Published on 7 Oct 2025

Reenvisioning support for researchers to access documentary resources of national significance

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Dr Fiona Scott-Melton Performance + Impact Lead (NZ) Contact me
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Eleanor Jenkin Impact + Insights Lead Contact me
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Paul Houliston Senior Partner Contact me

The National Library of Australia’s prestigious Fellowship and Scholarship program faced sustainability challenges with declining donations and application rates. Allen + Clarke developed a ten-year strategic framework to revitalize the program, ensuring long-term relevance and financial viability. Through collaborative workshops, stakeholder engagement and detailed planning models, our review created a robust foundation for attracting diverse applicants, securing sustainable funding sources, and enhancing the research experience – ultimately helping preserve the program’s legacy and significance.

Key Takeaways: 

 

  • Our strategic redevelopment focused on three critical pillars: attracting high-calibre diverse applicants, securing sustainable funding through an expanded donor pool, and creating a researcher-centric support model. 

  • We developed a comprehensive ten-year strategy (2024 - 2034) through a five-phase project plan involving document reviews, in-depth interviews, and collaborative workshops. 

  • The review established clear pathways for implementation, giving researchers "time and space" while delivering measurable outcomes benefiting researchers, creatives and the Australian public. 
The tools we developed put the NLA in a strong position to engage in detailed planning that will enable them to successfully implement their strategy over the next ten years, in the process ensuring the continued prestige and sustainability of their flagship program.

Rebuilding sustainability for the research program

An independent review of the National Library of Australia’s (NLA) flagship Fellowship and Scholarship program (the program) in 2022 found that while the program remained valuable, the program needed to be revitalised to ensure it remained relevant and sustainable in the long-term. This finding led to the NLA deciding to invest in the development of a new purpose and strategy for the program.

The long-term sustainability of the program needed to be secured. Since 2019, both the level of philanthropic donations that is the core source of funding, and the competitiveness of obtaining a scholarship or fellowship had reduced. The new strategic direction needed to ensure the program was attractive to potential donors and continue to attract sufficient numbers of high-quality applicants for the program so that it remained prestigious and desirable.

The NLA commissioned Allen + Clarke to facilitate the development of a forward looking framework that: 

  • Website Generic Icons 1200x1200 GREEN 31 Established the vision for the program.
  • Website Generic Icons 1200x1200 GREEN 31 Supported the development and delivery of a more modern, diverse and sustainable program that meets the needs of future researchers.
  • Website Generic Icons 1200x1200 GREEN 31 Promoted a holistic, end-to-end approach to delivery of the program.
  • Website Generic Icons 1200x1200 GREEN 31 Set out a clear pathway for achieving the desired outcomes.
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Supporting the NLA to achieve long-term program sustainability

Key deliverables were developed with key representatives at the NLA and tested through seeking regular feedback from the NLA Executive team, Indigenous Engagement team and the program Project Board. 

We developed and delivered: 

  • Strategy 2024 - 2034 - the NLA's new strategic direction for the program. 

  • Strategic Blueprint - a concept design that indicates the shifts that need to be made to realise the strategic aspirations. 

  • Lifecycle and support model - provides additional information to support more detailed planning. 

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A Strategy to Guide the Direction of the Program

The strategic framework, blueprint, lifecycle and support model provided the NLA with a strong basis for: 

  • Attracting high-calibre diverse mix of applicants capable of delivering exceptional outputs. 

  • Acquiring sustainable funding through attracting a sizeable pool of donors. 

  • Developing a fit-for-purpose operating model that support a positive research experience. 

Interconnected coloured pathways forming abstract network diagram
Interconnected coloured pathways forming abstract network diagram