ABC TOP 5 MEDIA RESIDENCIES
Presented by ABC Radio National, the ABC TOP 5 is for early-career PhD scholars with a passion for communicating their work to non-academic audiences.
Each year, we put a call out to Australia’s higher education sector and research organisations to find the TOP 5 PhD scholars in three categories:
- Humanities
- Science
- Arts
Applications for 2026 are open from 9am (AEST) Tuesday March 3 through to 11.59 (AEST) Monday April 6. You will need to register with Submittable to apply.
Three media residencies are presented each year. The five winners in each category will spend two weeks at the ABC learning about the media and developing new communication skills.
The media residencies are designed to provided researchers with the skills to share their knowledge and expertise with audiences seeking credible information and informed debate.
We strongly encourage previously non-successful applicants are encouraged to apply again. The selection process is very competitive, and you may have just missed out. The judges are seeking enthusiastic applicants who can convey what their work is, why they are passionate about it, and why a broader non-academic audience should be interested in their work.
AIMS OF THE ABC TOP 5
- Enable early career PhD academics to be the best communicators of their specialist research areas.
- Demystify the media experience and build the researcher’s confidence in engaging with the media.
- Help the researchers connect with a wide, range of non-academic audiences.
- Introduce participants to the ABC’s approach to content creation.
- Develop talent, commentators and regular guests for ABC programs across Audio, Television and Digital.
DOES IT COST TO PARTICIPATE?
The TOP 5 is an investment by the ABC and our program partners in our drive to share new knowledge and is presented at no cost to participants.
- The ABC TOP 5 Humanities is supported by our project partner the University of Sydney.
- The ABC TOP 5 Science is supported by our project partner Australian National University.
- The ABC TOP 5 Arts is supported by our project partners the University of Melbourne & Creative Australia.
CAN YOU CONTINUE TO WORK DURING THE RESIDENCY?
The short answer is no, as the residencies are essentially full time for the two weeks. To get the most out of the experience, participants need to be fully immersed and available for this period.
If successful, we expect your university or research institution to support you to take part in the TOP 5 residency as part of your professional development.
CAN I APPLY MORE THAN ONCE?
- You can apply for the TOP 5 Media Residency Program once per residency per calendar year.
- If your research crosses over in specialisation, you can apply for more than one residency. If you want to clarify your eligibility, please email the TOP 5 team: top5@abc.net.au
WHAT ARE JUDGES LOOKING FOR?
- ABC TOP 5 applications are judged on excellence of and the level of general interest in this research.
- The judges are seeking enthusiastic applicants who have the ability to convey what their work is, why they are passionate about it, and why a broader non-academic audience should be interested in their work.
FURTHER QUESTIONS?
For more information about eligibility and what's involved with the residencies, click on the relevant link below:
- Humanities: ABC TOP 5 Media Residency Program – Humanities - ABC listen
- Science: ABC TOP 5 Media Residency Program — SCIENCE - ABC listen
- Arts: ABC TOP 5 Media Residency Program – Arts - ABC listen
- Terms & Conditions: Terms and conditions - ABC listen
Otherwise, please get in touch with the ABC TOP 5 Team with any additional question, just email: top5@abc.net.au
ABC TOP 5 MEDIA RESIDENCY
The ABC TOP 5 Humanities is a two-week media residency presented by ABC Radio National.
The five successful Humanities applicants will spend two weeks on site working alongside the ABC’s award-winning journalists and producers.
WHEN IS THE 2026 TOP 5 HUMANITIES RESIDENCY?
The Humanities residency will be presented full time from Monday 13th through till Friday 24th July 2026 inclusive.
The residency will be presented face to face on-site at ABC’s head office in Ultimo, Sydney for the full two weeks.
If you're based outside of Sydney, your domestic travel and accommodation expenses will be covered for the duration of the residency.
DOES IT COST TO PARTICIPATE?
The TOP 5 is an investment by the ABC and our program partners in our drive to share new knowledge and is presented at no cost to participants. The ABC is proud to be working with our project partners for the TOP 5 Humanities: University of Sydney.
CAN YOU CONTINUE TO WORK DURING THE RESIDENCY?
The short answer is no - to get the most out of the experience, participants need to be fully immersed in the residency. The residency period comprises of two weeks on site activities at the ABC, 9am to 4pm with additional activities beyond this.
If successful, we expect your university or research institution to support you to take part in the TOP 5 residency as part of your professional development.
FURTHER QUESTIONS?
For more information about eligibility and what's involved with the residencies, click on the link below:
Humanities: ABC TOP 5 Media Residency Program – Humanities - ABC listen
Otherwise, please get in touch with the ABC TOP 5 Team with any additional question, just email: top5@abc.net.au
Terms & Conditions: Terms and conditions - ABC listen
ABC TOP 5 MEDIA RESIDENCY - ARTS
The ABC TOP 5 Arts is a two-week media residency presented by ABC Radio National.
The five successful Arts applicants will spend two weeks on site working alongside the ABC’s award-winning journalists and producers at ABC’s headquarters at Southbank in Melbourne.
WHEN IS THE 2026 TOP 5 ARTS RESIDENCY?
The Arts residency will be presented full time from Monday 10th through till Friday 21st August 2026 inclusive.
The residency will be presented face to face on-site at ABC’s head office in Southbank, Melbourne for the full two weeks.
If you're based outside of Melbourne, your domestic travel and accommodation expenses will be covered for the duration of the residency.
DOES IT COST TO PARTICIPATE?
The TOP 5 is an investment by the ABC and our program partners in our drive to share new knowledge and is presented at no cost to participants. The ABC is proud to be working with our project partners for the TOP 5 Arts: University of Melbourne & Creative Australia.
CAN YOU CONTINUE TO WORK DURING THE RESIDENCY?
The short answer is no - to get the most out of the experience, participants need to be fully immersed in the residency. The residency period comprises of two weeks on site activities at the ABC, 9am to 4pm with additional activities beyond this.
If successful, we expect your university or research institution to support you to take part in the TOP 5 residency as part of your professional development.
FURTHER QUESTIONS?
For more information about eligibility and what's involved with the residencies, click on the link below:
Arts: ABC TOP 5 Media Residency Program – Arts - ABC listen
Otherwise, please get in touch with the ABC TOP 5 Team with any additional question, just email: top5@abc.net.au
Terms & Conditions:Terms and conditions - ABC listen
ABC TOP 5 MEDIA RESIDENCY - SCIENCE
The ABC TOP 5 Science is a two-week media residency presented by ABC Radio National.
The five successful Science applicants will spend two weeks on site working alongside the ABC’s award-winning journalists and producers at ABC’s headquarters at Ultimo in Sydney.
WHEN IS THE 2026 TOP 5 SCIENCE RESIDENCY?
The Science residency will be presented full time from Monday 14th through till Friday 25th September 2026 inclusive.
The residency will be presented face to face on-site at ABC’s head office in Ultimo, Sydney for the full two weeks.
If you're based outside of Sydney, your domestic travel and accommodation expenses will be covered for the duration of the residency.
DOES IT COST TO PARTICIPATE?
The TOP 5 is an investment by the ABC and our program partners in our drive to share new knowledge and is presented at no cost to participants. The ABC is proud to be working with our project partner for the TOP 5 Science: Australian National University's Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science.
CAN YOU CONTINUE TO WORK DURING THE RESIDENCY?
The short answer is no - to get the most out of the experience, participants need to be fully immersed in the residency. The residency period comprises of two weeks on site activities at the ABC, 9am to 4pm with additional activities beyond this.
If successful, we expect your university or research institution to support you to take part in the TOP 5 residency as part of your professional development.
FURTHER QUESTIONS?
For more information about eligibility and what's involved with the residencies, click on the link below:
Science: ABC TOP 5 Media Residency Program — SCIENCE - ABC listen
Otherwise, please get in touch with the ABC TOP 5 Team with any additional question, just email: top5@abc.net.au
Terms & Conditions:Terms and conditions - ABC listen