Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships:
Eligibility & Funding
What is the deadline for Expressions of Interest?
Expressions of interest for the 2025 Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships program will close at 11.59pm AEST on Sunday, 1 September 2024. Please note, late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Can I submit a late application or add further material to my submission after the deadline has passed?
Expressions of interest for the 2025 Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships program will close at 11.59pm AEST on Sunday, 1 September 2024. Please note, late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances (for example, due to technical, personal or other challenges ). We do not accept further information from applicants once the deadline for submissions has passed.
How long is the review and selection process?
The selection process is a multi-stage process taking place over a number of months. It is usually completed by the end of March each year, with new Fellows generally announced in May each year.
Can I provide supplementary materials with my Expression of Interest, such as a dissertation, article, or video?
If you are invited to prepare a detailed application, you will have the opportunity to submit such materials.
What does the $140,000 provided by The Myer Foundation and Sidney Myer Fund cover?
The Fellowship is a stipend that aims to cover the living expenses of the Fellow for the Fellowship year.
What does the additional $40,000 provided by The Myer Foundation and Sidney Myer Fund cover?
An amount up to $40,000 will be available to each Fellow to cover expenditure associated with the Fellowship such as renting an office space (excluding existing spaces such as home office or if the Fellow is already renting an office or similar space), travel, convening, or purchasing of external expertise. We will not generally support professional development unless it will materially affect the development of the Fellow’s project. Applicants invited to prepare a detailed application will be asked to include an estimated project budget.
Will The Myer Foundation and Sidney Myer Fund support professional development as part of the Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships program?
We will not generally support professional development as part of the Fellowship unless it will materially affect the development of the Fellow’s project.
Would you consider Fellowship applications that address issues having relevance across a number of subject areas for example inclusion & equality and sustainability & environment?
Yes, Fellowship proposals may align with more than one of these areas.
Will The Myer Foundation and Sidney Myer Fund consider fellowship proposals that do not fall within the subject areas of sustainability & environment, inclusion & equality, or human, civil & legal rights?
No. Proposals must align with one or more of these areas.
What will not be supported by the Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships?
The Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships will not support the following projects or activities:
- benefits or fundraising events
- capital or endowment campaigns
- ongoing or one-off academic research, or work towards higher degrees (including by coursework or dissertations)
- medical research
- initiatives focused on specific diseases
- international projects
- scholarships
- sponsorships
- social enterprise funding hubs or accelerators
- creative arts projects
- collaborations between a number of individuals
- projects that are focused on program or service delivery
- projects that have been in development for more than three years
- organisations.
See also Funding Exclusions on the Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships page here.
Can the Fellowship be undertaken part-time?
We would consider a part-time Fellowship application in circumstances where the applicant has caring responsibilities. Applicants who wish to undertake the program part time whilst maintaining full, part-time, or casual employment would not be eligible.
What is the expected output of the Fellowship?
Applicants are asked to identify outputs and outcomes expected from their Fellowship as part of the detailed application process.
What kind of support can the Fellows expect during the Fellowship term?
Fellows will have access to a support panel of experts, an individually matched mentor and specialist pitch training, as well as to a network of 33 alum. They will also be supported by program staff of The Myer Foundation and Sidney Myer Fund.
What obligations do Fellows have to The Myer Foundation and Sidney Myer Fund?
The main responsibility of each Fellow is to develop the various aspects of their project. We ask Fellows to commit to the Support Panel meetings and trainings offered and to provide collegiate support to each other where possible during their tenure. Upon completion we ask Fellows to participate in an alumni event and to respond to a short completion survey.
What are the reporting requirements for the Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships?
Fellows will be expected to provide a mid-term report to the Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships Committee via a personal presentation, and to provide a completion report to the Directors of The Myer Foundation, Trustees of the Sidney Myer Fund and the Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowship Committee via personal presentation.