Thank you for your interest in the Moonshot Innovation Space Program. Please complete the following application in its entirety to be considered for Cohort 9.

Applications are due .

Before you begin, review our application reminders below:

• There are 6 main sections to the application: General Information, Time + Financial Commitment, Fellow Qualifications, Problem to Solve + Solution Design, Video Response OR Cover Letter, and Demographic Information (optional)
• There is an additional section to complete for applicants who are seeking to launch a new program/organization.
• View this application’s questions in a <> so that you can easily draft your responses before submitting your application and refer to the <> for more information.
• You should be able to save and revisit this application form at any time. We suggest you bookmark the application link.

Applicants who are selected to join Cohort 8 must commit to the full 9-month fellowship that begins August 29, 2026 and ends May 20, 2026.

The cost of participation in the 2025-2026 Moonshot Innovation Space is $650, payable in two increments. For those with financial need, scholarships are available.

The Moonshot Fellowship is intentionally designed as a full-cycle experience. Each workshop, retreat, and trip builds on the last, and your presence matters not only for your own solution, but for the strength of the cohort as a whole.

By applying, you are committing to:

• Full attendance at all three retreat weekends (no partial attendance, including travel days)
• Participation in the national trip, including travel days
• Active presence and preparation for workshops throughout the year, missing no more than 3
• On-time delivery of products related to your solution

Workshops

We understand that over the course of nine months, conflicts may arise. If you anticipate missing more than three workshops, we encourage you to apply in a future year when your schedule allows you to fully engage. Certain workshops are foundational to your progress, and missing key sessions may impact your ability to continue in the program. We recognize that unexpected medical or health-related emergencies can occur. 

Retreats

Retreats are immersive and foundational experiences that anchor the entire fellowship journey. Because of their design and sequencing, Fellows may not miss any portion of a retreat weekend. This includes travel days. If a Fellow is unable to attend any portion of the first retreat, they will be released from that cohort and may be considered for a future year. Retreats are designed as cohort-only experiences. Fellows should not request to bring friends, partners, or family members.

By submitting your application, you are confirming that you have:

• Cross-referenced all program dates with personal commitments
• Cross-referenced dates with professional obligations and events
• Secured support from relevant stakeholders (e.g., employer, co-parent, family, etc)
• Reflected honestly on your current capacity to take on this commitment

Fellows will need to request off from work on the following weekdays:

• Friday, 9/11/2026: Local Retreat
• Friday, 10/16/2026
• After 5 pm Thursday, 1/21/2027: National Retreat Travel Day
• Friday, 1/22/2027: National Retreat

Moonshot Innovation Space Expectations Outside of Workshops:

• Executive Coaching - ~4 hours
• Pre-work/Post-work - ~30 minutes per session
• Dedication to your solution- At least 5 hours weekly in the first half, 6-8 hours weekly in the second half
• Weekly Office Hours (optional, but encouraged)
• Mid-Fellowship and End of Fellowship check-ins with Moonshot staff
• 2 Community Design Team Meetings - ~2-4 hours total
• 2 Pilots - time varies

Review the program calendar to make sure you’re able to commit to our programming and Moonshot Innovation Space Expectations Outside of Workshops and ensure you do not anticipate having conflicts with workshop dates. If you have more than 3 conflicts with workshop dates, or must miss any retreat days, we encourage you to apply to the fellowship in a future year. 

Link to Program Calendar

Moonshot is seeking up to 20 youth-centered individuals from historically marginalized identities to join our next cohort. To ensure our programming aligns effectively, Moonshot seeks applicants who bring the following skills, professional and lived experiences, and qualities:

• Lives and plans to implement their solution in Colorado, specifically in the Denver metro area, Brighton, CO Springs, or Ft. Morgan
• Identifies as a member of a historically marginalized community, including but not limited to a person of color, nonbinary and/or gender-nonconforming individual, LGBTQ, or woman
• Is over the age of 18
• Is able to attend workshops in-person in Denver
• Experiences, skills, and values are rooted in racial equity, justice, inclusion, and belonging
• Strong subject matter knowledge, experience, and skills in community solution focus area
• Driven by community and sees value in sourcing community needs and engaging community in co-design & implementation processes
• Strong personal accountability & self management
• Highly organized, motivated, and detail-oriented
• Emotional intelligence & empathy
• Inclusive leadership and relational & strategic decision-making (previous supervision experience is not required)

Please review this list of Moonshot Fellow Qualifications to ensure that you are able to provide examples and experiences that show your competence in these areas throughout the application process.

Please provide us with preliminary information about the problem you aim to solve and your community solution design (if you have a preliminary design in place or are looking to implement within a current organization).

We don't expect you to have a totally fleshed out answer for each question, but we are curious about applicants' current thinking. You do not need to have your plans for your community solution solidified!

We see the Moonshot Innovation Space as an opportunity for Fellows to explore their ideas and partner with community to create a solution.

In order to learn more about your community solution and the experiences and individuals inspiring you to explore designing and implementing your idea, please upload your answers to the following questions by EITHER recording a 5-10 minute video OR writing a 1-2 page cover letter addressing the following:

• What problem do you aim to solve through your solution and why is it important to the community that is impacted by the problem?
• How have you built connections and engaged with the community you are hoping to work with to design and implement your solution?
• How does your experience, background, and identity influence your desire to design and implement this community solution?
• To design and implement your community solution well, what are the subject matter areas (e.g., early childhood education, mental health, climate justice, etc.) someone would need to know? Where do you feel your content knowledge and experience falls in those areas?
• What are your top 3 priorities for your own leadership development and/or the design of your community solution during your time in the Moonshot Innovation Space?

Moonshot seeks to support underrepresented and historically marginalized leaders in spaces that impact youth. Our selection committee will use this information to ensure Moonshot is cultivating a diverse pool of applicants.

This section is fully optional.

Moonshot requires fellows to commit to the following agreements upon acceptance to the program:

• Fellow will co-design a solution with the community to improve positive outcomes for youth and families in Colorado communities.
• Fellow will hold high standards of excellence for completion of deliverables for all sessions by the deadlines set or in a timely manner.
• Fellow will agree to accountability norms and demonstrate the Moonshot Core Values during the Moonshot Innovation Space fellowship.
• Fellow commits to being responsive to feedback and demonstrating a desire to learn and improve through coaching.
• Fellow commits to attend and be an engaged participant in workshop sessions and confirms availability before applying.
• Fellows will maintain confidentiality of conversations that take place over the course of the fellowship, both formally in-session and out of session.
  The Moonshot Innovation Space fellowship provides a confidential space that explores matters of career, family, identity, and challenges that participants face personally and professionally.

Program Fee: We ask that each Moonshot Fellow contribute a $650 investment as a commitment to joining the Moonshot Innovation Space. This investment represents how you will be showing up for yourself, your cohort, and the community as you step into this transformative journey. All investments will be absorbed back into program costs for the fellowship. Scholarships are available to those with financial need.

We want to ensure all Fellows can participate in this program. If finances are a barrier, or if you have any questions, please email us at ops@moonshotedventures.org.

• The first program fee is due by August 10, 2026.

• The second program fee is due by September 4, 2026.