Cats and Griz Writing in the Wild: Joint MSU-UM Proposal Writing Retreat
MSU’s Office of Research Development (ORD) has teamed up with the Research Development Office at University of Montana to co-host a proposal writing retreat at Homestake Lodge Jan. 7-10, 2025. Those interested must apply by Nov. 4; see more information below.
The goal of the writing retreat is to provide participants with the increasingly precious resources—undivided attention and time—needed to start, refine, or complete a competitive funding application for research, scholarship, and/or creative activities. As a joint retreat, we also aim to foster enhanced Bobcat-Griz collaborations and new ideas.
The retreat will feature dedicated writing sessions to advance your grant proposal, expert guidance from research development professionals and colleagues, plenty of networking, and an inspiring and serene winter landscape to boost creativity and productivity.
If you have a funding proposal you are ready to move off the back burner and are interested in getting to know more of your peers at UM, consider joining us at Homestake Lodge (and online)!
Eligibility
MSU can select approximately ten on-site participants who commit to submitting a funding proposal to an external sponsor in 2025. Up to an additional ten participants will be selected to participate virtually. Eligible participants must be full-time MSU faculty or staff. Applicants must have identified a funding opportunity for which to apply; however, there are no requirements in terms of specific funders or types of research, scholarship, or creative activities. Applicants seeking to write funding proposals to MSU’s internal programs are not eligible.
Applicants may apply as individuals or as part of a proposal writing team. Eligible applicants will name MSU as the submitting organization or will be applying for a prestigious fellowship (e.g. Fulbright, Guggenheim, AAAS, etc.) that will directly benefit the university. Those working on proposals as subawards/contracts from other institutions will not be considered.
More about the Retreat
ORD will provide accommodations, food, and transportation at no cost to invited retreat participants. Days will be loosely structured with open stretches of writing, communal meals, and ample time to mentally rejuvenate along Homestake Lodge’s exceptional cross-country ski and snowshoe trails. Please note: participants will need to purchase their own trail passes and bring or rent their own gear should they choose to take advantage of winter sports amenities. Winter sports activities will be undertaken at participants’ own discretion and risk.
Homestake Lodge
Homestake Lodge is located approximately 75 minutes from MSU’s campus. We have reserved the entire lodge property from the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 7, until after lunch on Friday, Jan. 10. ORD will provide transportation to the lodge, though participants are welcome to drive their own vehicles and park on-site. The gravel road from the interstate to Homestake Lodge is fully plowed. While participants are encouraged to check in to the lodge on Tuesday to begin retreat activities early the next day, arriving by breakfast on Wednesday is allowable.
From the parking lot, the main lodge is accessed via an uphill flight of stairs; however, Homestake Lodge has a snowmobile and sled that can be made available for anyone requiring assistance. The main lodge has 17 total beds spread across two rooms. The smaller room is on the ground level and has 5 beds. The larger, dormitory-style room is accessed via staircase on the upper level and has 12 beds (bunk style). There are 5 additional beds located in an off-grid yurt that is accessed by a .75 mile ski trail. Please note: we will not place anyone in the off-grid yurt unless interest is directly specified in an application.
Although some beds are larger than twin size, we will not ask anyone (regardless of bed size) to share a bed. Beds come with a clean fitted sheet and single pillow; you will need to bring your own sleeping bag and/or quilt and any additional pillows. Please see photos of accommodations for more details.
The lodge is equipped with a commercial kitchen from which breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served. The common space includes two extra-large tables, comfy couches and armchairs, and a fireplace for a cozy writing atmosphere. Through the common space windows, you can gaze upon beautiful mountain scenery as you write. There is strong Wi-Fi as well as cell phone service on the property.
The main lodge includes two gendered bathrooms with two shower stalls each, located on the basement level. A unisex restroom is also located off the ground-level common area.
Accessibility and Inclusion
We aim to ensure an inclusive and supportive experience for all. On-site assistance will be made available to anyone requiring accessibility accommodations.
We will also offer a fully remote writing retreat experience for participants for whom travel away from Bozeman is not feasible. Virtual participants will still benefit from dedicated writing time and have access to the same expert guidance from our research development teams along with virtual networking opportunities and breakout sessions for goal setting and debriefing.
After applications have been reviewed and participants confirmed, organizers will collect information pertaining to gender identity, housing preferences, dietary restrictions, and accessibility accommodations to inform logistics, lodging, and individual needs. ORD will work with MSU’s ADA Coordinator should accessibility needs arise.
Is this the right event for me?
This off-site, retreat-style event may not be the best fit for everyone. Before applying for this opportunity, please consider the following:
- With increased collaboration between MSU and UM as a major goal of this joint retreat, participants must be willing to engage in communal dinners (including shared cooking, dining, and clean-up responsibilities, with roles rotating each night).
- Participants must understand and accept that sleeping and bathing accommodations are shared. Organizers will try their best to arrange lodging based on reported preferences, but there is no guarantee. Retreat organizers will develop and provide participants with a “Safe and Inclusive Off-Campus Plan” with everyone’s comfort and safety a top priority.
- Participants must commit to attending the entirety of the retreat to the best of their ability. Should plans change, invited participants must notify ORD immediately so that we can contact the next person on the waitlist.
- Participants must understand that Homestake Lodge in January will experience snowy conditions and must plan accordingly. Any winter sports activities undertaken during free time will be at participants’ own risk and discretion.
- If you are unsure whether this event is right for you, we are happy to answer questions or have a conversation about needs. We also encourage interested individuals to consider participating virtually.
Application components
Applications will be due by 11:59pm on Monday, Nov. 4, via InfoReady. Please upload the following as a single PDF document:
- Application narrative (max. 2 pages) that addresses:
- Why you are interested and your goals for the writing retreat
- What funding opportunity you are pursuing and any history you have with this program (e.g., is this a resubmission or renewal? Were you encouraged by a program officer to submit?)
- Your timeline and writing plan from retreat to proposal submission
- Whether you are applying to the retreat as an individual or part of a team
- Whether you are applying to attend in-person or virtually
- (Optional) Whether you are interested in staying in the off-grid yurt
- (Optional) Whether you prefer to drive your own vehicle
- CV/biosketch (max. 3 pages)
Selection criteria
The following factors will be considered when reviewing applications:
- Applicant eligibility
- Responsiveness to application components
- Likelihood that retreat participation will lead to successful proposal submission
- Applicant affirmation of event conditions and considerations (outlined above in “Is this the right event for me?”)
Decisions are expected to be announced the week of Nov. 18.
For further information
Please contact Dr. Nicole Motzer, Director of Research Development, with any questions or for further information.
Homestake Lodge will be the setting of ORD's Proposal Writing Retreat in January.