Announcing Mars College 2026
An open call to participate in our high-tech, off-grid, pop-up college
Mars College is coming back for another semester in the desert, and we’d love for you to join us.
Mars College is an annual 3-month program dedicated to helping people adopt a low-cost, high-tech, self-sufficient life. We are equal parts lifestyle incubator, educational program, and intentional community. Mars College is located next to the gorgeous Salton Sea in Southern California.
In the six years we’ve been doing this, many Martian alumni have called it the best experience of their lives.
Here’s how it works:
Phase 1: Build (Nov-Dec 2025)
Before most Martians arrive, a small crew builds an off-grid village in the open desert a mile outside the town of Bombay Beach, and equips it with water, solar power, and high-speed internet.
Phase 2: Learn (Jan-Mar 2026)
Most Martians arrive on or around New Years. The first two weeks are dedicated to post-build decoration and outfitting our campus for life. The second week is also Ideas Week, a week of orientation, presentations, and getting to know each other.
The first half of the semester is an unconference-style academic program. There is an open calendar for Martians to offer workshops sharing their skills and passions. There are a number of academic tracks and topics including (but not limited to): Creative AI, bodywork, vibecoding, off-grid building, permaculture, creative writing, game development, music-making, science fiction and more. Every day is filled with classes, workshops and events created by Martians.
The second half of the semester is more loose in structure, and classes give way to collaborations and group project work in preparation for our semester-end final exhibition, Mars Electronica.
Phase 3: Unbuild (Apr 2026)
Mars College is dismantled in mid-April, and we leave the land as barren as it was when we got there, to wait until next year to do it all over again.
Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing more info about our upcoming plans, on our Substack, Instagram, and Twitter.
FAQ
Why are you doing this?
Why not? Mars College is an experiment in what’s possible. We appear, build our campus, get to know one another, make friends, learn new things, make art, showcase our work, and disappear. Then we do it all again.
Where will I live? What’s it like to live there?
Living on Mars is a choose-your-own-adventure situation. Generally, Martians join a living co-op to meet their basic needs such as food and shelter. If you are a new Martian, this will be part of the interview process.
Martians living on Mars can build dorms or other shelter, camp, or live in a vehicle. The Mars campus will have several kitchens stewarded by the living co-ops, and water, internet, and solar power are provided as campus services.
Some Martians elect to get housing in Bombay Beach, which is also possible, for those who prefer a house. You can make your preferences clear in the application.
How much does it cost?
This will depend on how you choose to structure your living situation while on Mars. For the three-month program, expect Mars College dues to be somewhere around $500-1,000 total. This is used to cover the cost of high-speed internet, portapotties, water, and building materials. This notably does not include your food/grocery costs, which are generally arranged separately.
Sounds great, how do I apply?
Fill out the application form here. We will start having interviews and rolling admissions in late August/early September.