73:I[245983,["$2","$3","$1a","$1b","$1c","$1d","$1e","$1f","$9","$20","$21","$22","$23","$a","$24","$25","$26","$27","$28","$29","$49","$4a","$4b","$4c","$4d","$4e","$4f","$50","$51","$52","$53","$54"],"default"] 74:T45b,In the Arena, an Aspen Institute program led by the Aspen Global Leadership Network in partnership with the McNulty Foundation, supports civic and social change leaders through renewal, peer connection, and collective reflection. It brings together two cohorts of Aspen Fellows working in a shared US civic and political context, responding to disappearing funding, pressure on democratic values, and the difficulty of pausing while sustaining demanding leadership work. The program creates space for leaders to step back from urgent demands and imagine possibilities together. Each cohort meets for a long-weekend seminar in a restorative US setting, combining Aspen seminar dialogues, immersive time in nature, and somatic experiences. Four commitments guide the experience: restoring resilience, connecting a sustaining community, strengthening courage to act on deeply held values, and collectively imagining a path forward. Curated by Dar Vanderbeck and John Simpkins, the program aims to sustain the trust, nourishment, and community that social change leaders need to continue their work through challenges.75:T1108,

[Aspen Institute](https://www.aspeninstitute.org)

August 27–30, 2026 (Cohort 1 seminar) | November 17–20, 2026 (Cohort 2 seminar) | Waitlist requests by email (no deadline stated)

No participation cost; participants cover travel, with limited financial assistance available case by case

In the Arena supports Aspen Fellows leading civic and social change through restorative seminars, peer connection, and collective reflection.

Open only to Aspen Fellows based in or leading work within the United States, including multi-geography leaders with a meaningful US presence.

--- ## Description In the Arena is an Aspen Institute program led by the Aspen Global Leadership Network in partnership with the McNulty Foundation. It brings together two cohorts of 16–18 Aspen Fellows leading civic and social change in a shared US civic and political context. The program responds to disappearing funding, pressure on democratic values, and the difficulty of finding space to pause and reflect while sustaining demanding leadership work. Each cohort gathers for a long-weekend seminar in a restorative US setting. Aspen seminar dialogues, immersive time in nature, and somatic experiences support renewal and genuine human connection. The program centers on four commitments: restoring resilience, connecting a sustaining community, strengthening courage to act on deeply held values, and collectively imagining a path forward. --- ## Due Dates Both cohorts have reached capacity. Interested Fellows may request placement on the waitlist by email. - August 27–30, 2026: Cohort 1 seminar in Santa Monica, California. - November 17–20, 2026: Cohort 2 seminar at the Fetzer Institute campus in Kalamazoo, Michigan. --- ## Funding Amount McNulty Foundation support makes participation in the program free. Participants are responsible for travel to and from the seminar location. Limited financial assistance is available on a case-by-case basis. Applicants seeking assistance should indicate this in their application. --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicants must: - Be Aspen Institute Fellows currently leading civic or social change work. - Be currently based in or leading work within the United States. - Maintain a meaningful US presence if their work spans multiple geographies. The experience is intended for leaders who are: - Navigating the tension between urgency and sustainability in their leadership. - Seeking trusted peers who understand the demands of leading in this moment. - Ready to take time for personal renewal, not just their work. - Seeking space to think beyond urgent demands and imagine possibilities with peers. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Email [Shevika Mishra](mailto:shevika.mishra@aspeninstitute.org) to request placement on the waitlist. - **Availability:** Both cohorts have reached capacity. - **Financial assistance:** Indicate in your application if you would like to be considered. - **Program details:** Review the [program page](https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/aspen-global-leadership-network/in-the-arena/) for the experience and cohort locations. --- ## Additional Information The program curators are Dar Vanderbeck, Vice President of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, and John Simpkins, President and CEO of MDC and a Liberty Fellow. The partnership aims to sustain the trust, nourishment, and community that social change leaders need to continue their work through challenges. --- ## External Links - [In the Arena program page](https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/aspen-global-leadership-network/in-the-arena/) - [Dar Vanderbeck, program curator](https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/dar-vanderbeck/) - [John Simpkins, program curator](https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/john-l-s-simpkins/) - [Aspen Institute contact page](https://www.aspeninstitute.org/contact) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | Webpage | |---|---|---|---| | Shevika Mishra — waitlist contact | shevika.mishra@aspeninstitute.org | | | | Aspen Institute — general contact | | (202) 736-5800 | [Contact page](https://www.aspeninstitute.org/contact) |76:T95c,Funder: Aspen Institute Due Dates: August 27–30, 2026 (Cohort 1 seminar) | November 17–20, 2026 (Cohort 2 seminar) | Waitlist requests by email (no deadline stated) Funding Amounts: No participation cost; participants cover travel, with limited financial assistance available case by case Summary: In the Arena supports Aspen Fellows leading civic and social change through restorative seminars, peer connection, and collective reflection. Key Information: Open only to Aspen Fellows based in or leading work within the United States, including multi-geography leaders with a meaningful US presence. --- ## Description In the Arena is an Aspen Institute program led by the Aspen Global Leadership Network in partnership with the McNulty Foundation. It brings together two cohorts of 16–18 Aspen Fellows leading civic and social change in a shared US civic and political context. The program responds to disappearing funding, pressure on democratic values, and the difficulty of finding space to pause and reflect while sustaining demanding leadership work. Each cohort gathers for a long-weekend seminar in a restorative US setting. Aspen seminar dialogues, immersive time in nature, and somatic experiences support renewal and genuine human connection. The program centers on four commitments: restoring resilience, connecting a sustaining community, strengthening courage to act on deeply held values, and collectively imagining a path forward. --- --- ## Funding Amount McNulty Foundation support makes participation in the program free. Participants are responsible for travel to and from the seminar location. Limited financial assistance is available on a case-by-case basis. Applicants seeking assistance should indicate this in their application. --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicants must: - Be Aspen Institute Fellows currently leading civic or social change work. - Be currently based in or leading work within the United States. - Maintain a meaningful US presence if their work spans multiple geographies. The experience is intended for leaders who are: - Navigating the tension between urgency and sustainability in their leadership. - Seeking trusted peers who understand the demands of leading in this moment. - Ready to take time for personal renewal, not just their work. - Seeking space to think beyond urgent demands and imagine possibilities with peers.45:[null,["$","$L73",null,{"grant":{"id":"f3b8f0c4-dddc-4e19-9e1c-93c696773e79","created_at":"2026-03-29T08:07:30.43919+00:00","updated_at":"2026-10-01T13:00:51.043881+00:00","title":"In the Arena","description":"$74","summary":"In the Arena supports Aspen Fellows leading civic and social change through restorative seminars, peer connection, and collective reflection to renew resilience and strengthen courage to act on their values.","funder_id":"001e1a30-19e8-4330-8db1-77ad34c70455","url":"https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/aspen-global-leadership-network/in-the-arena/","slug":"in-the-arena-aspen-institute","legacy_opportunity_id":null,"primary_sources_id":"1b07968e-22cf-4098-9923-31a44f5fe78c","questions":["Am I eligible if I am an Aspen Fellow leading civic or social change work with a meaningful presence in the United States?","When are the two seminar cohorts scheduled, and can I still join now that both have reached capacity?","Is participation free, and what travel expenses or financial assistance should I expect?","How do I request a place on the waitlist, and whom should I contact?","Does the program align with my work by offering leadership renewal, peer connection, and collective reflection on civic and social change?"],"opportunity_number":null,"grants3_pages":[{"id":"807b5200-f172-4343-b713-9ba4acc8b49d","markdown":"$75","created_at":"2026-10-01T13:00:16.920904+00:00","grants3_id":"f3b8f0c4-dddc-4e19-9e1c-93c696773e79","updated_at":"2026-10-01T13:01:01.307779+00:00","eligibility":"## Grant Eligibility Requirements\n\n### Geographic/Institutional\n- Applicants must be currently based in or leading work within the United States.\n- Applicants whose work spans multiple geographies must maintain a meaningful US presence.\n\n### Other Eligibility Requirements\n- Applicants must be Aspen Institute Fellows.\n- Applicants must currently be leading civic or social change work.\n- Participants are responsible for covering their own travel to and from the seminar; limited financial assistance is available on a case-by-case basis.","fit_summary":"$76","update_summary":"Both cohorts are now full, but you can still request a waitlist place by emailing shevika.mishra@aspeninstitute.org; no waitlist deadline is stated. 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In the Arena

In the Arena

Aspen Leadership Seminars

Aspen Global Innovators Group

Aspen Society

Middle East Leadership Initiative

Ascend Fellowship

Aspen Leadership Seminars

Aspen Global Innovators Group

Aspen Society

Middle East Leadership Initiative

Ascend Fellowship