Apply for Byron Fellowship

The Byron Fellowship program offers an unparalleled experience of embodied leadership and deep personal growth. Beginning in June, Fellows explore resources and practices virtually in pairs and as a whole. On August 10th – 15th, we gather in upstate New York for an intensive fellowship immersion week, and continue with virtual activation and integration through the end of October.

Zoom & Walton, New York

June-October 2025

16 Fellows

What is the application process?

We are introducing a rolling admissions process for Byron Fellowship 2025. Applications are accepted until March 2025, or until the program is full. Fellows are admitted based on merit in the order that applications are received.

Applying early increases your chances of acceptance.

The online application requires deep thought and reflection, and may take you up to 2 hours to complete. You can save your progress and return to edit your application as many times as you like, until you submit it. You will also need a CV/resume, 2 professional references, 2 personal references, and 1 reference who is willing to provide a letter of recommendation.

Finalists are selected based on their demonstrated leadership, clarity of intention and desired personal outcomes from participating in the Program, and expressed willingness to enter into a space of deep collective reflection and transformation. 

How much does the program cost?

Each year, Byron Fellowship is made available through generous volunteer and financial contributions. All accepted Fellows may choose to participate on a full scholarship, or to contribute any amount up to the actual cost per participant of $7,500 as a contribution towards future Byron Fellow cohorts.

Upon acceptance, Fellows may choose to accept the scholarship award or make a contribution towards future Byron Fellow cohorts.

The full award covers all expenses of the in-person week at The Uplands Center in August, including nourishing farm-to-table meals and accommodations, and the cost of reading materials.

The cost of travel to and from the program is not included. We ask Fellows to arrange their own travel. Some travel support may be granted to international fellows.

What are the accommodations for the Fellowship Program?

During the in-person week of the Fellowship Program, all participants are paired with a roommate at The Uplands Center. Each room is beautifully designed, uniquely decorated, and offers views of the surrounding rolling hills and forests. Rooms have ensuite bathrooms.

We cannot offer single occupancy rooms due to the size of our group.

The Byron Fellowship team prioritizes inclusivity and restorative spaces for people where they can feel at ease. We consider gender identity, extroversion/introversion, interests and background, and more while considering roommate pairings and strive to create pairings for our fellows that ensure mutual comfort and rest. 

Who are we looking for?

Our Fellows are social and environmental entrepreneurs, founders, and community leaders who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in their own communities and who are keenly attuned to the challenges we share globally.

We seek Fellows who possess a clear intention, willingness, and readiness to venture into the journey of personal transformation required to create the change they envision for the world.

We intentionally seek to craft cohorts that are diverse in as many ways as possible, as this further deepens the learning and possibility of perspective that is available to our fellows. We’ve found that Fellows most powerfully benefit from the program when they have the life experience necessary to metabolize and integrate the depth of reflection and resources that we offer. Not a particular stage of life, but a greater awareness of life. 

Prospective fellows are evaluated based on their demonstrated leadership within their various disciplines or communities, as well as their vulnerability and readiness: the extent to which they express clear intention and willingness to venture into the journey of personal transformation required to create the change they envision catalyzing in the world.

 

Past participants' fields and backgrounds include...

Physics, Community Organizing, Philosophy, Musical Composition, Farming, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban & Regional Planning, Ecology, Dance, Biology, Political Science, Animal Production, Family Planning & Womens’ Health, Agriculture, Engineering, Sociology, Business, Fine Arts, Communication, Theology, Public Administration, English and other languages, Environmental Science, Economics, Graphic Design, Computer Science, Geography, Geology, Chemistry, Construction Management, Psychology, Neuroscience, Mathematics, Eco-Theology, Historic Preservation Sciences, Anthropology, Pharmacy, Music, Social Change, Geophysics, Divinity, Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Theater Performance, Elementary Education, Human and Organizational Development

What can I expect during the Fellowship Program in-person week?

Each day’s content is structured around a central theme. Daily themes include Being, Vision, Purpose, and more. The flow of each day during the fellowship week is structured around a similar rhythm. However, we have found that our program is most powerful when we leave room for what emerges.

Each day includes centering, movement practice, gathering of the whole, solo reflection and integration, and small group exploration of the day’s theme. We typically spend much of our time outdoors.

You can expect to gain concrete knowledge that will support your ability to effectively create change in the world. However, the overall arc of the program invites participants into open-ended experiences and practices rather than focusing on knowledge acquisition.

What each participant will find through exploring those experiences and practices will be deeply personal.