Join The Academy
We’re looking for people who are already in motion.
There is no single profile for an Academy student.
You might be building side projects, starting a company, conducting original research, organizing a conference, growing an online audience, working at an interesting company, or taking on responsibility far earlier than people expect you to.
What we care about is agency: when something captures your attention, you do something about it.
The Founding Class Fellowship is expected to bring together around 50 students for a full-time, in-person, one-year program in San Francisco. The Academy is an independent educational program and does not award a college degree or college credit.
Meet some of the people applying.
Discover what they’re working on, what interests them, and why they want to join The Academy.
Who can apply
The Academy is for students who want to go all in on their own projects while finding the friendships, network, and student life that draw people to university.
You can apply for the Founding Class Fellowship if you will have no more than two years of full-time college after high school by September 2027. Applications from students attending college are welcome, but priority goes to graduating high school seniors. A high school diploma is not required. There is no minimum age, and international applicants are welcome to apply.
Not ready to apply for the Founding Class Fellowship? You can use the same form to express interest in our Discord community and to receive updates about future programs. Select all the options that interest you. You can also join our newsletter at the bottom of this page.
Applying to college this year? Apply to both. If you're admitted to both, ask your college about deferring for a year.
Application timeline
Early application deadline: November 5, 2026
Applying early does not commit you to attend.
Next step invitations: sent on a rolling basis.
We review applications as they arrive, so applying early helps. Selected applicants will receive details about the next stage of the application process.
Early admissions decisions: by late January 2027
Regular admissions: If there are still spots available after early admissions, we will open a round of regular admissions in early 2027.
The Founding Class Fellowship runs from September 2027 to August 2028.
The application
Use our initial application form to apply for the September 2027 Founding Class Fellowship, express interest in our Discord community or receive updates about future programs. You can select more than one option.
Show us what you have built and tell us why it matters. Your work might be software, hardware, research, a business, a community, an event, writing, art, or something else. Small and unfinished projects are welcome.
Admission to the Fellowship is heavily weighted on proof of work.
You will provide:
- Your contact information and basic personal and education details
- One to three links showing what you have made. A personal portfolio website is encouraged but not required.
- A short description of one project: why you started it, your contribution, and your progress so far (200 words maximum)
- A one-minute video introducing yourself and what you’re excited to build or learn next. If applying for the Fellowship, also share your main reason for wanting to attend.
We do not ask for transcripts, test scores, or recommendation letters in the initial application.
If you have applied for the Founding Class Fellowship and are selected to move forward, we will follow up to learn more about you and your work, with details on what comes next. At that stage, we may request transcripts, test scores, and parent or guardian information, as applicable.
If you express interest in our Discord community, and are eligible, we will send you an invitation. It is a place for young builders to meet, work on side projects, and help one another make progress. A community invitation is not an offer of admission to the Fellowship.
If you request updates about future programs, we will keep you informed about future opportunities.
Costs and financial assistance
There is no tuition for the Founding Class Fellowship.
Students are responsible for arranging and paying for their own housing, meals and personal living expenses. We aim for every admitted student to be able to attend, whatever their family's finances. You don't need to mention financial need in your application; we'll work out travel, housing, and living cost assistance with admitted students.