The University of Sydney Literary Prizes recognize outstanding written work on a specific topic. Most require submission of written work under pseudonym and prize winners are announced at special ceremonies to receive their money, medal or certificate (sometimes in cash form). Sometimes winning works may even be published by the University.
The Neilma Sidney Prize for Short Fiction is an esteemed award open to Australian and international writers of any age or career stage, recognising excellence in fiction whose narratives revolve around travel themes. There is no exhaustive list of potential travel themes; rather the judges hope for imaginative interpretations which are both accessible and evocative. Every year the prize winner and two runners-up receive cheques totalling $5000 along with publication in Overland magazine as well as access to subscriber events, opportunities, and giveaways!
Since 1946, the Hillman Foundation is an organization on the left that annually awards monetary prizes for journalism and public service. Named in honor of labor union pioneer and New Deal architect Sidney Hillman, its roots trace back to Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America – predecessor of Unite Here and Workers United (SEIU). Today its board features leaders from both organizations such as workers’ rights activist Danny Glover.
In 2025, the Sydney Taylor Book Award went to Deborah Bodin Cohen, Kerry Olitzky and Stacey Dressen McQueen of An Etrog from Across the Sea; Estelle Nadel Sammy Savos Bethany Strout authors of The Girl Who Sang and A.R Vishny author of Night Owls; with Uluru Statement from the Heart being honored with The Sydney Peace Prize.
Scholarships for postgraduate humanities students studying from developing countries include the Sir James Wolfensohn Scholarship offered by the University of Sydney to encourage postgraduate studies in this field from these regions.
As well as these awards, there are various scholarships and bursaries available to both Australian and international students wishing to study at the University of Sydney. You can find these on its Scholarships and Awards page of its website; most scholarships are devoted specifically to specific programs of study rather than general enrolment students; some may even be awarded competitively whilst others take into account academic achievement as well as other factors.
