Sphere Summit

Sphere Education Initiative works with grades 5–12 educators to advance free speech, civil discourse, and civic culture. Our events, educational programming, and professional development opportunities are exclusively nonpartisan. We bring together experts from across the ideological spectrum and from a wide diversity of experiences and backgrounds to engage educators on the most pressing topics of the day. Sphere programming does not advocate for any policy position but strives to inform educators about the breadth and diversity of positions on any given topic so that they are well equipped to support discussion among students.

The staff of Sphere Education Initiatives bring decades of teaching and professional development experience to its workshops and programs. Additionally, Sphere works with the premier professional development organizations covering civics, history, economics, and media literacy. All the groups we work with provide exceptional, unbiased, and nonpartisan professional development opportunities for all educators.

As part of the Cato Institute, a 501(c)3 educational nonprofit, all funding for Sphere Education Initiatives comes from a wide variety of individual donors and family foundations. Across the board, these are people gravely concerned about the lack of civil discourse in society and the importance of education in America.

Sphere is housed within the Cato Institute but is not a part of any of the policy efforts of any of those departments. We are a separate educational project, with strictly nonpartisan and non‐​ideological aims.

Of the over 10,000 alumni of Sphere, the vast majority are public school teachers, many of whom are union members. They represent a wide diversity of subject areas, school types, and ideological backgrounds. What they have in common is a passion for civil discourse and helping their students be more successful. We’re proud of the work that they do.

There is no fee to attend the Summit, but an application is required. The Cato Institute will provide a $500 stipend to offset the cost of travel expenses upon the completion of the Summit. Participants are responsible for any travel expenses that exceed that amount. Participants should be prepared to pay for all personal expenses, additional nights, and incidentals, such as phone calls, room service, or extra meals.

The Cato Institute provides room and board for four days for in‐​person attendees, starting with dinner on Sunday, June 29, and ending with breakfast on Thursday, July 3, for the first Summit and starting with dinner on Monday, July 14, and ending with breakfast on Friday, July 18, for the second Summit.

Each in‐​person seminar participant is eligible to receive a stipend of $500 upon completion of the Summit. Please note that we are unable to provide supplemental funding in cases where the stipend is insufficient to cover all travel expenses. Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from the Summit. Failure to complete the Summit may result in a delay or denial of the stipend.

If, for some reason, you are unable to attend the Sphere Summit, you must notify Cato in writing of your cancellation as soon as possible. If you cancel, you agree to pay a $75 cancellation fee. You will also assume this charge if you fail to attend all scheduled events, engage in disruptive behavior toward other attendees or hotel guests, or are responsible for any destruction of property. Please note that the fee for cancellation will increase to $250 within one month of the start of the Summit (May 30 and June 13).

Grades 5–12 educators and administrators from schools currently teaching in the United States may apply to the Sphere Summit.

Yes, educators from the same school may attend Sphere Summit. Whole departments and colleagues from across schools are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please note that while alumni of a previous Sphere Summit may reapply, only those bringing colleagues who have not previously admitted will be considered eligible. Alumni not bringing colleagues are encouraged to consider other Sphere programming, including our alumni Fellowship.

Participants are expected to attend all sessions during Sphere Summit. This includes lectures, workshops, breakouts, and meals that are scheduled during Summit. Participants will receive a certificate of completion as well as complimentary copies of all books, Summit materials, and classroom resources.

Participants will be placed at one of four hotels within walking distance of Sphere Summit Events. For the first Summit, the check‐​in date is Sunday, June 29, and the checkout date is Thursday, July 3. For the second summit, the check‐​in date is Monday, July 14 and the checkout date is Friday, July 18. Hotel accommodations are provided only for the duration of the seminar and each participant will have their own room. Room fees and taxes are covered for the nights of June 29‐​July 3 and July 14–18 respectively. Participants are responsible for the additional nights and any hotel incidentals, such as parking, personal expenses, phone calls, room service, or extra meals.

We are unable to accommodate family and friends.

Yes. If you live in Washington, DC, or the surrounding areas, you are welcome to commute to Summit every morning, however parking is unavailable at the Cato Institute and is limited in the surrounding neighborhood.

No, you cannot defer your acceptance. We encourage you to apply again but cannot guarantee your acceptance at a later time.

Applicants will be notified of their status on a rolling basis, typically within 3–4 weeks of submission. The deadline for applications is Friday, June 20, at 11:59 p.m. EDT or whenever Summit has reached capacity, whichever comes first. Applicants who are accepted will be directed to registration information.

Applicants may only apply to and attend one Summit.

Both Sphere Summits for 2025 are open to all educators and administrators in grades 5–12. New this year, each Summit has a unique theme. The first Summit’s theme is “Freedom, Rights, and America’s 250th” while the second Summit’s theme is “Cultivating Curiosity, Openness, and Civil Discourse in Every Classroom.”

Educators from across all disciplines and subject areas are eligible to apply. Groups of educators from the same school are particularly encouraged. Each Summit will offer distinct programming to meet the needs of both middle and high school educators as well as educators teaching either on grade level or advanced courses like AP or IB.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptop computers or tablets for notetaking and workshops, but not required.

Yes, complimentary wireless internet access is available at the Cato Institute and at the hotel.