2027 Surge Academy and Fellowship Application

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We are excited that you have decided to apply for the Surge Academy or Fellowship! If you have not already, please first complete our interest form.

The online application is separated into several sections. Please complete each section carefully, review your information at the end, and submit your application when ready.

Keep in mind that:

All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.Written or video responses to essay questions are required for this application. You can find the essay questions here.
You are required to submit both personal and professional references. The email survey invitations to your references are not initiated until you complete your application.
You are also required to submit a Memorandum of Understanding for your application to be considered complete. More information about this process can be found on page 8/9 of the application.

You may save your progress at any time and return to complete your application later. To save, you will be prompted to enter your email address and create a password. You will receive an email confirmation once your progress is saved. When you are ready to return, simply use the same email and password to pick up where you left off.
You must click the 'Submit' button at the end to send your application to the Surge Institute team. Review your full application before submitting. Once submitted, changes cannot be made.

Need support? Join our virtual Office Hours!

Office Hour 1: April 23, 2026, 3 – 4pm ET / 2 - 3 pm CT (Zoom Link)
Office Hour 2: May 13, 2026, 3 – 4pm ET / 2 - 3 pm CT (Zoom Link)
Office Hour 3: June 4, 2026, 3 – 4pm ET / 2 - 3 pm CT (Zoom Link)
Office Hour 4: June 10, 2026, 3 – 4pm ET / 2 - 3 pm CT (Zoom Link)

Have questions about the application review process? Check out our Application Review FAQ!

If you have questions about the application or need further support, please contact us at surgeprograms@surgeinstitute.org.

Program Interest

In order to start your application, please tell us what program you are applying to.

Before you begin, please read the application guide below for your program of interest.

Which program are you applying to?

Chicago Fellowship

2027 Chicago Fellowship (Application Guide)

Thank you for your interest in the 2027 Chicago Fellowship! Please visit the Surge Chicago Webpage for all key information, including 2027 program dates.

Priority Deadline: May 29th, 2026 at 11:59pm CT (reduced tuition)
Final Deadline: June 12, 2026 at 11:59pm CT

Detroit Academy

2027 Detroit Academy (Application Guide)

Thank you for your interest in the 2027 Detroit Academy! Please visit the Surge Detroit Webpage here for all key information, including 2027 program dates.

Priority Deadline: June 5th, 2026 at 11:59pm ET (reduced tuition)
Final Deadline: June 18, 2026 at 11:59pm ET

General Information

Contact Information

First Name

Last Name

Preferred First Name

If your preferred name is the same as your legal first name, please rewrite it here. We will use this name for our records.

Primary Email

name@domain.com

Secondary Email

name@domain.com

Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)

Phone Number

(###)-###-####

By providing your phone number you agree to receive informational text messages from Surge Institute. Surge Institute will send updates about your application via SMS. Message & data rates may apply, reply STOP to opt out at any time.

I Agree

Address

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Identity Information

Race / Ethnicity

Asian or Asian AmericanNative Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NHPI)Black or African AmericanHispanic or Latine/a/o/xMiddle Eastern or ArabNative American, Indigenous or Alaskan NativeWhite or CaucasianOtherI prefer to self-describeI prefer not to disclose

Is there anything more you would like to share with us about your racial/ethnic identity?

Gender Identity

Gender FluidManWomanNon-BinaryThird GenderOtherI prefer to self-describeI prefer not to disclose

Is there anything more you would like to share with us about your gender identity?

Education Experience

College/ University

Degree Name

Date of Completion

MM/YYYY

Current Work Experience

Current Organization Name

Organization Type

If you chose Other for Current Organization, please specify here

Current Role Title

Start Date (MM/YYYY)

Number of Direct Reports

General Responsibilities

How did you find out about Surge?

What is the name of the person who referred you?

First Name

Last Name

If you selected "Other", please share how you find out about the Surge Fellowship.

Please upload your resume here.

Please label file [FirstName][LastName][Resume]

LinkedIn Profile (optional)

Current Fellowship & Program Enrollment

Description: Please list all other leadership or professional development programs to which you have applied and/or been accepted.

Program Name

Status in Program

Volunteer Experience

Please record your involvement and commitments with any committees, churches, boards, civic and/or educational groups.

Organization Name

Role

(Your role in this organization)

City, State

Responsibilities

Start Date (MM/YYYY)

Ended or Still Involved?

Professional References

Successful applicants for this program must submit two recommendations, one of which should be completed by a current supervisor. We will ask your current supervisor to speak to your leadership strengths and areas of development, assess your strengths and areas of development regarding your emotional intelligence, and also speak to your ability to manage projects and lead teams.

Please complete the form below to prompt your current supervisor to complete a recommendation survey via our online portal.

*Please verify the email address of your supervisor, as an incorrect email address may impact the timeline of the review of your application.

Professional Reference Full Name

Professional Reference Email Address

name@domain.com

Professional Reference Phone Number

(###)-###-####

Personal References

Successful applicants for this program must submit two recommendations. Your personal recommender should be able to speak to your leadership strengths and areas of development, assess your strengths and areas of development regarding your emotional intelligence, speak to your core beliefs, values, and leadership dispositions, and share how the Surge experience is timely in your leadership journey.

Please complete the form below to prompt your personal reference to submit a survey of recommendation via our online portal.

*Please verify the email address of your personal reference, as an incorrect email address may impact the timeline for review of your application.

Personal Reference Full Name

Personal Reference Email Address

name@domain.com

Personal Reference Phone Number

(###)-###-####

Essay Questions

Please review the essay questions below before preparing your submission. Your responses should be submitted as a single PDF file containing answers to all questions for written responses, and a single MOV or MP4 file for video responses. The essay questions can also be found here if you would like to make an editable copy of the document.

Before uploading, please ensure your document meets the following requirements:

All essay responses are included in one file
Your full name is included in the document
File is saved in PDF format or MOV/MP4 format only

Questions to be completed and submitted

Question 1 (~250-500 words OR 2 minutes max for audio responses)

What are two or three critical education-related issues or barriers hindering Black/African American and Latinx youth from thriving and becoming fully self-actualized?
Select one of these barriers and explain how it connects to the impact you aspire to make as an educational leader in your city.

Question 2 (~250-500 words OR 2 minutes max for audio responses)

A key component of the Fellowship is the development of a Freedom Dreams project: an opportunity to actualize a project that is most reflective of your hopes and aspirations of love, justice, and equity--for your community and for yourself as a leader. Take a moment to reflect on your own vision, in a world where you had everything you needed (money, resources, people, etc) to fulfill your freedom dream.

What are your freedom dreams for the education of Black/African American and Latinx young people in your city?
How will your participation in Surge programming enable you to activate your freedom dream?
What do you hope to contribute to the experience, and in what ways do you want to build your leadership capacity?

Question 3 (~250-500 words OR 2 minutes max for audio responses)

Describe a challenging professional experience that has shaped your leadership. In what ways has your leadership changed as a result of lessons learned? Your response should include:

An explanation of the issue(s),
Your approach to addressing the issue(s)
The outcome(s) and impact(s)
Reflections on what made the experience challenging for you and what you might have done differently.

Question 4 (~250-500 words OR 2 minutes max for audio responses)

Please describe a time when you led a team to complete a project.

What did you accomplish and how did you engage the team in the work?
What values and/or frameworks drive your leadership and how were they incorporated?
What personal strengths did you lean into?

Please upload your file here (PDF, MOV/MP4 only)

Please label file [FirstName][LastName][Resume]

Memorandum of Understanding

Detroit Employment

Are you employed by Detroit Public Schools Community District? If so, the Memorandum of Understanding can not be completed on your own. More information will be provided if you are accepted into the program.

Yes, I am employed by Detroit Public Schools Community District No, I am NOT employed by Detroit Public Schools Community District

Detroit MOU

The Surge Academy involves a financial commitment and participation in monthly sessions during business hours. Completing the Memorandum of Understanding confirms your employer is in agreement with the commitments of the program.

The MOU to be sent electronically (via email from DropBox Sign platform) once your application is submitted. Once the MOU is sent, it must be completed by both you and your supervisor in order for your application to be considered complete.

I have read and acknowledged the entirety of the Memorandum of Understanding and will aim to have my Memorandum of Understanding signed by all parties and submitted in order for my application to be considered complete (MOU due by Friday, July 3rd). I understand that failure to complete the MOU will result in the dismissal of my application.

Yes

Supervisor's First Name (signer of MOU)

Supervisor's Last Name (signer of MOU)

Supervisor's Email Address

name@domain.com

Have you discussed the program's financial requirements with the relevant parties at your organization?

Yes

Please share their name, title, email, and phone number

Have you discussed the time and attendance requirements with the appropriate person(s) at your organization, and are they committed to the necessary time required for your participation in the 2027 cohort?

Yes

Please share their full name, title, email, and phone number

I understand that if selected for the cohort, my full tuition (any portion not covered by grant or scholarship) must be submitted by me or my organization by February 28, 2027.

Yes

If selected into the program, I intend to apply for a scholarship to cover a portion of the tuition amount.

I understand that if a scholarship is not given, I (the applicant) am liable for the remaining tuition balance that my employer does not cover.

Yes

If selected into the program, is your ability to participate in the program contingent upon receiving financial assistance?

YesNoEnsure you only select one

If yes, please elaborate:

Detroit (DCPSD)

The Surge Academy involves a financial commitment and participation in monthly sessions during business hours. Although the Memorandum of Understanding can not be completed at this time, answering the following questions confirms you and your employer are in agreement with the commitments of the program.

I have read and acknowledged the entirety of the Memorandum of Understanding.

Yes

Supervisor's First Name (signer of MOU)

Supervisor's Last Name (signer of MOU)

Supervisor's Email Address

name@domain.com

Anticipated Employer Contribution

Total tuition cost: $3,000 (*$2,000 for priority deadline application submission)

Have you discussed the program's financial requirements with the relevant parties at your organization, including the anticipated employer contribution amount entered above?

Yes

Please share their full name, title, email, and phone number

Yes

Please share their name, title, email, and phone number

I understand that if selected for the cohort, my full tuition (any portion not covered by grant or scholarship) must be submitted by me or my organization by February 28, 2027.

Yes

If selected into the program, I intend to apply for a scholarship to cover a portion of the tuition amount.

I understand that if a scholarship is not given, I (the applicant) am liable for the remaining tuition balance that my employer does not cover.

Yes

If selected into the program, is your ability to participate in the program contingent upon receiving financial assistance?

YesNoEnsure you only select one

If yes, please elaborate:

Memorandum of Understanding

Chicago MOU

The Surge Fellowship involves a financial commitment and participation in monthly sessions during business hours. Completing the Memorandum of Understanding confirms your employer is in agreement with the commitments of the program.

I have read and acknowledged the entirety of the Memorandum of Understanding and will aim to have my Memorandum of Understanding signed by all parties and submitted in order for my application to be considered complete (MOU due by Friday, June 26th). I understand that failure to complete the MOU will result in the dismissal of my application.

Yes

Supervisor's First Name (signer of MOU)

Supervisor's Last Name (signer of MOU)

Supervisor's Email Address

name@domain.com

Have you discussed the program's financial requirements with the relevant parties at your organization?

Yes

Please share their full name, title, email, and phone number

Yes

Please share their full name, title, email, and phone number

I understand that if selected for the cohort, my full tuition (any portion not covered by grant or scholarship) must be submitted by me or my organization by May 1, 2027.

Yes

If selected into the program, I intend to apply for a scholarship to cover a portion of the tuition amount.

I understand that if a scholarship is not given, I (the applicant) am liable for the remaining tuition balance that my employer does not cover.

Yes

If selected into the program, is your ability to participate in the program contingent upon receiving financial assistance?

YesNoEnsure you only select one

If yes, please elaborate:

Review and Submit

Before You Submit Your Application

Review and Check the following

Confirm all information on your application is current and accurate.Verify that the email addresses entered for your references are accurate. Once you click submit, your references will then receive an email prompt to fill out the survey. If you submit an incorrect email address, this can impact the timeline in which your application is reviewed.Verify that you have read the Memorandum of Understanding in entirety and agree to all terms. Once you click submit, you and your supervisor will be sent an email from DropBox sign with the MOU signature process unless otherwise stated previosuly (this may take up to a few days).

Acknowledment

By submitting this application, you attest that both you and your organization are aware of the time, attendance and financial requirements, and that, should you be selected for the Academy, both you and your organization commit to the following:

Reserving and honoring all program dates and the time commitment required in order to get the most out of the program
The required tuition contribution from you or your organization, to be paid by February 28, 2027
A personal contribution in the amount of $300 to be paid by February 28, 2027 (unless other arrangements have been made with Surge Staff)

Your application will not be considered until you have verified your and your supervisor's acknowledgement and commitment to these terms via the Memorandum of Understanding. Failure to honor these commitments will result in denial of your application and/or dismissal from the program if selected.

Enter your full name here to indicate you and your organization's acknowledgement of the time and attendance commitment, the financial contribution, and your personal contribution:

Full Name

Date (MM/DD/YYYY)

Review and Submit

Before You Submit Your Application

Review and Check the following:

Confirm all information on your application is current and accurate.Verify that the email addresses entered for your references are accurate. Once you click submit, your references will then receive an email prompt to fill out the survey. If you submit an incorrect email address, this can impact the timeline in which your application is reviewed.Verify that you have read the Memorandum of Understanding in entirety and agree to all terms. Once you click submit, your supervisor will be sent an email and prompted to agree to the terms of the MOU (unless previously stated otherwise).

Acknowledment

By submitting this application, you attest that both you and your organization are aware of the time, attendance and financial requirements, and that, should you be selected for the Fellowship, both you and your organization commit to the following:

Reserving and honoring all program dates and the time commitment required in order to get the most out of the program
The required tuition contribution from you or your organization, to be paid by May 1, 2027
A personal contribution in the amount of $750 to be paid by May 1, 2027 (unless other arrangements have been made with Surge Staff)

Enter your full name here to indicate you and your organization's acknowledgement of the time and attendance commitment, the financial contribution, and your personal contribution:

Full Name

Date (DD/MM/YYYY)

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