This initiative recognizes that UM staff do creative work outside their formal positions, from photography to woodworking, from writing to video game design to music composition. Conceived by the Mississippi Lab and funded by the Office of the Provost, Staff Creative Residencies does not support continuing education, conference attendance, or activities directly related to job responsibilities. This initiative does not support faculty. Instead, this initiative serves the UM mission by investing in the creative work of UM staff members.

Five-day residencies are awarded for the summer. Staff members who complete summer residencies are eligible for three-day winter residencies. Residencies are compensated at the regular rate of pay and supported by stipends

1. Applications are accepted via Submittable

Visit our Submittable page at https://greenfieldfarmwritersresidency.submittable.com/submit.

There, you will be asked to explain the creative work you would like to do, how you will use the residency to pursue that creative work, and how it will positively impact the community. A brief biography is also requested.

Applications will open on March 31, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their application with supervisors before submission.

2. Revise & Review

Once submitted, you will have the opportunity to refine your proposal and biography with input from the MS Lab director. Brief, informal revision meetings will take place from April 27 to May 1, 2026. All revisions are due by May 3.

3. Approval

Your supervisor and department head, along with the MS Lab director, will review and sign off on the application. Your proposal is then reviewed by a panel of three staff members, who choose the cohort. Approximately 15 residencies are awarded each year.

2026 Panel – Hunter Haney, Associate Director of Human Resources; Castel Sweet, Director of Community Engagement; and John T Edge from the Mississippi Lab.

Staff members, not faculty, from Oxford and the five regional campuses are eligible to apply.

Applicants must have at least 1 year of successful, regular, full-time service. (Summer 2026 applicants must have been employed on or before April 27, 2025.)

Supervisor permission is required.

Staff Creative Residencies will welcome applications from past participants after three years (this year, we will welcome new applications from the 2023 cohort).  

One summer week (40 hours) for creative work that promotes personal growth and positively impacts the state. Staff members who complete that week are also eligible for a second three-day winter residency. Summer staff member residencies will typically take place between June 15 and August 15 at off-campus locations. Supervisors and staff persons will collaborate to set individual dates and times. Participants are encouraged, but not required, to take the 40 hours together.

Staff persons selected for summer residencies will receive $500 stipends for travel, supplies, mentor fees, and other appropriate expenses. Winter residencies, scheduled for January 2027, include a $300 stipend.

Participants will complete 250-word self-assessments and contribute to two events focused on their experiences.

Summer participants will also attend a program meeting in June.

March 31, 2026
Applications open with a 4 pm event at Johnson Commons.

Monday, April 27, 2026 @ 5 pm
Application deadline

April 27 to May 1, 2026
Office hours (phone, Zoom, or in-person) with Mississippi Lab Staff (Director John T Edge and Project Manager Mary Conaway).

Sunday, May 3, 2026 @ 11:59 pm
Revisions deadline

May 31, 2026
Grantees announced

June TBD, 2026
Cohort meeting

Summer 2026
Residencies take place

August 23, 2026
250-word self-assessments due

September TBD, 2026
Grantee exhibition and conversation, 4 pm in the Johnson Commons Banquet Room

October 2026
Winter Residency applications open