About the Retreat
May 5–8, 2026
UCLA Lake Arrowhead Conference Center
Social science faculty from any CSU and UC campus are invited to apply to participate in a 3-day, in-person grant writing retreat designed to provide focused writing time, expert mentorship, and a supportive peer community for developing competitive external funding proposals.
This retreat is intended for faculty who are actively preparing a proposal for submission to a federal agency, foundation, or other external sponsor and who would benefit from structured writing time and targeted feedback.
Retreat Goals
Participants will:
- Make substantial progress on a research proposal for external funding
- Receive individualized feedback from experienced research development mentors
- Build a network and community with social scientists from across the CSU and UC systems
The retreat emphasizes protected writing time, supplemented by short, optional workshops and one-on-one mentor consultations.
Application Timeline
February 25, 2026 – Call for Applications Released
March 20, 2026 – Application Deadline
March 30, 2026 – Applicants Notified
April 20–24, 2026 – Required Virtual Pre-Meeting Orientation (1-hour to be scheduled)
May 5–8, 2026 – In-Person Writing Retreat (Lake Arrowhead)
Retreat Location & Logistics
Location: Lake Arrowhead, California
Dates: May 5–8, 2026
- Lodge check-in begins at 4:00 PM on May 5
- The retreat program begins at 5:00 PM on May 5
- The retreat concludes at 11:00 AM on May 8
- Lodging and meals during the retreat will be provided.
- Participants must arrange and pay for their own transportation to and from the retreat location.
Eligibility
- Open to ladder rank social science faculty from all CSU and UC campuses (ladder rank in a social science department and/or conducting social science research)
- Projects may be individual or collaborative. For collaborative teams, up to 3 team members can attend the retreat.
- Applicants should arrive with a clearly defined project and funding target, and have completed some preparatory work (see below)
Selection Criteria
Applications will be reviewed according to the following criteria:
- Readiness to benefit from an intensive writing retreat
- Clarity and feasibility of the proposed project
- Alignment with external funding opportunities
- Potential for proposal submission in the near term
Efforts will be made to assemble a cohort representing a diversity of campuses, disciplines, and funding targets.
How to Apply
Questions about the retreat or application process may be directed to CAHSSA@research.ucsb.edu.