Applications for the Natalie Miller Fellowship are now closed!

 

The Fellowship gives you the opportunity to undertake a year-long program of professional development opportunities that you believe can specifically and effectively progress your career and assist with reaching your leadership goals. Unlike many screen industry funding opportunities, the Fellowship offers up to a maximum of $20,000 AUD towards your individual career progression.  

We look for applications that demonstrate why you deserve to be awarded the Fellowship; including your previous track record; your leadership potential; how achievable the proposed activities are; and how your year-long strategy would help you actually achieve your goals as a leader.

We encourage applicants to be their biggest advocate – this is an opportunity to put your best foot forward. It’s an opportunity to focus on your values as a future leader. Your proposal should reflect your specific values, consider how your leadership will be put into practice and how undertaking this Fellowship will help others in the screen industry. 

We recommend that you look at the previous recipient’s stories for inspiration. 

 

Application Process 

Is there an NMF Representative I can talk to for advice before submitting an application? 

If you have any questions about the requirements of the application, eligibility or application process, please email admin@nataliemillerfellowship.com and an NMF representative will contact you as soon as possible. 

 

Does my proposed Fellowship program need to start/finish on a specific date? 

You are required to complete your Fellowship program by 31 December of the following calendar year. However, the NMF will negotiate any unexpected delays on a case-by-case basis with the successful candidate.

 

How many times can I apply? 

There is no limit on the number of times you can apply. In fact, we strongly encourage applicants who are not successful to reapply in future years. We have awarded the Fellowship to applicants who were successful after multiple attempts. 

 

What is the 2024 deadline? 

Applications for the Natalie Miller Fellowship close on Monday 30 September 2024.

 

Do you offer extensions for exceptional circumstances? 

Unfortunately, no, we do not offer extensions.

  

My application form will be in English, but do you accept support material in other languages than English? 

We would appreciate it if support material is in English, otherwise, please submit these documents in Microsoft Word/rich text so we can run the text through a translator.

 

What is a video pitch?

A video pitch usually involves you (the applicant) speaking to the camera and answering the relevant questions instead of providing a written response. Production quality is not important, we just want to hear from you.

 

Do I have to account for COVID-19 in my Fellowship application?

The Fellowship application form will ask you to consider how the COVID-19 pandemic may affect your program proposal. Applicants should demonstrate they have considered alternate program options depending on global restrictions (e.g., some international travel restrictions may still be in place throughout 2024), so please include details of your backup plan.

We are aware these conditions are largely unknown, and the NMF will be flexible with approving modifications to the successful applicant’s proposal, but we ask applicants to demonstrate they have considered alternatives prior to applying.

 

Eligibility 

Are applications open to female-identifying applicants? 

Yes, we accept anyone who self-identifies as female and/or female-identifying.  

 

I am a foreign national living or working in Australia. Am I eligible? 

We accept applications from Australian permanent residents and citizens, and Australian citizens who are currently working outside of Australia. 

 

Can I apply again if I’ve already been successful in a previous year? 

Unfortunately, once you are successful in being selected for a Fellowship, you cannot apply again. 

 

What is the definition of a screen practitioner? 

Women working in any area of the Australian screen industry can apply including, but not limited to, all areas of development, production, post-production, exhibition, broadcast, distribution, festivals, events, finance, production services, screen agencies, industry organisations and guilds. 

 

Do I need an ABN and Tax File Number to apply? 

No.

 

 

What We Fund 

Do you fund development or production costs? 

No, applications must not have any elements that go towards development or production costs for a feature film or series. We recommend looking at your Screen Australia or your state screen agency for development or production funding. 

 

What can I include in my Fellowship program proposal? 

Your Fellowship proposal can include, but is not limited to, any of the following elements: 

• Secondments that are an opportunity to progress forward in your career/learn essential skills towards being a leader. 
• Training programs, courses and workshop fees that are focused on building your leadership skills. 
• Research that is self-conducted will directly impact your leadership goals. 

• Conferences/Event/Film Festival Attendance fees that will offer more than just general networking. Attendance should support your overall Fellowship program, through targeted opportunities that will contribute to you reaching your leadership goals. 
• Coaching and mentoring fees. 
• Travel, accommodation, grounds transfer and per-diem costs, as well as networking opportunities and meetings with those that are essential in achieving your leadership goals and fulfilling your Fellowship program. 
• Applicant fee that covers your time spent executing your proposed Fellowship program. 
• Childcare costs incurred because of the activities included in your Fellowship program. 

• Stationery, office supplies, software, consumables, research materials that clearly support any activity that is essential in you achieving the activities that are part of your proposed Fellowship program. 
• If there are other activities and costs not listed here that you would like to include, please feel free to email admin@nataliemillerfellowship.com to check if applicable. 

 

Do you fund research? 

Yes, if the research is conducted during your proposed Fellowship program (one-year duration). We do recommend that your professional development initiative not be solely comprised of a research project, as we want to see you prioritize strategies that grow your leadership skills. 

  

 

Application Supporting Documents 

Does my application need to include written evidence of acceptance into programs/secondments/training that I’ve proposed as part of my Fellowship? 

Yes, this can be as simple as an email screen-grab, or a letter of recommendation/acceptance. We encourage applicants to source this evidence as soon as possible and not leave communication until the last minute. 

You do not need to enrol in a course, however, you will need to provide evidence of your eligibility and proposed dates. This can include confirmation from a course provider that you are able to undertake the course within the next 12 months. Or, it could include email correspondence with the proposed host company for a secondment, indicating they are willing to host you and what the structure of the secondment will look like.

 

 

Budgeting 

Should I include GST in my budget? 

No.  

 

Can I include childcare costs in my budget? 

Yes, if this is necessary to you completing your program successfully. 

 

How important is it that I contribute my personal funds towards my Fellowship program? 

It is not necessary to contribute your own costs – we understand that not all applicants are able to do so. If you are in a financial position where this is possible or have other sources of funds, we would like you to include those amounts in the application budget. 

If you plan to apply for grants from other funding bodies such as travel support, please include details in your application and indicate how the costs will be covered if this additional support is not received.

 

What should the budget look like? 

Please use our budget template, which can be downloaded here. 

 

Timeline Template 

Please use our timeline template, which can be downloaded here. 

 

 

Selection Process & Fellowship Requirements 

What is the selection process? 

All applications will be reviewed for eligibility. Once eligibility has been determined, applications will be assessed by members of the NMF Committee, and a shortlist will be determined for consideration by that year’s Selection Panel. Those that have been selected for shortlisting, as well as those unsuccessful, will be contacted. Finally, the shortlisted applications will be assessed by a Selection Panel consisting of 3-4 industry professionals, the current NMF President and Natalie Miller AO. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted via phone once the Selection Panel has made its final decision and the selected recipient has accepted the Fellowship. 

Conflict of interest checks are also undertaken for members of the NMF Committee and Selection Panel, and depending on the nature of the conflict, members will not participate in the applicant’s assessment or may be exempted from the entire assessment process.

 

Will I be working directly with the organisation during my Fellowship? 

No, your fellowship is your unique one-year program that is conducted by you. We do, however, ask that you keep in contact with the NMF throughout the year, including providing updates and photos as your program progresses.

 

When will I receive payment of the Fellowship if successful? 

You will receive the payment after the announcement of your Fellowship. You will typically receive the payment in two stages — 90% upon commencement of your program, and 10% after receipt of a written report about your experience.

 

What is required of me after I receive my Fellowship? 

We require the successful applicant to attend the announcement of their Fellowship – often at an industry event such as SPAA or AIMC. The NMF will provide return flights and accommodation if required. You will be asked throughout the year of your Fellowship to report on your progress and provide updates on your program that can be posted on the NMF social channels. At the end of the Fellowship, we require you to submit a report on your program outcomes, an abridged version will be published on our website.

We ask Fellows from time to time to represent the NMF – which may take the form of attending NMF events and your image and story included in NMF publicity. We hope that NMF Fellows can be proud ambassadors not only of NMF, but as inspirational female leaders in the screen industry. 

 

The Fellowship is proudly supported by major sponsors and donors.

If you need further help or need answers to questions that aren’t here, please Contact Us