2027 CBA Emerging Scholars Writing Retreat
Los Angeles, CA
July 15-16, 2027
The Catholic Biblical Association invites applications for its Emerging Scholars Writing Retreat, to be held July 15–16, 2027, at Loyola Marymount University, immediately before the CBA Annual General Meeting.
Designed for advanced doctoral students and recent PhDs, the retreat will give a small cohort of emerging scholars dedicated time, substantive feedback, and sustained conversation on a significant writing project. The retreat will host approximately nine participants for 2027. The retreat begins at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 15, and concludes Friday evening, July 16. Participants should therefore plan to attend the 2027 CBA Annual General Meeting immediately following the retreat.
Participants should bring a substantial writing project already underway. Appropriate projects may include a dissertation chapter, article draft, conference paper, book proposal, or another substantial scholarly project suitable for focused feedback and revision.
Participants will pre-circulate their work to faculty advisors and fellow participants before the retreat. During the two days, each participant will receive dedicated workshop time to discuss their project, as well as an individual conversation with an established scholar.
The retreat will also include shared meals, informal conversation, and roundtable discussions addressing scholarly formation, publication, career discernment, and the changing professional landscape. We aim for participants to leave with substantive feedback on their writing, a clear revision strategy, and concrete next steps to advance their project.
Eligibility
Applicants must be CBA members, or in application for membership, and should be either:
- ABD doctoral students in biblical studies or a related field, with particular encouragement for students who have reached the dissertation stage; or
- recent PhDs, generally within approximately three years of completing the degree.
We welcome applications from scholars representing a range of institutions, backgrounds, areas of specialization, gender diversity and ethnicity, and professional trajectories.
Financial Support
CBA will cover the primary costs of participating in the writing retreat, including retreat-related lodging and meals. In addition, each selected participant will receive a travel voucher to help offset the cost of travel to Los Angeles.
Application
Applicants should submit:
1. a brief statement of interest (500 words);
2. a description of the writing project they propose to workshop (250 words);
3. and a short statement describing what they hope to gain from participation in the retreat (250 words);
4. recommendation letter from a dissertation supervisor.
Applications will be evaluated on the readiness of the proposed project, the applicant's fit with the goals of the retreat, and the development of a strong, diverse, and collegial cohort.
Because the retreat depends upon sustained engagement among participants and mentors, applicants should be prepared to read and respond thoughtfully to work circulated by other members of their workshop group.
Application Deadline: April 19, 2027
Application Form: [LINK]
Applicants will be notified of selection decisions by [DATE].
Questions
Please direct questions about the Emerging Scholars Writing Retreat to Dr. Joshua Scott (events@cba-site.org).
For more information
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