Frank Sargeson Fellowship 2025

By Ōtepoti He Puna Auaha | Dunedin UNESCO City Of Literature | Posted: Wednesday Oct 16, 2024

Applications close on Sunday, 30 October 2024, for a Fellowship commencing February 2025

The Frank Sargeson Trust is seeking applications from published New Zealand writers for the 2025 Sargeson Fellowship.

This prestigious Fellowship, named in memory of New Zealand writer Frank Sargeson, is offering in 2025 an increased stipend of $26,000 for the selected writer to work fulltime on a project(s). The Sargeson Fellowship may be shared by two fellows over the tenure period, February 2025 to October 2025.

Former Fellow and multiple-award-winner Catherine Chidgey says,

“The Fellowship continues the work of the legendary Frank Sargeson, who supported so many New Zealand writers at crucial stages of their careers. I was lucky enough to be a Sargeson Fellow the year that my first novel was published, and it allowed me precious time to work on my second book as well as providing an enormous boost in confidence – invaluable.”

One of the 2024 recipients, novelist Josie Shapiro, describes her time as a Sargeson Fellow:

“The four months I was at the Sargeson apartment will be remembered as some of the most productive and creative of my entire life. I was able to retreat there to focus solely on my art and my work, with the support and validation of the Trust. The Fellowship gave me permission to do nothing but think, create, play, recreate and tinker, for four months. What a gift.”

Elizabeth Aitken Rose, the chair of the Sargeson Trust, says,

“The fellowship has supported our New Zealand literary community for nearly 40 years and continues to do so. The call for applications for 2025 comes as Sargeson’s own contribution to our country’s literature is recognised along side that of our first Fellow, Janet Frame, by being inscribed on the Aotearoa New Zealand register of UNESCO’s Memory of the World.”

Please note the Trust is unable to offer a residency at the Sargeson flat in 2025 because of building repairs.

Applications close on Sunday, 30 October 2024, for a Fellowship commencing February 2025.

For further information, the application form, and terms and conditions, go to: Fellowship 2025 – Frank Sargeson