University of Melbourne Visiting Fellowship 2027: AUD $6,000 Research Funding in Australia

The University of Melbourne Visiting Fellowship 2027 is now open for statelessness researchers, practitioners and educators from around the world. The funded visiting research fellowship provides up to AUD $6,000 toward international travel and accommodation in Melbourne for a one- to two-month research stay between August and October 2027. Applications close on 30 November 2026.

The University of Melbourne Visiting Fellowship 2027 offers an international research opportunity for scholars, practitioners and educators working on issues related to statelessness.

Hosted by the Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness at Melbourne Law School, the Visiting Fellowship Scheme is designed to strengthen international collaboration and give researchers an opportunity to engage directly with the Centre’s research, academic activities and wider community.

For the 2027 programme, the Centre is offering one funded Visiting Research Fellowship. The successful fellow can receive up to AUD $6,000 to help cover international travel and accommodation expenses during their stay in Melbourne.

The fellowship is expected to last approximately one to two months and must be undertaken between August and October 2027.

Background & Fellowship Description

The Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness brings together research, education and engagement focused on statelessness and related issues.

The Visiting Fellowship Scheme provides an opportunity for researchers, practitioners and educators working in this field to engage with the Centre and develop international academic and professional collaborations.

Visiting Fellows receive access to a workspace as well as library and computer facilities. They are also expected to participate fully in the Centre’s activities during their stay, including relevant events and workshops.

The 2027 funded fellowship is specifically intended to support research work in an area related to statelessness.

During the fellowship, the successful scholar will also be expected to present their work through a Faculty or public seminar or a work-in-progress meeting. Where appropriate, fellows are also expected to contribute a blog post to the Centre’s Critical Statelessness Studies blog.

Fellowship Benefits

The major financial benefit of the 2027 Visiting Fellowship is research travel and accommodation support.

The Centre will provide:

Funding of up to AUD $6,000;
Support toward international travel costs;
Support toward accommodation costs in Melbourne;
A suggested fellowship period of one to two months;
Workspace during the fellowship;
Library access;
Computer access;
Opportunities to participate in Centre events and workshops;
Opportunities to engage with researchers and practitioners working on statelessness; and
An opportunity to present research through a Faculty or public seminar or work-in-progress meeting.

The AUD $6,000 funding is a maximum amount and applicants are required to provide a budget showing how much funding they are requesting.

Who Can Apply?

The fellowship is open to a broad range of people working on statelessness.

The Centre states that applications are welcome from:

Postdoctoral early-career researchers;
Tenured academics;
Researchers working on statelessness;
Professionals working in the field;
Educators; and
Non-academic visiting professionals proposing an applied research project relevant to the Centre’s work.

Importantly, researchers with lived experience of statelessness are strongly encouraged to apply.

This broad approach means that applicants do not necessarily need to fit a traditional academic career path. Non-academic professionals can also be considered where their proposed research is relevant to the Centre.

Research Focus

The proposed research must relate to statelessness and should demonstrate relevance to the work of the Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness.

Applicants should use their research plan to explain what they intend to investigate, what they hope to accomplish during their stay and how their work can contribute to the Centre.

Previous visiting fellows have worked on diverse topics including statelessness law and policy, identity documentation, displacement, citizenship, refugee experiences, legal clinics and the experiences of communities affected by statelessness.

The fellowship therefore provides room for different disciplinary and methodological approaches, provided the proposed research has a clear connection to statelessness.

Application Requirements

Applicants for the funded fellowship must submit their application as one PDF document.

The application must contain:

1. Curriculum Vitae

Applicants should provide a CV together with a list of publications.

The CV should give the Centre a clear overview of the applicant’s academic, professional and research background.

2. Research Plan

A research plan of no more than 1,000 words is required.

The plan should outline:

The proposed research;
Activities planned during the visit;
Potential collaborations;
How the applicant will contribute to the work of the Centre; and
The relevance of the proposed fellowship activities to statelessness research.

3. Proposed Visit Dates

Applicants must state their proposed dates for the fellowship.

The funded fellowship is expected to be taken between August and October 2027.

4. Funding Request and Budget

Applicants must state the amount of funding they are requesting, up to the maximum of AUD $6,000.

A budget breakdown is required and should include airfare costs where relevant.

5. Reference Letter

Applicants must provide one letter of reference.

For non-academic applicants, the Centre allows a letter of support from an employer or another organization or entity with which the applicant is professionally associated.

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications for the funded 2027 Visiting Fellowship is:

30 November 2026

Applicants from outside Australia should also be aware that they are responsible for obtaining and paying for any necessary visas and insurance.

Because the application requires a research plan, budget and reference letter, prospective applicants should begin preparing their materials well before the deadline.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted by email to the Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness.

Applicants should:

Prepare a CV and publication list.
Develop a research plan of no more than 1,000 words.
Identify proposed fellowship dates between August and October 2027.
Prepare a detailed funding request and budget, up to AUD $6,000.
Obtain one appropriate reference or professional support letter.
Combine the application materials into one PDF document.
Use “Visiting Fellowship Application” as the email subject line.
Submit the application to law-statelessness@unimelb.edu.au before 30 November 2026.

Applicants should ensure that their proposal clearly explains both the research contribution and how the proposed visit would support collaboration with the Centre.

Self-Funded Visiting Fellowship Option

The Centre also accepts applications from visitors who are able to finance their own stay.

Self-funded visitors may receive access to workspace, library facilities and computer facilities, subject to availability. They are encouraged to participate in the Centre’s activities, including events and workshops.

Self-funded applications can be made throughout the year and should include a CV and publication list, a research plan of up to 1,000 words, proposed visit dates and one reference or professional support letter.

This provides an alternative for researchers who are interested in collaborating with the Centre but do not require financial support.

Why Consider the University of Melbourne Visiting Fellowship?

The fellowship provides more than financial assistance for a research visit.

Successful applicants can spend dedicated time engaging with a specialist research centre focused on statelessness while developing international academic and professional relationships.

The opportunity can be particularly valuable for researchers whose work intersects with citizenship, nationality, migration, displacement, refugee protection, human rights, international law or statelessness studies.

The Centre’s previous visiting fellows also demonstrate the range of backgrounds that can be relevant to the programme, including PhD candidates, lecturers, professors, legal practitioners, policy advisers and professionals working with organizations focused on statelessness.

Key Details at a Glance

Fellowship: University of Melbourne Visiting Fellowship 2027

Host: Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness, Melbourne Law School

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Fellowship type: Funded Visiting Research Fellowship

Number available: One funded fellowship

Funding: Up to AUD $6,000

Funding purpose: International travel and accommodation in Melbourne

Duration: Suggested one to two months

Fellowship period: August–October 2027

Eligible applicants: Researchers, practitioners and educators working on statelessness, including postdoctoral researchers, early-career and tenured academics and relevant non-academic professionals

Research requirement: Proposed research must relate to statelessness

Application format: One PDF document

Research plan: Maximum 1,000 words

Reference: One letter

Deadline: 30 November 2026

Application email: law-statelessness@unimelb.edu.au

Final Thoughts

The University of Melbourne Visiting Fellowship 2027 is a specialised research opportunity for people working on statelessness and related issues.

With one funded fellowship available and support of up to AUD $6,000, the programme can help an international researcher undertake a focused research stay in Melbourne while engaging with the Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness.

Applicants should focus on developing a clear and relevant research plan, demonstrating how the proposed work connects with the Centre and explaining what activities and collaborations they intend to pursue during their visit.

Researchers with lived experience of statelessness are specifically encouraged to apply, while non-academic professionals can also be considered when proposing applied research relevant to the Centre.

Those interested in the 2027 funded fellowship should prepare their application materials early and submit the completed PDF by 30 November 2026.

Disclaimer: This article is an independent publication based on information provided by the University of Melbourne. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Melbourne or the Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness. Applicants should consult the official fellowship information for the latest requirements and application instructions.

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