The Academy

For impatient optimists worldwide, this is your opportunity to level up with a diverse, international cohort of determined young leaders like you.

Your Education
On Purpose

The Academy leadership experience provides a launchpad to a purposeful life. As an Academy student, you’ll enroll in our signature leadership course, join talks with today’s most impactful changemakers, and receive personalized support from a diverse pool of mentors. The experience is delivered via Minerva’s cutting-edge Forum learning platform. Students looking for deeper engagement can volunteer through our network of impact partners -- organizations worldwide that are at the forefront of confronting our climate crisis, addressing racial inequities, preventing the next pandemic, and more. Designed as a 5-10 hour per week commitment, the Academy connects you with a global community of young leaders and enriches school, travel, or work with an invaluable ingredient: purpose.

Want to learn more about what to expect during the Academy?

The Academy Experience

Eligibility

Students worldwide ages 17-21

Timing

Feb 22 - May 14, 2021

Tuition

$500 - $5000
Learn about our sliding scale tuition

Application Deadline

Dec 15, 2020
Jan 25, 2021

Why The Academy

An experience to unlock your leadership potential

Through our signature course, Leadership As A Practice, you’ll learn about yourself, the world, and your role at the intersection. Guided by our expert instructors and in collaboration with talented peers, you’ll learn to analyze critical issues in your community, connect them with a global context, and explore ways you can make a positive impact now and in the future. You’ll also be matched with one of our 100+ diverse professionals and experts for one-on-one mentorship to support your leadership development. And our star-studded speaker series gives you access to intimate discussions with today’s most impactful changemakers.

The ideal balance of structure and independence

The Academy is designed as a 5-10 hour per week commitment that adds an enriching layer of purpose to high school, college, gap years, or work. The Academy provides a supportive structure as you work toward charting your own course and designing your life. Multiple course times help ensure compatibility with almost any time zone or schedule. If you’re looking for deeper engagement, you can choose to volunteer through our network of impact partners -- organizations worldwide at the forefront of confronting our climate crisis, addressing racial inequities, preventing the next pandemic, and more.

Selective admissions, sliding scale tuition

Our selective admissions process identifies highly motivated, open-minded and impact-driven students from around the globe. We cast a wide net for talent and are proud to offer an admissions process that doesn’t rely on test scores, grades or a family’s financial circumstances. We’re proud to offer sliding scale tuition to ensure promising leaders from all backgrounds are able to participate.

JOIN A GLOBAL NETWORK THAT’S CHANGING THE WORLD -- FOR GOOD

History demonstrates that ideas don’t change the world -- leaders do. Global Citizen Year is transforming the trajectory and impact of future leaders. By joining Global Citizen Year, you’ll get access to the most influential changemakers of our time, and join a network of young leaders dedicated to solving the world's most complex challenges.

With an alumni network of 1,200 and growing, the Global Citizen Year community is a source of collaboration, opportunity, and support -- for life. Our alumni are thriving in colleges and careers in over 60 countries; they’re being honored with Fulbrights, Davis Peace Prizes, and Gates Millennium Scholarships; they’re working at The New York Times, Airbnb, Teach For America, and Tesla. Global Citizen Year alumni are already having an outsized impact on society; and they’re just getting started!