Surge National Academy is a six-month hybrid leadership experience for executive-level leaders of color working across education, advocacy, policy, and nonprofit systems nationwide. Designed for seasoned leaders who have moved beyond foundational leadership development, the National Academy creates space for fellows to strengthen their ability to lead across systems, build community with peers, and navigate the complexity and isolation that can accompany executive leadership.
Nominate a Candidate for the 2027 Surge National Academy
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2027 Surge National Academy Application opens on November 9, 2026.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Coming Soon!
APPLICATION &
SELECTION DATES
(2027 Cohort)
Application Opens: November 9, 2026
Priority Application Deadline: December 13, 2026
Application Closes: January 13, 2027
Selection Days: February 8-11, 2027
Cohort Announcement: March 2027
“I am sensing a shift within myself. At the start of my experience with Surge I was feeling defeated. I can’t fully capture it but I am sensing a shift within myself, in the way that I am showing up for myself and therefore others. I am learning so much in Surge and being able to practice centering wellness in the spaces that I am in. I see the shift for myself but also those who are in community with me.”
– 2023 Surge Fellow
“As a leader of Color, my most important takeaways from the Surge Fellowship experience were that my worth and value are inherent and that I deserve a sense of belonging. I’ve also learned that in making space for my wellness, I make space for others to do the same and that that kind of healing is only possible through collective, community care.”
– 2022 Surge Fellow
Surge National Academy 2027 Session Dates
The National Academy kicks off with a two-and-a half-day opening retreat, and culminates in a two-and-a-half-day closing retreat and graduation celebration. We will also have a 2 day and a half mid fellowship retreat. From May through August the cohort participates in monthly two day virtual sessions, with the first day being evening programming only and the second being a full-day that begins at 9:00 AM and ends at 5:30 PM. Fellows are required to attend all retreats and monthly sessions in their entirety.
Session 1: Opening Retreat
April 6-8, 2027
Session 2:
May 13-14, 2027
Session 3: Mid-Retreat
June 24-26, 2027
Session 4
July 15-16, 2027
Session 5:
August 5-6, 2027
Session 6: Closing Retreat and Graduation
September 23-25, 2027
CANDIDATE
CRITERIA
- Leader with significant scope, responsibility, and a demonstrated track record of leadership, ready to expand influence and impact across organizations, communities, and systems
- Serves as the organization’s top executive, or is within one or two reporting levels of the CEO
- “Impact-ready” on a sliding scale, not a fixed title or years-in-seat cutoff: readiness matters more than rung
- National geography — anywhere in the country, not including active Surge Academy and Fellowship cities (Detroit and Chicago).
- Sector: education and adjacent systems operating at scale, including advocacy, policy, and nonprofit organizations
- Has already done sustained, foundational identity- and equity-centered leadership development, and is ready for systems-level strategy and a peer table at their altitude
- Ability to commit to the full six-month hybrid arc (April–September 2027), including all three in-person retreats and three virtual gatherings
APPLICATION
REQUIREMENTS
- Completed application, including responses to essay questions
- Résumé
- One reference (questionnaire sent after application submission)
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the applicant and supervisor to confirm financial and time commitments of the program.
If you have specific questions, contact Surge at surgeprograms@surgeinstitute.org.