dates: 31 March, 31 July, 15 December in year of application.

Click HERE to read about the winners and their projects.


Oldham Wedlick Scholarship

Up to $5,000 for further study and appreciation of the English language

Closing date: 15 December in year of application.

Click HERE to read about the recipients of this Scholarship and their work.


Travel bursaries, to support the costs of travel for relevant projects

If you require assistance with travel costs associated with activities that align with the ESU's interests, please consider applying for a Minor Project Grant.
Alternatively, express interest by email to: awards@esuvic.org.au 


Young Leader Bursary

Up to $3,000 for development of leadership skills for people aged 18 - 25 in regional Victoria

This Bursary is not being offered at present. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Click HERE to read about the past recipients.


Information and application forms can be found by selecting the above links.

Please note that none of these awards can cover retrospective funding for expenses that you have already incurred.

The deadline is 11:59 pm Melbourne time on the closing date for each award.

If you have questions that are NOT answered via the above links, please send them by email to: awards@esuvic.org.au 


This page was updated on 25 July 2025.