Freedom Academy: Fall 2026 Student Cohort
Ready to explore the questions shaping the future of freedom and democracy?
Apply to join the inaugural Freedom Academy cohort at UMD. We're looking for students who are curious, engaged and interested in understanding democratic institutions, individual rights, civic responsibility and the role they can play in their communities and beyond.
Applications are open to University of Maryland undergraduate and graduate students from all majors and fields of study.
About Freedom Academy
The School of Public Policy is launching the inaugural Freedom Academy cohort in partnership with Demo Lab. Freedom Academy is a civic education program designed to help students turn civic knowledge into action. Through a combination of cinematic storytelling, real-world case studies, reflection and discussion, students will explore how democratic systems work, the challenges they face, and the role individuals can play in strengthening them. The program uses examples from around the world, with a particular focus on Latin America, while examining broader questions of freedom, democratic institutions, individual rights, governance and civic responsibility.
Students who participate will have the opportunity to:
- Deepen their understanding of democracy, freedom and civic participation.
- Strengthen critical thinking and independent judgment.
- Explore real-world cases and stories of people working to defend freedom and democratic institutions.
- Consider the relationship between freedom and responsibility.
- Connect ideas from the course to contemporary policy and governance challenges.
- Engage with other UMD students through faculty-guided discussions.
- Develop their civic leadership skills and expand their network.
- Earn a Certificate in Freedom and Civic Leadership, issued by the Demo Lab Foundation with support from the Cornell University Center for Democracy.
- Complete the Freedom Course, a 12–15 hour virtual, asynchronous learning experience.
- Work through eight modules exploring:
- Freedom as the Starting Point
- Political Freedom and Civic Participation
- Freedom of Expression
- Limited Government and Separation of Powers
- Property Rights and Personal Autonomy
- Government by Consent and Representation
- Voluntary Relationships and Associations
- Rule of Law
- Participate in three faculty-guided discussion sessions during the fall semester.
- Discussions will provide opportunities for reflection, deeper policy and regional analysis, peer dialogue, and connections to public policy scholarship and practice.
- Open to UMD undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines.
- Particularly relevant to students interested in:
- Public policy
- Government
- International relations
- Economics
- Journalism
- Democracy and governance
- Civic leadership
- Students from other fields are encouraged to apply if they are interested in questions of institutional integrity, individual rights, freedom and civic responsibility.
- The inaugural cohort will include a minimum of 30 students.
- Selection will be competitive and based on students' demonstrated interest, motivation and alignment with the program's objectives.
- Approximately 12–15 hours to complete the online Freedom Course (completed on your own time)
- Three, One-Hour faculty-guided discussion sessions during Fall 2026
- Students must complete the course and participate in at least two of the three in-person discussion sessions to successfully complete the program.
- October 19 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. (required)
- November 2, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. (optional)
- December 2, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. (required)
- $300 stipend for eligible students who successfully complete the program, subject to available student-support funding.
- Certificate in Freedom and Civic Leadership, issued by Cornelly University
- Access to the Freedom Ambassador Network (FAN) after completing the program.
- Through FAN, students may have access to:
- Microgrants for student-led civic projects
- Financial freedom and entrepreneurship learning
- Global events and international opportunities
- Volunteer and job opportunitiesMentorship and a global network of practitioners.
- Through FAN, students may have access to:
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