Project Centrifuge
Project Centrifuge is a 6-month fellowship designed for mid-career professionals who are ready to step back from their routine, explore new ideas, and reflect on the next phase of their career. Professionals, scholars, and creative people across a multitude of contexts and sectors all need a community and breathing room to contemplate their goals and values, and to construct an actionable vision of the future for themselves and their work. We couldn’t find such a space, so we decided to build one. Whether you are looking to create something new, dive more deeply into a personal project, or simply give yourself the space to think and grow, Project Centrifuge provides the structure and support to help you thrive.
What is Project Centrifuge?
Project Centrifuge is a no-cost, no-funding fellowship hosted by Arizona State University’s Center for Science and the Imagination and Lux Capital. The program begins with an in-person kickoff event at ASU in Tempe, Arizona, on January 23-24, 2025, followed by virtual fortnightly check-ins and interactions with a dynamic community of like-minded individuals. During these check-ins, fellows will have the chance to share progress, gain feedback, and participate in curated discussions with guest speakers from diverse fields.
Who Is This For?
This fellowship is for professionals who seek to create space in their lives for reflection, exploration, and new projects. If you’ve ever wanted to take a “sabbatical” but need a bit of guidance and structure to make it happen, this fellowship is designed for you.
Program Highlights
- Kickoff Event (In-Person): An immersive two-day gathering at Arizona State University’s Center for Science and the Imagination, where you’ll meet your fellow cohort members and begin your journey of exploration.
- Virtual Check-ins: Stay connected through virtual meetings that feature guest speakers, networking opportunities, and feedback on work in progress.
- Mentorship and Support: Access to experienced mentors, advisors, and a vibrant community of peers who are equally passionate about exploration and creative growth.
Flexible and Collaborative
Project Centrifuge is designed to be flexible. It’s meant to encourage exploration, rather than reproducing the strictures of single-threaded intellectual and professional rigor. The limited in-person engagements and monthly virtual meetings allow you to balance the fellowship with your other professional commitments, and the cohort ensures that you’ll have a supportive group of fellow travelers as you embark on your personal exploration.
Who Should Apply?
Project Centrifuge is ideal for individuals in the middle of their careers who want to take time to reflect, learn, and create something new. If you’re seeking inspiration, considering taking on an ambitious new project, or looking to make a career shift, this fellowship will provide the structure and connections to help you make it happen.
A Community of Explorers
At the heart of Project Centrifuge is the belief that exploration and creativity thrive in community and with accountability. Fellows will form lasting connections with one another, and share in the excitement of pursuing meaningful, personal projects. Our guest speakers will inspire and challenge you, helping you to think differently and explore new avenues in your career and beyond.