Step into the Future of Leadership with the BAM Fellowship
A groundbreaking journey in Civic Biodesign to equip you with the tools, skills, and vision to reshape communities and ecosystems.
The Program That Redefines Education
A New Paradigm for Learning
The BAM Institute is not just another education program—it’s a transformative journey designed for those who want to lead the way in a rapidly changing world. Our whole-system, regenerative approach equips fellows with the tools to not only understand complex challenges but to create lasting, meaningful solutions. By connecting human systems with natural ecosystems, the BAM Fellowship prepares you to thrive in uncertainty and design for a better future.
Why Now?
We live in a time of profound change. Traditional education models, built for a bygone era, are no longer enough to meet the demands of today’s challenges. Whether it’s climate resilience, community wellness, or equitable design, tomorrow’s leaders must be equipped to think holistically, act regeneratively, and work collaboratively. The BAM Fellowship is designed to meet this moment.
What Sets Us Apart
Self-Paced, Hands-On, and Project-Based: Move at your own speed while engaging in immersive, real-world projects that deliver measurable impact.
Leadership and Adaptability: Learn to lead with confidence, adapt to complex systems, and create solutions that work across scales—from individuals to communities.
Embedded in Real-World Communities: Gain more than knowledge—gain experience. Every module is rooted in real-world contexts, ensuring that what you learn today can be applied in meaningful ways tomorrow.
The BAM Fellowship isn’t just about learning—it’s about becoming. If you’re ready to grow, lead, and make a difference, this is your invitation to join the next generation of changemakers.
Outcomes That Matter
The BAM Fellowship is more than an educational program—it’s a launchpad for impactful leadership and meaningful change. Our fellows leave with more than just knowledge; they graduate with the skills, confidence, and experience to drive transformation in their communities and beyond.
What You’ll Gain
Mastery of Civic Biodesign Principles: Learn to design systems where humans and nature thrive together, creating conditions for long-term wellness and resilience in your bioregion.
Competency in Systems Thinking and Interdisciplinary Approaches: Develop the ability to see connections, map complexities, and synthesize insights across disciplines for innovative solutions.
A Portfolio of Real-World Projects: Showcase tangible outcomes from your fellowship—completed projects that demonstrate your ability to apply what you’ve learned to make a measurable impact.
"Insert inspiring quote or testimonial here." — Name, BAM Fellow
Through the BAM Fellowship, you’ll gain not just tools, but the mindset and network to shape a more regenerative and interconnected future. Ready to take the next step? Your impact starts here.
A Program Built for You
The BAM Fellowship is designed to fit your life while challenging you to grow in ways you never thought possible. With a structure that is self-paced, project-based, and competency-focused, this program provides a unique and flexible learning experience tailored to emerging leaders.
The Framework: Modular Learning at Its Best
The fellowship is organized into eight distinct modules, each exploring a different layer of the "Scale of Wellness"—from The Self to The Township. This framework allows you to understand and design for wellness at every scale of human and ecological systems, ensuring a comprehensive and impactful learning journey.
The Three Components of Every Module
Each module integrates three key elements to create a well-rounded learning experience:
Event: Participate in hands-on, immersive learning experiences designed to deepen your understanding and spark creativity.
Project: Apply your knowledge to real-world challenges, delivering tangible outcomes that demonstrate your impact.
Competencies: Develop skills across nine essential dimensions, from systems thinking to leadership and practical design.
Learn at Your Own Pace
Whether you want to tackle one module at a time or work across several simultaneously, the BAM Fellowship is built for flexibility. Fellows typically complete one module per academic quarter, but the self-paced nature allows you to progress in a way that aligns with your goals and commitments.
This isn’t traditional education—it’s an adaptable, immersive journey that prepares you to thrive in the complex systems of the future. Dive into the BAM Fellowship and see how it fits your life, your vision, and your path to making a difference.
Different by Design
At the BAM Fellowship, we don’t just prepare you for the future—we empower you to shape it. Our innovative approach to education stands apart, built to meet the demands of a world in flux. Here’s what makes the BAM Fellowship uniquely transformative:
Emergent Learning
Adaptability is the hallmark of effective leadership. Our fellowship encourages innovation and iteration, giving you the freedom to experiment, learn from failures, and grow. Through emergent learning, you’ll gain the confidence to navigate uncertainty and drive meaningful change.
Whole-System Thinking
The challenges of our world are deeply interconnected, and so are our solutions. Whole-system thinking is at the heart of the BAM Fellowship, teaching you to map the relationships between people, communities, and ecosystems. You’ll develop a mindset that sees the big picture while addressing the finer details.
Regenerative Approach
We go beyond sustainability. The BAM Fellowship equips you with tools to design regenerative systems that restore and renew resources, relationships, and communities. By focusing on long-term resilience, you’ll learn to create solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
Real-World Contexts
Forget abstract classroom learning. At BAM, the world is your classroom. Every project and module is grounded in real-world settings—your hometown, your community, or your bioregion. This immersive approach ensures your work makes an immediate, tangible impact.
Collaborative Networks
Change doesn’t happen in isolation. The BAM Fellowship connects you with a dynamic network of peers, mentors, and community leaders. Together, you’ll tackle real challenges, co-create solutions, and build lifelong relationships that amplify your impact.
The BAM Fellowship is designed for changemakers who are ready to think boldly, act regeneratively, and lead with vision. Are you ready to embrace a different kind of education? Your journey starts here.
Different by Design
At the BAM Fellowship, we don’t just prepare you for the future—we empower you to shape it. Our innovative approach to education stands apart, built to meet the demands of a world in flux. Here’s what makes the BAM Fellowship uniquely transformative:
Emergent Learning
Adaptability is the hallmark of effective leadership. Our fellowship encourages innovation and iteration, giving you the freedom to experiment, learn from failures, and grow. Through emergent learning, you’ll gain the confidence to navigate uncertainty and drive meaningful change.
Whole-System Thinking
The challenges of our world are deeply interconnected, and so are our solutions. Whole-system thinking is at the heart of the BAM Fellowship, teaching you to map the relationships between people, communities, and ecosystems. You’ll develop a mindset that sees the big picture while addressing the finer details.
Regenerative Approach
We go beyond sustainability. The BAM Fellowship equips you with tools to design regenerative systems that restore and renew resources, relationships, and communities. By focusing on long-term resilience, you’ll learn to create solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
Real-World Contexts
Forget abstract classroom learning. At BAM, the world is your classroom. Every project and module is grounded in real-world settings—your hometown, your community, or your bioregion. This immersive approach ensures your work makes an immediate, tangible impact.
Collaborative Networks
Change doesn’t happen in isolation. The BAM Fellowship connects you with a dynamic network of peers, mentors, and community leaders. Together, you’ll tackle real challenges, co-create solutions, and build lifelong relationships that amplify your impact.
The BAM Fellowship is designed for changemakers who are ready to think boldly, act regeneratively, and lead with vision. Are you ready to embrace a different kind of education? Your journey starts here.
Is This Fellowship Right for You?
The BAM Fellowship is for those who are ready to lead, innovate, and transform the world around them. Whether you’re an aspiring changemaker or a seasoned leader seeking a fresh perspective, this program offers the tools, network, and inspiration to take your impact to the next level.
You Might Be a BAM Fellow If:
You’re Passionate About Transformation: You care deeply about creating change in your community and the environment. You see challenges as opportunities to build a more regenerative and equitable world.
You’re a Lifelong Learner: You’re curious, open-minded, and eager to embrace the complexities of our interconnected systems. You’re ready to grow, adapt, and innovate in ways that challenge conventional thinking.
You’re Committed to Your Community: You believe in the power of local action to drive global impact. You’re ready to invest in yourself and your community, knowing that your growth creates ripple effects far beyond you.
Everyone is Welcome
No matter your background, if you’re ready to make an impact, we want you here. The BAM Fellowship values diversity of thought, experience, and identity, recognizing that the best solutions come from inclusive collaboration.
If you’re driven to lead with vision, embrace innovation, and create meaningful change, the BAM Fellowship is the place for you. Let’s build the future together.
We want you here.
Let’s build the future together.
A Journey Through the Scale of Wellness
The BAM Fellowship is structured around eight transformative modules, each designed to explore a different scale of human and ecological systems—from the individual to the larger community. Together, they guide you through an in-depth understanding of wellness and systems design, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to create lasting impact.
The Modules at a Glance
The Eight Dimensions of Wellness
Each module integrates the Eight Dimensions of Wellness, providing a holistic framework for personal and community growth:
Intellectual: Expanding creative abilities and knowledge.
Physical: Building habits for health and vitality.
Environmental: Creating supportive, sustainable spaces.
Emotional: Developing resilience and fulfilling relationships.
Social: Fostering connection and belonging.
Spiritual: Cultivating purpose and ethical alignment.
Financial: Balancing resources for stability and growth.
Occupational: Aligning work with values and community impact.
Your Path to Impact
By engaging with all eight modules, you’ll build a comprehensive understanding of wellness and systems design, ready to apply these insights at every level—from your own life to global initiatives.
Explore how each module builds toward a comprehensive understanding of wellness and systems design.
Program Logistics: What You Need to Know
Affordable, Flexible, and Built for You
The BAM Fellowship is designed to make transformative education accessible, adaptable, and impactful. Here’s everything you need to know about the logistics of joining the program.
Cost of Investment
$3,000 per Module: Each of the eight modules is a self-contained learning experience, providing hands-on projects, immersive events, and skill-building competencies.
Pay-As-You-Go: You only pay for the modules you are actively working on, offering flexibility and financial predictability.
Duration and Flexibility
3-Year Program: The BAM Fellowship is structured as a three-year journey, with the flexibility to extend or compress your timeline based on your pace and availability.
Self-Paced Learning: You set the schedule. Whether you tackle one module at a time or balance multiple, the program adapts to your life.
Remote and Embedded Learning
Your Hometown is Your Campus: No need to relocate—your community becomes your living laboratory, ensuring your learning is rooted in real-world contexts.
Global Collaboration: Connect with fellows, mentors, and experts across regions to share insights and co-create solutions that span local and global scales.
No Traditional Degree, Just Impact
Focused on Skills, Not Credits: While the program does not offer traditional college credit, it’s designed to align with a 48-credit-hour curriculum. You’ll graduate with a portfolio of projects and demonstrated competencies that speak louder than a transcript.
Certification in Civic Biodesign: At the end of the program, you’ll be recognized as a Civic Biodesigner—a leader in an emerging field that you’ll help define.
Pay It Forward
When you invest in the BAM Fellowship, you’re not just investing in yourself—you’re contributing to the next generation of changemakers. Tuition helps fund future cohorts and initiatives, creating a cycle of transformation and impact.
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
Join a community of leaders shaping the future.
A New Role for a New World
What is a Civic Biodesigner?
A Civic Biodesigner is a leader, innovator, and systems thinker who bridges the gap between human systems and the natural world. Using regenerative principles and a whole-systems approach, Civic Biodesigners create conditions for wellness, resilience, and equity in the communities and ecosystems they serve. This role is uniquely suited to today’s world, where addressing complex challenges like climate change, social inequity, and resource sustainability requires integrated and adaptive solutions.
Your Role as a Change Facilitator
As a BAM Fellow, you’ll develop the skills to:
Identify Opportunities for Regeneration: Map out the intersections of human and natural systems to pinpoint areas for transformation.
Design Collaborative Solutions: Facilitate conversations and projects that engage diverse stakeholders, ensuring inclusive and impactful solutions.
Lead with Vision: Inspire others to think differently about the future, cultivating momentum for systemic change in your community.
Civic Biodesigners don’t just solve problems—they shape possibilities, working as catalysts for progress and renewal.
Career Paths and Impact Opportunities
The Fellowship prepares you for a range of roles and opportunities:
Community Leadership: Lead initiatives that foster wellness, equity, and sustainability in your local area.
Urban and Rural Design: Collaborate on projects to reimagine public spaces, infrastructure, and ecosystems for greater resilience.
Policy and Advocacy: Work with government or nonprofits to design policies that align with regenerative principles and systemic equity.
Education and Training: Teach others to integrate systems thinking and Civic Biodesign into their work.
Social Entrepreneurship: Launch your venture to address pressing challenges with innovative, scalable solutions.
Whether you aim to influence policy, redesign spaces, or launch initiatives, the skills and experience gained through the BAM Fellowship will position you as a leader in an emerging, vital field.
Start Your Journey
Be part of a new generation of changemakers. Step into your role as a Civic Biodesigner and create the future we need.
Start Your Journey
Be part of a new generation of changemakers. Step into your role as a Civic Biodesigner and create the future we need.
Take the First Step
Are you ready to create real change? The BAM Fellowship is your opportunity to join a community of bold, visionary leaders committed to shaping a more resilient and regenerative future.
Why Wait?
Join a community of changemakers shaping the future.
Applications are now open for the next cohort.
This is your chance to step into a transformative journey, build impactful skills, and lead meaningful change in your community and beyond.
Click below to apply now and start your path as a Civic Biodesigner.
Still Have Questions?
We’re here to help! Whether you’re curious about the program details, want to learn more about the BAM Fellowship, or simply need guidance on the application process, we’d love to hear from you.
Let’s Stay in Touch
Have specific questions? Contact us, and we’ll get back to you promptly.
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Pay It Forward
Your Impact Goes Beyond the Fellowship
When you join the BAM Fellowship, you’re not just investing in your own growth—you’re contributing to a ripple effect of transformation. Your participation directly supports future cohorts, community initiatives, and innovative projects that drive real change. Together, we’re building a legacy of regeneration and resilience.
How It Works
Empowering Future Changemakers: A portion of your tuition helps fund the next generation of fellows, creating opportunities for more people to join the movement for change.
Fueling Community Initiatives: Your participation supports projects like Karol’s Prairie, the Sioux Falls Tool Library, and the Preservation Kitchen—real-world efforts that bring wellness and regeneration to life.
"The BAM Fellowship didn't just teach me new skills - it fundamentally rewired how I see the world and my place in it. Through deep immersion in civic biodesign, I learned to recognize my own biases and inherited assumptions about how things 'should' work. The Fellowship's most powerful lesson was that a system is what it does, not what we wish it to be. This insight proved invaluable when I ran for City Council, as it helped me move beyond simplistic solutions to understand that what we're really doing is developing strategies to influence outcomes. When you realize there are no perfect solutions, only thoughtful approaches to complex challenges, it actually becomes easier to take meaningful action. The Fellowship gave me tools I never knew I needed and expanded my capacity for understanding far beyond what I thought possible. Most importantly, it taught me how to be comfortable with discomfort - to stand in the space between what is and what could be, and to work effectively with others despite our differences. This has transformed not just how I approach public service, but how I engage with every aspect of community life." - Jordan Deffenbaugh, 2021 Fellow
Be Part of the Movement
By choosing BAM, you’re not just shaping your own future—you’re building a better, more connected world for others. Join us in creating a cycle of growth and opportunity that extends far beyond the Fellowship.
