Prize

​​Lionel Gell Art in Science Initiative​

Application is required. Check eligibility

Key scholarship details

Application status

Not open yet

Applications open

1 Sep 2025

Applications close

29 Sep 2025

Benefit amount

Up to $50,000

Eligible study stage

Alumni

Benefit duration

One or more years

Summary

​The Lionel Gell Foundation Art in Science Initiative at the University of Melbourne is made possible through the auspices of its joint venture within the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity and the Victorian College of the Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts & Music.

The successful candidate will be an established creative practitioner engaged in practice that resonates with the work and values of The Doherty Institute / science and medicine.

This Initiative will result in the creation of artistic work to be presented in a public forum at the Doherty Institute. The proposed work must be created during the Initiative timeframe (it cannot be work you have already produced). The recipient will be provided with a grant of $50,000, paid in three instalments.  The recipient will be a mid-career creative artist of exceptional talent, who has produced work of merit and whose practice resonates with the work and values of the Doherty Institute and the Victorian College of the Arts. The scheme is open to all artists not just visual artists.

Benefits

​​This ​award​ provides a total of $50,000 paid in three instalments: $20,000 at commencement, $20,000 at mid-year progress report submission and $10,000 at final preparation of installation/exhibition delivery to cover related material and fabrication costs.

​The Doherty Institute will contribute up to a further $10,000 to cover the cost of the installation and event at the Doherty Institute.​

Amount:

Up to $50,000

Duration:

One or more years

Quantity:

1

Eligibility and selection criteria

Eligibility

To be considered for this ​grant​, you must:

  • Be a mid-career (established) creative artist with a strong track record of creative process
  • Be an alumnus of the Victorian College of the Arts.
  • Propose work which will have a public outcome
  • Be engaged in practice that resonates with the work and values of The Doherty Institute / science and medicine

Selection criteria

The ​initiative​ is offered to the candidate ranked highest ​by the selection panel based on​ their application and interview.

Conditions

  • ​​The Initiative timeframe will be 9 months (February to October 2026) with presentation of work to be delivered by end of November/early December 2026.
  • ​The final output produced during the engagement will be displayed in a public forum at the Doherty Institute for a period of approximately 12 months.
  • ​Work will remain the property of the artist.
  • ​Mentorship from both the Victorian College of the Arts and the Doherty Institute will be provided.​

Study stage type:

Alumni

Study area:

Music, visual and performing arts

Need help understanding the process?

Visit our scholarship guide

Application

How to apply

​​Shortlisted applicants will be invited to visit The Doherty Institute and submit a detailed outline of their proposal.​

When will I know the outcome?

A shortlist will be determined in the month after closing date.  All applicants will receive an outcome via email by November.

Submit an application

Status:

Not open yet

Applications open:

1 Sep 2025

Applications close:

29 Sep 2025

The information listed here is subject to change without notice. Where we have listed information about jointly run scholarships programs, please also see our partners' websites. Information describing the number and value of scholarships awarded is indicative.

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