The History Council of NSW supports funding for historical research, educational programs and facilities. As history is not by and large a profit making exercise, most funding for history comes from government.

We also aim to encourage private and industry support for the practice of history.

Recent activities

ARC Future Fellowships 2009
The Australian Research Council Future Fellowships were awarded for the first time in 2009. Of the eight proposals submitted in History and Archaeology, only four or 14.3% were funded, a significantly lower proportion than the average success rate for all categories of 20.3%. Seven other categories scored less. View the full position paper at the right.

The NSW Cultural Grants Program Review
In September, the Minister for the Arts, Frank Sartor announced a review of the State Government’s cultural grants program. The review was conducted by Michael Collins, Chair of the NSW Heritage Council and Sandra Yates, Chair of the Sydney Writers’ Festival. Several significant history programs and groups are currently funded through the cultural grants program including the NSW Premier’s History Awards, the NSW History Fellowship, the Indigenous History Fellowship, the Royal Australian Historical Society (RAHS) history grants, and the History Council of NSW. All have served to strengthen history in this state.

The Council wrote a submission commending the State on its commitment to funding history and encouraging the review panel to recommend this support is continued. Representatives from the Council; Jill Roe, Lisa Murray and Zoe Pollock also met with the review panel to speak on behalf of history.