The application window opens November 21st, 2025 with a January 4th, 2026 application deadline. Selected Fellows will be notified by January 23rd, 2026.

This year's retreat will take place in Arizona, in collaboration with The University of Arizona Poetry Center in Tucson, and Amerind Museum in Dragoon.

Applicants will be selected on the strength and promise of the work submitted, and the likelihood that the applicant will benefit from and contribute to the retreat community. 

All applications will be reviewed and judged by In-Na-Po Board members. 

Eligible applicants:

• Must be an emerging writer; publication history is not required.

• Applicants must be 21 years of age or over.

• All applicants are expected to be able to attend the full duration of the 6-day retreat.

• Must be members of tribal nations within the United States and its trust territories (including American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Chamorros, and American Samoans). The application does not need to include documentation, but we ask for honesty and integrity in your application. In-Na-Po defines “membership” according to the following guidance: 

The work of In-Na-Po supports the sovereignty of Native Nations determining their citizenship, and we understand Native identity and citizenship to be a complex and evolving matter. We are inclusive of Native writers who are citizens of their Native Nation or community, as well as those who may not be enrolled but are actively participating and working towards the survival and continuance of their Nation(s) and who can demonstrate a familial connection, or descent through lineage. Because we do not want to perpetuate false claims of citizenship or representation of any connections to Nations without the Nations' consent and collaboration, poets should be able to provide proof through documentation or via a narrative of membership that is supported by their family lineage and by their Native community. 

Please submit the following materials by 11:59 pm EST on January 4th, 2026.