Felix Meyer Scholarship

Key scholarship details

Application status

Not open yet

Applications open

16 Mar 2026

Applications close

11 May 2026

Benefit amount

$6,000 - $10,000

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 Felix Meyer Scholarship provides an opportunity for University of Melbourne graduates to undertake advanced study or research in literature, including creative work.

About the donor

In 1975, Mary Fisher Meyer left a gift in her will to memorialise her husband, Felix Henry Meyer, for postgraduate scholarships in both literature and in obstetrics and gynaecology. Mrs Meyer, herself a talented artist who had studied under E Phillips Fox, established the Felix Meyer Scholarship to support literature graduates who wish to undertake creative work. Felix Meyer dedicated his vocational talents to obstetrics and gynaecology from when he started studying medicine at the University of Melbourne in 1876 to the day he retired in 1935. Among his many extraordinary achievements, Meyer founded the Victorian Nurses’ Association, assisted with the establishment of the Chair of Obstetrics at the University of Melbourne and had a long, distinguished career as a private practitioner and surgeon. Meyer was also very interested in creative pursuits; languages, books, learning, art and music. A member of the Faculty of Music at the University of Melbourne, he wrote elegant verse and prose and was a brilliant speaker and conversationalist.

Benefits

The scholarship provides a one-off payment of between $6,000 to $10,000 depending on the applicant pool.

Eligibility and selection criteria

Eligibility

To be considered for this scholarship, you must:

Be a graduate of the University of Melbourne
Be undertaking graduate studies in literature at the University of Melbourne or further advanced studies in literature at a relevant institution
Be undertaking creative literary work during the tenure of the scholarship

Selection criteria

The scholarship will be offered to the applicant who demonstrates:

The intention to engage in creative work and the positive impact of the award and proposed activities
The quality and feasibility of the submitted study or research plan
Academic merit
The skills, experience and aptitude required to carry out the proposed project as evidenced by the application

Conditions

Students must:

Accept the award online within 21 days
Submit the relevant travel documents if using the scholarship for travel
Submit a final report

Recipients may use the scholarship for travel. Recipients may not hold the scholarship for more than 12 months without special permission.

Application

How to apply

You must submit an online application and include:

Details of your proposed program of study overseas, if relevant
A summary of your proposed program of creative literary study overseas, if relevant
A 300-500 word statement outlining your creative project and describing how the scholarship would positively impact your creative work and assist with your studies
A writing sample of up to five pages
An indicative budget
At least one academic reference
Evidence of completion of a degree at the University of Melbourne (copy of student transcript or graduation certificate)
A current statement of results
Any other information to support the application that may assist the committee in making its decision

For further queries contact: Faculty of Arts - Scholarships and Prizes

When will I know the outcome?

Applicants are advised of the outcome via email within 8-10 weeks.

Submit an application

Recipient feedback

I feel honoured, humbled and floored to be the 2024 Felix Meyer Scholarship recipient. Mary Fisher Meyer’s extraordinary generosity is already constructively impacting my life and my work. I am now able to pursue and prioritise the writing of my first novel, which I hope will be a meaningful contribution to the ecofictional field. The encouragement and support gifted by this scholarship astonish and embolden me; this provides me light and endurance as I embark on this otherwise daunting career path. I will always be grateful for the time, space and creativity critically enabled by the Felix Meyer scholarship and would like to thank the Meyer family, the selection committee and the University of Melbourne for this invaluable opportunity.

Jessica Faulkner

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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