Key scholarship details
Application status
Not open yet
Applications open
12 Jan 2026
Applications close
30 Mar 2026
Benefit amount
Up to $8,000
Eligible study level
Graduate coursework, Graduate research
Eligible student type
Domestic and international students
Eligible study stage
Current study, Alumni
Benefit duration
One-off
Summary
The Peter Steele Poetry Award is offered to graduate research students in the Faculty of Arts with a publishing record and creative writing alumni who have submitted a thesis in the last five years.
About the donor
Father Peter Steele AM (1939 - 2012) was an academic at the University of Melbourne, a graduate of the university and scholar in residence at Newman College. An acclaimed poet and academic, Steele was a visiting professor at the University of Alberta, Georgetown University, Loyola University of Chicago and Fordham University.
In 2010, Steele was awarded the Christopher Brennan Award for lifetime achievement in Poetry and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2012 for service to literature and higher education as a poet, author, scholar and teacher, and to the Catholic Church.
The Peter Steele Poetry Award is supported by the generous contribution of a group of donors including The Hon Susan Crennan AC KC and Dr Michael Crennan KC, Allan Myers AC KC and Maria Myers AC, Dr Jack Steele, and other additional contributors.
Benefits
This award provides a one-off payment of up to $8,000.
Amount:
Up to $8,000
Duration:
One-off
Quantity:
One
Eligibility and selection criteria
Eligibility
To be considered for this award, you must:
- Be a current research higher degree student in the Faculty of Arts or have submitted a thesis in the Faculty of Arts within the previous five years of the scholarship closing date
- Have a publishing record
Selection criteria
The award will be offered to the student(s) based on:
- The statement outlining the positive impact of the award and proposed activities
- The quality and feasibility of the submitted proposal supporting the preparation of a manuscript submission or publication
- The quality of the submitted poetry
- Academic merit
- The skills, experience and aptitude required to carry out the proposed project as evidenced by the application
Preference is given to applicants with a publishing record.
Conditions
Students must:
- Accept the award online within 21 days
- Submit a final report
The Peter Steele Poetry Award recipient may be invited to participate in the Melbourne Writers Festival, or an activity associated with the Peter Steele Poet in Residence.
Study level:
Graduate coursework, Graduate research
Student type:
Domestic and international students
Study stage type:
Current study, Alumni
Study area:
Arts, humanities and social sciences
Need help understanding the process?
Visit our scholarship guideApplication
How to apply
You must submit an online application and include:
- A 500-word statement describing how the award would positively impact your creative work and outlining the activities related to preparing a poetry collection or verse novel manuscript for submission or publication
- A poetry sample of up to 10 pages, preferably from the proposed creative work;
a literary CV of no more than 2 pages - At least one academic reference
- A current statement of results
- Any other information to support your application that may assist the committee in making its decision
For further queries contact: Faculty of Arts - Scholarships and Prizes
Submit an applicationStatus:
Not open yet
Recipient feedback
The Peter Steele Award affirms the integrity of my manuscript-in-progress and eases financial burdens faced during the writing process. With support from the scholarship, I will be able to complete a book-length manuscript during my candidature.
Manisha Anjali
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.
Looking for more study options?
Courses and career pathways
Browse all undergraduate and graduate courses, study areas and career pathways on the Study website. Explore courses
Graduate research
Whatever your passion, you'll discover stimulating research opportunities at Australia's #1 ranked university. Research at Melbourne
International students
Find support, advice and what to expect living and studying as an international student at the University of Melbourne. Learn more