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Why I Became A
Surge Fellow
2027 Detroit Academy Application opens March 16, 2026
VIRTUAL
EVENTS
Virtual Office Hours
Coming soon!
APPLICATION &
SELECTION DATES
(2027 Cohort)
Application Opens: March 16, 2026
Priority Application Deadline: June 2026
Application Closes: June 2026
Selection Day: Coming soon!
Cohort Announcement: Coming soon!
Welcome Mixer: Coming soon!
IN-PERSON
EVENTS
Coming soon!
SURGE DETROIT 2027 ACADEMY SESSION DATES
Coming Soon!
SURGE DETROIT 2026 ACADEMY SESSION DATES
Session 1 & Opening Retreat (in-person):
September 25-27, 2025
Session 2:
October 23-24, 2025
Session 3 (in-person):
November 20-22, 2025
Session 4:
December 18-19, 2025
Session 5:
January 22-23, 2026
Session 6 & Closing Retreat and Graduation (in-person):
February 26-28, 2026
The fellowship cohort participates in monthly full-day sessions: 9 AM to 5 PM (virtual sessions) and 8 AM to 5 PM (in-person sessions). Fellows are expected to attend all retreats and monthly sessions.
CANDIDATE
CRITERIA
- Detroit-based education and/or youth-serving leader. The fellowship is designed with the perspectives of Black and Brown communities at the core, because those are the voices and experiences that shape our city’s classrooms and futures.
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum)
- Minimum of five years of demonstrated leadership in education and/or youth-serving roles
- Passion for positively impacting the lives of young people and their communities
FELLOWSHIP
EXPECTATIONS
- Attend all sessions
- Complete all requisite pre-work before sessions (approximately 5-10 hours per month)
- Get your supervisor’s support
- Show up for yourself!
APPLICATION
REQUIREMENTS
- Completed application, including a résumé and responses to four essay questions
- Two recommendation surveys: one must be from current supervisor
- Memorandum of Understanding signed by applicant and employer
Surge Fellows leave this experience having enhanced their competency in both technical and adaptive leadership skills, including relationship management, problem-solving, negotiation, conflict resolution, communication, anti-racist design, and project planning, management, and execution. Surge Fellows also gain a deeper understanding of the sociopolitical and economic context, history, and structure of public education. And, importantly, Surge Fellows rediscover themselves, their power, and their dreams and become a part of a community of leaders who see, support, and affirm each other.
If you have specific questions, contact Surge at surgeprograms@surgeinstitute.org.