Awards
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The English-Speaking Union (Victoria Branch),
a registered Australian charity,
invites applications for the following awards:
$5,000 stipend, up to $3,000 of travel and accommodation, and one month of workspace at ESU House in Melbourne to help a writer complete or substantially add to a written project.
Most recent closing date: 31 August 2025. Plans for 2026 have not yet been announced.
More information and application form: click HERE
This award was launched in 2024. To read about the past winners, click the date below:
2025 (coming soon)
ESU Youth Writing Contest (new in 2025)
$2,000 for a 16-25-year-old Australian citizen to complete a written piece.
Most recent closing date: 15 October 2025. Plans for 2026 have not yet been announced.
More information and application form: click HERE.
This award was launched in 2025. To read about the winner, click the date below:
2025 (coming soon)
Runner-up: $1,000
ESU President's Choice Award: $1,000
Best Entry by a Resident of the State of Victoria: $1,000
This contest is for single-authored metrical poems (rhymed or unrhymed) in traditional or invented forms.
To read the 2025 shortlist and cast your vote for the Reader's Choice Award click HERE
The Formal Verse Contest was launched in 2024 and was judged by Stephen Edgar. To view the 2024 Shortlist (announced 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.
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.
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.
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 6 January 2026.