What is the Acumen Fellowship?

The purpose of the Acumen Fellowship is to develop a community of leaders who challenge the status quo, work across lines of difference and inspire their communities to believe in a brighter future.

The Fellowship is the start of a journey towards mastering the skills, attributes, and values of moral leadership: a combination of empathy, immersion, understanding, and action. What binds our Fellows is shared values, a common commitment to a world beyond poverty and injustice, a pledge to accompany one another, to help and celebrate one another, and to hold each other to account.

Who are Acumen Fellows?

The Fellowship is designed for individuals who are currently leading or are an integral part of building an initiative whose mission is to eradicate poverty or injustice. Our Fellows are of all ages, come from diverse cultural, geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds and work across multiple sectors.

Acumen Fellows understand that poverty extends beyond income levels, and that the opposite of poverty is not income: it is dignity. Dignity is freedom. It is having control over decisions that affect our lives.

For more context on how we understand poverty and injustice at Acumen, please refer to the two articles linked below:

• Lessons Learned – 15 years of tackling poverty
• The Opposite of Poverty

Who is the Fellowship designed for?

The Fellowship is designed for builders. During the selection process, we will want to learn more about the track record and vision of the initiative or organisation you are building, and how this demonstrates your determination to build solutions that solve issues of poverty.

The Fellowship is designed to help navigate challenges that have no easy answers. During the selection process, we will want to learn more about the challenges you are facing, how you navigate adversity, who you need to mobilise, and what you need to do differently in order to take your impact to the next level.

The Fellowship is designed for those who are willing and able to commit to the journey. All Fellows have significant obligations – professional and personal. During the selection process, we will want to learn more about your motivation for applying and how you will make it a priority and how you will both give to and receive support from this community.

The Fellowship is designed to stretch limits and push Fellows out of their comfort zone. The cohort will bring together different identities, beliefs and experiences. It will require work from everyone to build a brave and trusted space that can connect across difference, and the program invites deep introspection on the patterns of our own behaviour. During the selection process, we will want to learn more about why you feel now is the right time for you to go through the Fellowship and stretch your limits, and how you will take responsibility for your own boundaries and wellbeing.

Do I have to be working in a social enterprise to be considered for the Fellowship?

No.

Although many of our Fellows do work in social enterprises, Fellows can be working in any sector (including for-profit, nonprofit, corporations, and government).

Is the Fellowship only open to entrepreneurs?

No.

Fellows go on various career paths and personal journeys over their lives, and can be working in any sector (including for-profit, non-profit and public). Many of the Fellows we’ve seen over the years include:

• Entrepreneurs who have founded or are leading a for-profit or nonprofit organization that provides critical goods and services to the underserved

• Intrapreneurs who are creating innovative solutions to tackle poverty or injustice from within existing institutions by shifting institutional culture and building new collaborations.

• Organizational builders who are supporting the growth of poverty or injustice-focused institution from within, but not as the founder or CEO

We are looking for an entrepreneurial attitude, mindset, and approach – people who don’t accept the status quo.

What are the academic qualifications for the Fellowship?

There are no specific academic requirements. Some Fellows have no formal education, others have degrees from global institutions.

Are there a minimum or maximum age requirements for Fellows?

The minimum age requirement is 18. There is no maximum age cut off.

Do I need to currently be involved in work focused on poverty?

Yes. We are looking for individuals who currently have a leadership role in an organization or initiative committed to fighting poverty on a full-time basis. We will, on an exceptional basis, consider applicants who are working part-time, as long as they demonstrate a full-time commitment to fighting poverty.

Can two people from the same organization apply for the Acumen Fellowship?

The Acumen Fellowship is a significant investment in an individual’s leadership journey. As the Fellowship is competitive and only offers 20 spots per year in each region, we aim to amplify our impact through the Fellows by asking them to take learnings from the Fellowship back to their teams and communities.

This means that in a given year, while multiple people from the same organization may apply, should you all meet our basic eligibility criteria, we will only be able to select one of you to advance in the selection process. We suggest keeping this in mind as you make the decision regarding whether one or more of you will apply in the same year.

Can I apply if I have taken Acumen Academy courses?

Absolutely! Taking Acumen Academy courses prior to the fellowship is strongly encouraged.

Is English proficiency a requirement?

Yes. All seminars and training are conducted in English. Conversational proficiency in English is a requirement to ensure Fellows are able to give and get the most from this experience.

Do I need to be currently involved in work focused in the United Kingdom?

Yes. We are looking for individuals who currently have an influencing role in an organisation or initiative committed to fighting poverty in the United Kingdom. If your work is also international, we will be evaluating your application on your UK impact.

Do I have to be a citizen of UK to apply?

Fellows are typically UK citizens, however we will consider applicants who demonstrate a concrete connection to the UK i.e. long-term employment, residency, focus of their social change project.

What does acumen consider as evidence of tackling poverty?

We are looking for Fellows who have demonstrated a deep commitment to tackling problems of poverty. This piece shares more of Acumen’s thinking on changing the narrative around poverty. Although not a requirement, Fellows typically have at least 5 years of experience tackling social or environmental issues and can demonstrate through learned or lived experiences their understanding of the system they seek to change.

Is someone eligible to apply for the UK Fellowship if they have taken part in an Acumen Fellowship in a different region?

No. Each cohort of Acumen Fellows must be comprised of individuals who have not previously taken part in an Acumen Fellowship. This is specific to Acumen’s programs; candidates who have participated in other fellowships or leadership programs, or who have taken Acumen Academy courses, are welcome to apply.

Which costs does the Fellowship cover?

UK Acumen Academy (our legal entity in the UK) covers all program-related expenses during the Fellowship year - this includes accommodation, food and venue costs for the immersive residentials. We ask for Fellows to cover their own transport costs. If travel costs are prohibitive we will work with Fellows to ensure they can attend and participate fully. We have allocated a finite amount of money to reimburse Fellows for travel where needed.

Over the year, Fellows will receive lots from the community and there will be many ways to also give to the community - including time, resources, expertise, companionship and connections. We see no correlation between someone's ability to drive change, and their capacity to pay tens of thousands of pounds for a program like the Fellowship. However, this can also create challenges around i) some people coming in with low expectations and low commitment, and ii) long-term financial sustainability of the programme. One way to give to the community is financially - helping to ensure that others have access to the Fellows Program in future years. At the end of the Fellowship year, we will give Fellows the option to pay back an amount of money that feels right to them given: their financial means, the value they have received, and their desire to support our continued work. Regardless of the amount chosen (or nothing at all), all Fellows will have the same privileges and access to the community.

Do I automatically qualify for grant funding or an investment if I participate in the Fellowship?

No, the Fellowship isn’t accompanied with any financial investment to Fellow initiatives. Acumen’s leadership development inititatives are completely independent of our investment activities and UK Acumen Academy is not set up as a funder today. That said, we work closely with Fellows to amplify their work and build access to the capital, talent and networks required to sustain and deepen their impact.

What happens during and between the seminars?

Over the Fellowship year you will build the tools and mindset to: - Lead diverse stakeholders through recurring and complex challenges - Articulate a vision that speaks across lines of difference & moves others into action - Understand larger, systemic problems and design more effective interventions - Navigate uncertainty and embrace the meaningful process of creating change - Cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself and your work in a broader context

The curriculum includes modules such as: Good Society Readings, Adaptive Leadership, Authentic Voice, Polarity Management and Systems Thinking. Through residentials and online workshops between seminars, Fellows build trust and test new leadership skills within their cohort. This cohort-based model creates deep bonds of trust and fellowship, which persist long beyond the first year and which Fellows utilize to create greater impact.

What is the attendance policy? What if I need to miss an immersive?

The fellowship has a 100% attendance requirement, and all selected Fellows must attend all immersive residentials and online workshops, and complete assignments between sessions or face possible removal. If emergencies arise we make exceptions on a case-by-case basis, and work with the Fellow to align on the best path forward.

Is internet connectivity a requirement to participate in the Fellowship?

Yes. The primary method of communication regarding logistics and other important information is email. Assignments between seminars will be provided via an online learning platform. Therefore, all Fellows must have regular and reliable internet access that allows the downloading and uploading of documents as well as audio and video files.

How is the Fellowship structured?

Fellows remain in their roles and come together for 3 immersive residentials, each lasting 5-6 days, throughout the year. In addition, 2 workshop series are delivered virtually, spanning 5-6 weeks each, with a commitment of ~5hrs per week.

Do Fellows have to attend every session?

The program has a 100% attendance requirement. All Fellows must attend all parts of immersive residentials, virtual workshops, and complete any in-between assignments. If emergencies arise, we make exceptions on a case-by-case basis and work with the Fellow to align on the best path forward.

What is the total time commitment required for the Fellowship?

The Fellowship is a deep commitment and serious investment from Fellows and the Acumen Academy team. The total commitment time is ~25 days, made up of 15 immersive days and 10 days of virtual group work and self-directed tasks.

Outside of scheduled program sessions, there will also be a range of optional sessions designed to help build connection and exchange wisdom.

What are immersive residentials and where will they be held?

Immersive residentials are held over 5 to 6 days. If in-person, locations are selected based on the accessibility for the cohort as a whole. Fellows are expected to reside at the residential location for the entire duration, even if they are residents of the city where the residential is being held. Immersives include interactive discussions, individual reflection and peer coaching. Immersives typically begin either Monday or Tuesday and require Fellows to arrive at 1pm.  Immersives typically finish either on the Saturday or Sunday at 1pm. 

What is a virtual workshop series?

A virtual workshop series includes several online assignments that span over 5 weeks between immersive residentials. They typically require 5 hours per week and include group discussions, individual assignments and peer coaching. A 3-hour group session will be scheduled weekly, and the remaining tasks can be scheduled and completed independently at a time that suits you.

Does Acumen have any material I can share with my employer?

For those who will need to get approval from employers, we recommend this conversation start as early as possible to inform them that full attendance is required for all immersive residentials. It will be a matter of personal arrangement with your employer whether time off to attend sessions can be provided, or if you will have to apply for leave during the relevant periods. However, it is advised that you notify your employer in good time so that approval is granted for any leave. We have created this template for you to tailor and share with your employer to help bring them on board.

What skills do Fellows develop during the Fellowship?

Fellows will explore how they can approach personal, organisational and societal challenges differently as they build the tools and mindset to:

• Lead diverse stakeholders through recurring and complex challenges.
• Articulate a vision that speaks across lines of difference & moves others into action.
• Understand larger, systemic problems and design more effective interventions.
• Navigate uncertainty and embrace the meaningful process of creating change.
• Cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself and your work in a broader context.

Our curriculum draws on powerful leadership frameworks, tools and approaches, including:

• Adaptive Leadership - grounded in Ron Heifetz’s work
• Authentic Voice - grounded in Marshall Ganz’s life's work
• Good Society Readings - modelled off The Aspen Institute
• Managing Polarities - based on Barry Johnson’s work

How do Fellows learn and practice?

We are work on real-time and adaptive problems and our learning methodology is centred around cohort-based learning, experiential orientation and deep facilitated dialogue. The content is grounded in personal reflection, practice and experimentation and we facilitate a reflective learning experience, woven together by the richness of the Fellows lived experiences - with every participant as a creator of the experience. We will be applying the concepts we learn within the cohort, as we seek to model the change we want to see in the world and strive to create a unique environment for Fellows to practice new modes of leadership.

The Fellowship requires Fellows to proactively drive their own learning. The content is grounded in reflection, practice and experimentation. Whilst the program includes structured sessions directed by Acumen, it will also require Fellows to invest in unstructured, self-directed and group-based learning. We see that the more Fellows put in, the more Fellows get out of the experience.

How much "Inner work" will be involved?

The program invites deep introspection on the patterns of our own behaviour and the role Fellows play in maintaining or challenging their own status quo. We believe change starts with each of us, and our intention is to collectively build a brave space for Fellows to show up with courage as they take the risk of expressing themselves in a different way.

I have accessibility requirements, can you share more about what sessions involve?

Below further breaks down areas of the program, to help you think where you might need to understand and request access support:

• Weekly communications via emails with programme updates
• Cohort preparation and assignments via our learning platform - which includes reading, private reflection, group discussions, written reflections, video submissions and peer feedback
• Immersive residentials in person - which includes interactive discussion sessions, sharing of frameworks and tools via print and slides, written reflection and peer feedback
• Online workshops via zoom - which includes group discussions, facilitated sessions, individual assignments and peer feedback

Please contact us if you have specific needs or requirements. You will know what works best for you, and together we will understand where we can arrange adjustments or build in financial support to ensure you can fully participate. 

How does Acumen design for an inclusive Fellowship experience?

Acumen is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion - we encourage applications from all social leaders, including marginalised groups.

We acknowledge that the Fellowship is a big time investment and not always possible for those with caring responsibilities, extreme time-sensitive pressures or health conditions. To receive the full benefits of the Fellowship, Fellows are required to attend and participate in all immersive residentials, virtual workshops - some of which include evening sessions.

To help build an inclusive program, we have ensured that the Fellows Program is fully-funded and work closely with external partners such as wellbeing professionals, DEI consultants and the Centre for Knowledge Equity to inform the design of our application process and program.

Please read the General Fellowship Structure and Application Process, and contact us if you have specific needs or requirements related to the application or program. As shared above, you will know what works best for you, and together we will understand where we can arrange adjustments or build in financial support to ensure you can fully participate. We are constantly learning and evolving and welcome all feedback on how we can design an inclusive process and communicate clear expectations.

How will my wellbeing be supported during the Fellowship?

The Fellowship is an adult educational leadership program, and we strive to create a unique environment for Fellows to apply new leadership tools, practice crossing lines of difference and show up with courage as they take the risk of expressing themselves in a different way. At times the program may involve adaptive sessions that are less structured, and the invitation to explore the dynamics at play within the cohort. For some, the process may be new and challenging. For all, it will require a willingness to challenge beliefs, values and identities. Acumen's responsibility is to create a productive learning environment where Fellows can understand and practice the content of the program and are supported in taking individual responsibility to meet their own needs.

Across all stages of the selection process & program delivery, we will seek to clearly communicate the design and goals of the program, and the level of physical and emotional demands the program places on you as participants. We will place an emphasis on mechanisms that can help support self-leadership in individual wellbeing and in group processing, such as needs and boundaries assessments, peer support practices, grounding process, and cohort shared agreements. Built into the program are optional group and 1-on-1 sessions with a wellbeing professional to help Fellows process learning and get signposted to further support where needed. The Acumen team will not provide medical advice, therapy or personal counselling.

Facilitated sessions and time with your peers will encourage deep introspection - a willingness to be vulnerable often yields the richest experiences. We understand, however, that this can activate strong emotional reactions and resurface challenging moments from your past. If you are currently working through the healing process of a traumatic event in your life this may not be the best time for you to join this program and we encourage you to take time to focus on your healing.

How will the UK program be impacted by COVID-19?

Whilst we are planning for in-person delivery, we continuously evaluate the best path forward for the program delivery. We will follow UK government guidance and listen to the cohort when deciding if we need to adapt and run an immersive residential virtually. We will remain flexible and transparent with Fellows as the situation evolves. If the decision is made to hold an immersive virtually, the immersive date will be extended by an additional day to help create an effective online schedule.

If meeting up in-person is not possible, then we will do as much as we can virtually, in service of meeting in-person as soon as we can. Working with you, we are confident that we will continue to find impactful ways to bring the Fellows together and drive learning, be it in-person or virtually. We advise you to come into this experience with the expectation that at least one of the immersives will be delivered virtually.

What is the application process?

The application process has a total of three stages:

• Stage 1: An online form to learn about your current work, past experiences and vision for change.
• Stage 2: Practical assignment will consist of video submissions and short written answers to dig deeper into the work you do. 
• Stage 3: The Selection Festival is an online event held over 2 days for the finalists. It is an energetic event where finalists will have the opportunity to connect with other builders from across sector, place and discipline. The day includes group activities and a panel interview.

Successful applicants will receive an offer letter with key information before enrolling in the Fellows Program.

What is Acumen assessing in the selection process?

The selection process is designed to understand the applicant’s track record, their capacity to lead and readiness for the program. Acumen selects Fellows based on: 1) a track record of driving change based on a deep understanding of the issue 2) a clear long-term vision to change the system they are working in 3) an ability to influence change in their current work, formally or informally 4) a readiness to undergo an intensive leadership journey.

More tips and advice can be found, in the Application Guide and you can ask your questions to current Fellows during our Virtual Info Sessions. We are focused on assessing the content of the application, and not the polish or smartness of written English. Each application will be reviewed separately by two different people in the Acumen community, who will be selected based on proximity to the applicant's work.

Are recommendation letters required?

No. However, during the later stages of the selection process we may ask for the contact information of two professional references who we can contact in the final stage of the selection process. References should be people with whom Fellows have worked closely. They should not be family, friends or spouses.

What are the application deadlines? And what happens after I submit my application?

Upon application submission, our selection team will carefully review submissions and participation at each stage of the process, and select candidates who will advance to the next stage. At each stage of the application process, all candidates will receive communication from our team about the progress of their application.

Do applicants receive feedback if unsuccessful?

We are not able to give tailored feedback to all applicants. We strive to do our best with the resources available to share feedback and signpost unsuccessful applicants to other leadership opportunities in the UK.

If trouble uploading or submitting the application, what should applicants do?

Applicants cannot submit their application until they have verified their email address. Please contact the Acumen team via uk@acumenacademy.org if issues.

If trouble uploading or submitting the application, what should applicants do?

No, this is not possible. However, it is possible to save any progress on the application before submitting it, to return later for editing. Make sure to double-check all elements of the application before it is submitted. We cannot accept edits or changes after submission, either through the platform or by email.

Is post-Fellowship job placement provided?

No.

What do Fellows do after completing the programme? What type of professional and personal development support does the Acumen Fellows Program offer?

We know that the path to breaking the status quo is a life-long one, and the Fellows Program is grounded in Fellowship and Accompaniment. We are building a community that can challenge and support each other over a lifetime of creating change.

Acumen is invested not only in each Fellows’ growth over the course of the year-long program, but also in their development as lifelong agents of fighting poverty or injustice. After completing the first year, Fellows may receive continued mentorship and coaching. Acumen also has a very active and growing network of social sector organizations, thought leaders, and Fellows across the globe. We engage all Acumen Fellows through events, newsletters and subsequent recruitment and selection processes. In addition, after the programme, the Fellows become part of a community of moral leaders who are fighting poverty or injustice in their region and across the world.

In the UK, Acumen Academy will test and build-out support based on the Fellows' needs, which typically form around three areas: 1) access to funding and networks, 2) coaching and mentoring, and 3) communities of practice. You can learn more about our global Fellows community here.

Learning more about Acumen

Acumen was founded 21 years ago to use the power of entrepreneurship to build a world where everyone had the opportunity to live with dignity. Acumen Academy - the world school for social change - was born out of that work.

We see the opposite of poverty as dignity. Our work is grounded in our Manifesto, and the radical idea of creating hope in a cynical world.

We know that there is more than one way to create meaningful change. Acumen’s ethos is embedded in the path of moral leadership. Our hope is that together we are able to build a different set of leadership practices - moving from blame, prejudice, right vs wrong, narrowed identities and fear, towards empathy, seeing each other fully, holding opposing values, widening identities and hard-edged hope. We see these as some of the hardest skills to master.

We encourage you to do your research on Acumen and the Fellowship in order to reflect on if this is something you are willing and able to commit to. Watch some of our Fellows from across the globe (Teresa, Shad). Read about some of our UK Fellows’ experiences with the programme (Marie, Abadesi, John & Duro). Our work is never finished. We certainly don’t have all the answers and we know that Acumen will learn as much from our Fellows as they will learn with us.

For any additional questions after reading the Frequently Asked Questions, please email uk@acumenacademy.org