The MHR Incubator Fellowship Application Writing Retreat is fully-funded for Early Career Researchers. This writing retreat is for you if you:

• are working in any professional, clinical or research role relevant to mental health
• know which funder and fellowship - pre-doctoral, doctoral, post-doctoral/advanced - you are aiming for (and are eligible for)
• can describe your planned research focus, and be ready to refine it
• know where you want to be hosted for your fellowship
• have identified the lead supervisor/mentor you want for your fellowship, and have their support.

• Dedicated writing time
• 1:1 surgery sessions with senior colleagues and fellowship application panel members
• Tips and approaches for fellowship applications
• 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
• Preparation support so you make the most of the writing retreat

The retreat starts with lunch at 1.30pm on day 1 and ends at 3pm on day 3.

1-3 July, Gladstone's Library, North Wales. The retreat will start at 1.30pm on Tuesday 1 July and will end at 3pm on Thursday 3 July. You need to commit to being available for this full period. Places are limited so please do not apply if you will not be able to attend the full retreat.

Photo credit: Gladstone's library

The deadline for applications is Monday 31 March, 9am.

If accepted on to the Fellowship Application Writing 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.

What does fully-funded mean?

Travel expenses to and from the retreat venue, all meals and snacks during the retreat and childcare costs if needed 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.

I have previously participated in an MHR Incubator writing retreat - am I eligible to apply?

You are still eligible to apply but we will be prioritising people who haven't yet had the opportunity to participate in an MHR Incubator writing retreat.

Do I need to have done a PhD in order to be considered for a place?

No. This retreat is for people who will be applying for fellowships at all different stages. Although we expect some participants on the retreat will be aiming at the postdoctoral/advanced fellowships, this retreat is also for people who do not have a PhD yet, who are aiming for doctoral or pre-doctoral fellowships in mental health research.

What are you looking for in a successful applicant? 

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 done some initial thinking and development of your fellowship proposal that you are ready to refine on the retreat. We'd expect that successful applicants will have done some of the following: made contact with senior colleagues who support your application, done prior PPI work, literature review, identification of host institution.

Will I have my own room? 

Yes.

What if I need to arrive late or leave early?

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 fellowship application 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.

The summer 2025 MHR Incubator writing retreat will take place from 1-3 July in North Wales with a focus on writing fellowship applications. The autumn 2025 MHR Incubator writing retreat will take place from 10-12 September in Oxfordshire with a focus on writing up a paper from a recently completed PhD or fellowship.