Manning Clark House, assisted by funding from Australian copyright management company Copyright Agency Limited, is inviting applications for MCH/CAL Residential Fellowships.

MCH president Sebastian Clark and CAL chair Brian Johns said three Residential Fellows will be selected to pursue a study project in Canberra in 2009.

CAL is a not-for-profit, member-based organisation, which provides a bridge between creators and users of copyright material. CAL is providing $80,400 over three years to support the administration of the MCH/CAL Residential Fellowships.

The Fellowships, which run for up to six weeks, enable recipients to write and conduct research in a scholarly environment. Fellows stay at the Canberra home in which the historian Professor Manning Clark, his wife Dymphna and their family lived and worked.

Manning Clark House will facilitate access for Fellows to such Canberra institutions as the Australian National University, the National Library of Australia, the National Archives of Australia, the National Museum of Australia and to Canberra-based writers and thinkers.

MCH president Sebastian Clark said that applicants might include academics and researchers, independent scholars, teachers, writers, artists and journalists. “At least one fellowship each year will be designated for a project in an education-related area.”

“Applications from rural and regional areas are particularly encouraged, for those who, hampered by their location, are normally unable to access the invaluable resources that are provided through a residency at Manning Clark House,” said CAL chair Brian Johns.

The fellowships will cover transport to and from Canberra, accommodation for up to six weeks and a weekly stipend. Fellows are encouraged to take part in MCH’s programs and events.

The deadline for applications for fellowships is Friday 5 December 2008. The 2009 fellows will be announced in mid- December 2008.

Follow this link to the Fellowship Award Application Guidelines

Manning Clark House is offering two national awards for outstanding contributions to the quality of Australian cultural life in 2008.

Manning Clark House will honour the accomplishments of both an individual and a group for projects created between 1 November 2007 and 31 October 2008. While the awards have a continuous history over thirteen years, this is the third year in which Manning Clark House has administered the awards.

“Culture will again be interpreted in the widest sense to cover an innovative project or achievement that has enriched the Australian community,” said MCH vice-president David Headon.

“Nominations from all areas of creative and community endeavour will be considered – covering fields as diverse as art, dance, film, history, literature, music, public intellectual life, science and technology, sport, theatre and the workplace.”

The Manning Clark House National Cultural Awards 2008 are presented in association with the Australian National University, The University of Canberra and the ACT Government.

In addition to a citation, winners will receive a superb medallion crafted by Canberra silversmith Gilbert Riedelbauch.

The closing date for nominations is Monday 1 December 2008. Winners will be announced at a presentation ceremony in mid-December 2008.

Follow this link to the Cultural Awards application form.