Future Builders Academy Application
About the Program
See OSE Curriculum for a description of our 4 year immersion program.
OSE Future Builders Academy - Application Process
We’re excited that you’re considering joining the first cohort of 24 future builders. Admission is selective because the program is intensive, collaborative, and designed to stretch you across many domains of learning. The steps below are meant both to evaluate you and to give you an authentic taste of what the program is about.
Step 1 – Video of Interest (VOI)
Create a 5-minute introduction video and publish it on a video-sharing platform. This is your chance to show us who you are.
In your video, please:
- Introduce yourself – name and location (city/state).
- Share what resonates with you – What is the most compelling aspect of our program for you, in your own words?
- Tell us why you’re a fit – What qualities, experiences, or mindset make you a strong candidate for our first 24-person collaborative design-build cohort?
- Your proudest achievement – What accomplishment are you most proud of so far?
- Your learning curve – How long do you think it would take you to become functionally proficient in 20 trades (enough to help build a Seed Eco-Home in 5 days with your cohort)? Share your reasoning — or if you don’t know, what information would you need to make an informed estimate?
- Commitment & support – How much time can you commit on site? Can you pay tuition, or would you need work-study earnings to participate?
When your VOI is ready, submit the link using our application form.
Step 2 – Written Application
This written portion takes about one hour. We’ll send you instructions once we receive your VOI.
Step 3 – Interview
You’ll join a 30-minute remote video interview. No prep needed — we want to see you think on your feet. A follow-up may be scheduled if more clarity is needed.
Step 4 – Build Test
You’ll construct a 4×9 ft wall panel using the same framing system as our Seed Eco-Home. We’ll send you blueprints after your written application.
Your task:
- Source the correct lumber and OSB.
- Build the panel (hand tools or power tools are both acceptable).
- Record a time-lapse video of your process.
We’ll evaluate:
- Build effectiveness & quality.
- Documentation skills (video, photos, notes, data).
- Ability to follow instructions and source materials.
- Attention to detail.
This isn’t just a test — it mirrors the type of documentation and learning-through-building you’ll do in the program.
Step 5 – On-Site Interview (Swarm Build)
You’ll bring your panel to our campus and join a 24-person crew build day. If you’re flying, you can ship your panel — OSE will cover half your travel expenses and refund the full cost of the panel once it arrives.
On site, you will:
- Work alongside the cohort on a small but meaningful facility build.
- Participate in collaborative problem-solving around logistics — a key part of our large-scale builds.
- Experience swarm build dynamics firsthand.
We practice what we teach: meaningful work from day one, full immersion, and collaborative performance.
Our Evaluation
We’ll be looking at your ability to:
- Communicate clearly.
- Document your process.
- Build effectively.
- Collaborate and problem-solve in a swarm.
We’re investing heavily in your learning environment — in return, we expect full effort, openness, and a drive to expand what’s possible.
Our philosophy is competency-based pay: as you learn, document, and take on more responsibility, you will rise in both responsibility and earnings. Everyone, including instructors, participates in this open, experimental approach to building knowledge and practice together.
That’s it. If you make it through the process, you’ll know you’re ready for the intensity of the program — and we’ll know we’ve found someone who can contribute to building a new civilization model with us.