Accepted Fellows FAQs
We are so excited for you to join us! In addition to these FAQ, you’ll receive a Welcome Packet in your email once you’re accepted. If your question still isn’t answered, reach out to us.
Accepted Fellows FAQs
We are so excited for you to join us! In addition to these FAQ, you’ll receive a Welcome Packet in your email once you’re accepted. If your question still isn’t answered, reach out to us.
Register and pay for the Fellowship and Institute
The fellowship tuition is USD $1,500.
Fellows often receive funding and support from their employers or academic institutions. Learn more about the costs, funding support, and scholarships.
We provide payment plans for incoming Fellows and you must pay your tuition balance in full one week prior to the Institute start date. Contact us directly if you’re interested in a payment plan.
When you’re ready, you can register and pay for the institute online through our registration form.
The $250 deposit is non-refundable.
We are able to refund everything but the $250 non-refundable deposit by this schedule:
- We will refund you in full up to 60 days before the Institute.
- We will refund you 50% up to 30 days before the Institute.
- With less than 30 days before the Institute, we are not able to offer a refund, except under the circumstance of a visa denial.
If you are deferred to a future Institute, your tuition is non-refundable.
StartingBloc does not allow Fellows to defer their Fellowship opportunity except due to extreme medical reasons, family loss or visa denials.
StartingBloc reserves the right to evaluate each deferral request on a case-by-case basis.
In the case of an emergency, accepted Fellows may qualify for one deferral if the $250 deposit has been paid. If it has not been paid, the applicant will have to re-apply to a future Institute and forfeit their scholarship (if applicable).
Plan your trip to Institute
StartingBloc does not provide accommodation for Fellows during the Institutes. Many Fellows connect to one another prior to Institute to plan sharing housing in Airbnbs, hostels, and hotels. Once we receive your confirmation deposit, you’ll get access to your Institute’s online group and be able to coordinate with incoming Fellows
No. All incoming and current StartingBloc Fellows are responsible for booking their own travel, lodging, and transportation to and from StartingBloc programs. StartingBloc assumes no liability or responsibility for these costs. We encourage all Fellows to evaluate risk in making arrangements to/from the Institute and to purchase travel and medical insurance for any flights or lodging to the U.S.
For US Institutes, please fill out the letter of support request form to use with the U.S. Embassy in your area. The form is linked within your Welcome Packet.
For our South Africa Institute, please follow the directions in your Welcome Packet to receive an invitation letter from StartingBloc.
Most Fellows arrive the day before the Institute begins to have time to relax, get over any jet lag and enjoy the location. It is required for incoming Fellows to attend all 5 days of the institute. Most incoming Fellows schedule to leave on the last evening of Institute or the next day. Remember, the Institute is scheduled to end around 5pm, so keep this in mind when booking tickets and allow for enough time to get to the airport or train/bus station. We recommend booking flights that leave at 7pm or later.
Get ready for a great week at Institute
Each day of the Institute has a different theme and a mix of speakers, interactive sessions, and time to collaborate with other Fellows. At the end of each day we’ll host a reception at a nearby bar or restaurant where you’ll be able to relax with new friends. Read more about the Institute here.
Each Institute will begin Thursday at approximately 9:00am and will end Monday evening at 5:00pm. If accepted, please refer to your welcome packet for more details.
Yes. In order to become a StartingBloc Fellow, accepted Fellows must participate in all sessions of the Institute.
The breakout group (BOG) is a small group of Institute attendees (5-8 people) who you will spend time with throughout the week. Your mentor is the leader of your BOG and a current StartingBloc Fellow. They have gone through the process of Institute and can provide you with support and clarification.
One month before Institute, you’ll hear from your mentor and connect with the other people in your BOG. Having conversations with your break-out group will prepare you for your week, and give you at least a few familiar faces when you walk in on day one.
A week before the Institute, we will email you the biographies of all incoming Fellows. Read through, take notes, and get excited to meet them!
StartingBloc Fellows are intergenerational (18-70 in age range), working across many different sectors and industries, and coming from over 56 countries around the world. The room is diverse across many spectrums and experiences.
We suggest lots of rest the week before the Institute. During the Institute, you will be surrounded by people all day, interacting in sessions, moving around a lot, and then likely spending more time with incoming Fellows each evening by going out to dinner or other activities around the city.
Finally, make sure you read your Welcome Packet and all emails from the StartingBloc Team. Respond to your Institute mentor and join your pre-Institute virtual session with your breakout group!
Register and pay for the Fellowship and Institute
The fellowship tuition is USD $1,500.
Fellows often receive funding and support from their employers or academic institutions. Learn more about the costs, funding support, and scholarships.
We provide payment plans for incoming Fellows and you must pay your tuition balance in full one week prior to the Institute start date. Contact us directly if you’re interested in a payment plan.
When you’re ready, you can register and pay for the institute online through our registration form.
The $250 deposit is non-refundable.
We are able to refund everything but the $250 non-refundable deposit by this schedule:
- We will refund you in full up to 60 days before the Institute.
- We will refund you 50% up to 30 days before the Institute.
- With less than 30 days before the Institute, we are not able to offer a refund, except under the circumstance of a visa denial.
If you are deferred to a future Institute, your tuition is non-refundable.
StartingBloc does not allow Fellows to defer their Fellowship opportunity except due to extreme medical reasons, family loss or visa denials.
StartingBloc reserves the right to evaluate each deferral request on a case-by-case basis.
In the case of an emergency, accepted Fellows may qualify for one deferral if the $250 deposit has been paid. If it has not been paid, the applicant will have to re-apply to a future Institute and forfeit their scholarship (if applicable).
Plan your trip to Institute
StartingBloc does not provide accommodation for Fellows during the Institutes. Many Fellows connect to one another prior to Institute to plan sharing housing in Airbnbs, hostels, and hotels. Once we receive your confirmation deposit, you’ll get access to your Institute’s online group and be able to coordinate with incoming Fellows
No. All incoming and current StartingBloc Fellows are responsible for booking their own travel, lodging, and transportation to and from StartingBloc programs. StartingBloc assumes no liability or responsibility for these costs. We encourage all Fellows to evaluate risk in making arrangements to/from the Institute and to purchase travel and medical insurance for any flights or lodging to the U.S.
For US Institutes, please fill out the letter of support request form to use with the U.S. Embassy in your area. The form is linked within your Welcome Packet.
For our South Africa Institute, please follow the directions in your Welcome Packet to receive an invitation letter from StartingBloc.
Most Fellows arrive the day before the Institute begins to have time to relax, get over any jet lag and enjoy the location. It is required for incoming Fellows to attend all 5 days of the institute. Most incoming Fellows schedule to leave on the last evening of Institute or the next day. Remember, the Institute is scheduled to end around 5pm, so keep this in mind when booking tickets and allow for enough time to get to the airport or train/bus station. We recommend booking flights that leave at 7pm or later.
Get ready for a great week at Institute
Each day of the Institute has a different theme and a mix of speakers, interactive sessions, and time to collaborate with other Fellows. At the end of each day we’ll host a reception at a nearby bar or restaurant where you’ll be able to relax with new friends. Read more about the Institute here.
Each Institute will begin Thursday at approximately 9:00am and will end Monday evening at 5:00pm. If accepted, please refer to your welcome packet for more details.
Yes. In order to become a StartingBloc Fellow, accepted Fellows must participate in all sessions of the Institute.
The breakout group (BOG) is a small group of Institute attendees (5-8 people) who you will spend time with throughout the week. Your mentor is the leader of your BOG and a current StartingBloc Fellow. They have gone through the process of Institute and can provide you with support and clarification.
One month before Institute, you’ll hear from your mentor and connect with the other people in your BOG. Having conversations with your break-out group will prepare you for your week, and give you at least a few familiar faces when you walk in on day one.
A week before the Institute, we will email you the biographies of all incoming Fellows. Read through, take notes, and get excited to meet them!
StartingBloc Fellows are intergenerational (18-70 in age range), working across many different sectors and industries, and coming from over 56 countries around the world. The room is diverse across many spectrums and experiences.
We suggest lots of rest the week before the Institute. During the Institute, you will be surrounded by people all day, interacting in sessions, moving around a lot, and then likely spending more time with incoming Fellows each evening by going out to dinner or other activities around the city.
Finally, make sure you read your Welcome Packet and all emails from the StartingBloc Team. Respond to your Institute mentor and join your pre-Institute virtual session with your breakout group!
We can’t wait to spend time with you!
Do you still have questions? Email us at [email protected]