Writers in Residence: Expressions of Interest

Two Australian writers will be chosen to create new works inspired by the Gardens, with behind-the-scenes access granted to the institution’s unique sites, staff, collections, and world-leading science facilities during a three-month residency in 2026.

Successful applicants will create one or more written works inspired by the Gardens, with creative and inventive use of the resources and collections on offer being welcomed.

Each writer will receive a $15,000 stipend to support the residency, with dedicated workspaces available at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan or Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah. 

The successful applicants will have opportunities to collaborate with staff and experts from the fields of science, horticulture, marketing, education and more, plus access to the living collections, herbarium, seed bank, green spaces and Daniel Solander Library – Australia’s oldest botanical research library with a world-class collection including botanical illustrations, historic photographs, archaeological artefacts and more. 

Writers will also have the chance to access to expert advice from The Guardian and Hardie Grant Publishing.

Residencies run for three months, to start from April 2026.

Download the full guidelines

This is a non-residential program. Each writer receives: 

• $15,000 stipend to support the creation of new work for the 3-month period of the residency 

• A dedicated workspace at one or more of the Gardens’ sites (Mount Annan, Mount Tomah, Sydney) 

• Opportunities to collaborate with staff and experts across Botanic Gardens of Sydney from the fields of science, horticulture, marketing and/or education and more. 

• Full access to the Daniel Solander Library

• Behind-the-scenes access to our living collections, herbarium, seed bank and green spaces. 

Writers will also have the chance to access to expert advice from The Guardian and Hardie Grant Publishing.

The scope of this program is intentionally open. Creative applications that propose inventive use of the resources and collections on offer are welcomed. 

Each writer will produce: 

• One or more creative works inspired by Botanic Gardens of Sydney 

• Two public engagement activities (e.g. talks, workshops, readings, guided walks) during the residency.

Residencies are open to: 

• Australian citizens or permanent residents aged 18 and above
• Emerging and established writers
• Writers working in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, hybrid forms, digital writing, screenwriting, or cross-disciplinary practice
• Applicants with a demonstrated interest in nature, science, culture, or place-based storytelling 

Not eligible: 

• Academic research projects without a creative output
• Projects already under contract for completion unless the residency meaningfully contributes to new material
• Applicants who cannot commit to the required on-site engagement 
   

Submitted material must be the original work of the applicant.  

Applications are welcomed from across Australia, but the successful applicant must be available to travel regularly to Botanic Gardens of Sydney sites for three months in 2026. Later start dates can be discussed with successful applicants.
 

It is the responsibility of appointed Writers in Residence to:  

• Make their own travel and accommodation arrangements to visit the Botanic Gardens of Sydney sites (this is a non-residential opportunity).
• Participate in publicity activities related to the residency organised by Botanic Gardens of Sydney and provide images and give interviews to promote the program.  

The writer will retain copyright of their images and creative work at all times and will be credited in any promotional or marketing materials.   

Enquiries about the Botanic Gardens of Sydney Writers In Residence program can be directed via email to [email protected].