The Application Process
To apply you must pay the application fee via Eventbrite (click here for the 2025 Clarion Workshop application fee site). Then you will be invited to submit a workshop application form, including two short stories, via our application portal (click here for the 2025 application portal). All are submitted online.
1. Pay the application fee and get a registration password
When you complete the application fee payment via Eventbrite, you will automatically be taken to a “Thank You” screen that includes the registration password you must enter to access the workshop application form. You will also get an email with the registration password and instructions for completing the workshop application form.
1. The fee amount is determined by the date you submit your application and payment:
- Dec. 1 – Jan. 31: US$ 55
- Feb. 1 – Feb. 18: US$ 70
If you need technical assistance with payment, please contact the Clarion Workshop coordinator at clarion@ucsd.edu.
Application Fee Waivers: Clarion offers a limited number of fee waivers for people who find the application fee a barrier to applying. If some or all of the following statements apply to you, please contact us at clarion@ucsd.edu to see if a waiver is available to subsidize your fee:
- I frequently stress about meeting my basic needs (food, housing, medical care).
- I have debt that prevents me from meeting my basic needs.
- I have no money in savings and/or retirement.
- I have no access to credit or only to credit with high interest rates or fees.
- I rely on public transportation.
- I am unemployed, underemployed, or don’t have regular paychecks.
- I don’t have access to affordable healthcare or health insurance.
- I can’t afford to take time off, go on vacation, or enjoy life’s pleasures without threatening my ability to meet my basic needs.
2. Read the Application FAQ.
3. Apply through the Application Portal (2025 application link)
4. Late Applications
You must finish your application in the application portal and submit payment to the Clarion Foundation by Feb. 18, 2025 (11:59 p.m. Eastern) to be considered for the 2025 workshop. We do not accept late applications.We strongly advise you to finish your application early. Do not wait until the evening of Feb. 18, when website traffic will be high and you are more likely to encounter technical problems.
The Review Process
Applications are judged by a student selection committee. The review panel selects 18 applicants and a few waitlist students. All applicants are notified of their status by late March/early April. The review panel does not comment or give feedback on stories.