Step away from the usual distractions at work and home and make significant progress towards your next academic publication.
Applications close Wednesday 4 June 2025 at 12pm (midday).
The MHR Incubator Paper Writing Retreat is a fully-funded 2.5-day retreat for Early Career Researchers. This writing retreat is for you if you:
- have recently completed a PhD or fellowship in a mental health or addiction research topic
- have an outstanding or additional paper to publish from your most recent PhD or fellowship work
- want to make the most of your most recent PhD or fellowship work now that you've moved or are about to move on to a new project or role
- want to build your publication track record as a lead author
- know which journal you want to publish in
- welcome guidance and support to help you get the paper published
- welcome an opportunity for a distraction-free environment to focus on writing.
What costs are funded?
The Writing Retreat is fully funded. We will cover all your necessary costs, including travel expenses (driving or public transport), childcare and caring costs, to enable you to attend and participate in the programme. If accepted, your accommodation and sustenance costs will automatically be funded by the Incubator.
- 10 hours of structured writing time in a variety of cozy locations
- peer feedback session on your writing
- tips and approaches to getting academic writing done
- structured break times and refreshments - stretching, local walks
- chance to meet other mental health researchers and build your networks in the field
- optional social time in the evenings/breaktimes
- all meals and refreshment breaks included
- a range of different places to write - in company and separately
- support to prepare well so you make the most of the writing retreat
The retreat starts at 3pm on day 1 (Wednesday) and ends at 3pm on day 3 (Friday)
Wednesday 10 - Friday 12 September 2025
Charney Manor, Charney Bassett, Oxfordshire, OX12 0EJ
The nearest station to Charney Manor is Didcot Parkway. We will ask participants travelling by train to arrive at Didcot Parkway by 3pm. Transport from the station to Charney Manor on day 1 and drop off back at the station at the end of the retreat will be arranged and funded by the Incubator.
All transport costs, including travel by train and car, will be reimbursed. The Writing Retreat is fully funded - accommodation and sustenance is included in this.
You’ll be guided on how to prepare to get the most out of the retreat. All participants will be supported to set realistic writing goals and have opportunities to gain feedback on your writing, in addition to the majority of the schedule being dedicated to focused writing time.
Generally we recommend participants will make the most out of the retreat if they:
- have a clear plan for what they want to write up
- know which journal they are aiming to publish the paper in
- come to the retreat knowing the formatting requirements of the journal they are aiming for
- are open to feedback from their peers.
If accepted on the retreat, you'll be invited to an online preparatory meeting with other participants where you'll be guided on how to prepare so you arrive at the retreat in the best position to make the most of the writing time there.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 hours scheduled writing time is factored into the 2-night retreat.
Travel expenses to and from the retreat venue, all meals and snacks during the retreat and childcare costs if you need are covered for all participants accepted on the retreat.
Travel expenses will be reimbursed so participants will be asked to buy their own tickets/fuel and then submit an expense claim form for travel. Please indicate on the application form if you will have childcare costs.
You do not need to have a PhD although we expect many participants will have PhDs. You need to have recently completed or be nearing the end of a fellowship (it could be a pre-doctoral fellowship and/or involving Masters course) from which you have material to write up in an academic paper for publication.
We want to make this opportunity available to early career researchers who will make the most of the opportunity. We want to know you have identified a realistic topic you can work on in a write up for a single paper. Applications will only be assessed once the application deadline has passed, not on a first come first served basis.
Yes.
We ask all attendees to commit to attending the whole writing retreat. We appreciate that unexpected events happen but ask that you only apply if you are willing and able to commit the time to prioritising your writing project in this time.
Are you accepting and funding international participants?
No. Our funding only covers researchers based at institutions inside the United Kingdom, therefore places on the retreat can only be allocated to those based in the UK.
Get in touch with us at mhresearch@psych.ox.ac.uk if you have any further questions.
