AE2025 is a ten-week cohort program to make an Applied Experiment: a functioning prototype of technology that enables people to exercise either care, self-control, inquisitiveness or a combination thereof.

Basically; projects that exemplify the APOSSIBLE mission and framework.

Each project is allocated a budget of $7,000 to cover time, materials, travel, external experts or whatever else is required. As long as it results in a project that others can experience (whether through installation, web or otherwise).

APOSSIBLE will also support and provide our expertise in psychology, research, documentation, marketing, positioning and other narrative elements of the project, where needed.

Submit your idea before August 15th, 2025 (we review on rolling basis).

The cohort runs from September 10 to November 12. You are expected to join the kick-off and final presentation as well as bi-weekly check-ins with the APOSSIBLE team.

During the program, we organize optional Open Studio Sessions where experts provide hands-on guidance on how to document, exhibit, and pitch your projects.

You keep the ownership rights to your project.

What we want to see

• Projects that offer interventions rather than mere analysis
• Actual functioning interactive projects people can use, experience or replicate
• Projects that fit our framework and uplift the human spirit or support creativity in some sense, rather than deaden us
• Projects that have a positive psychological outcome (beyond just happiness) — enabling us to exercise our care, self-control, inquisitiveness or a combination thereof
• Projects that are desirably "adjacent possible" or in the realm of lingering possible alternative future on the margins of the real. Better said, projects that show alternative possibilities that we actually want for ourselves and the world

What we don't want to see

• Projects about a human strength, putting the user in a state rather than helping exercise a trait
• Purely conceptual or imagined speculative projects
• Purely functional problem solvers and tools
• Psychologically negative projects — eg. addictive behavior, alienation, isolation, etc. Basically projects that enable a state, rather than a trait — and in the long run end up disabling our humaneness
• Slight alternatives that are still broadly the “normal" way of doing things. I.e. Mastodon is not enough of an alternative possibility to social media

Who is this for?

Anyone from anywhere in the world. The program can be seen as a support package to fulfill the potential of your idea outside of the pressure of speculation, clients or art systems.

What criteria do you use to judge the applications?

We are looking for projects that strengthen our human virtues and strengths and help exemplify our mission. It is important for us that you have the skills, experience, and knowledge to make the idea happen within the timeframe.

Can I use the budget to pay myself a salary?

You may allocate the money as you see fit as long as it results in a functioning working prototype or project that can be experienced by others whether that is through the web, a public display, installation, or otherwise.

What time commitment is expected?

You are expected to join the kick-off and final presentation as well as bi-weekly check-ins with the APOSSIBLE team (scheduled with participant's calendar in mind where possible). Other than that, the amount of hours dedicated to the project and program is up to you. We just expect you to be committed and able to achieve an end result that can be experienced by others, either as stand-alone prototype, app, interactive web project, public display, installation, etc.

Can I apply as a team?

Yes, you can both apply as an individual or as a team but the $7,000 budget is per project, not per person.

Who reviews the applications?

Our core team of Andrew Trousdale, Bryan Wolff, Jake Dow-Smith, and Kristoffer Tjalve. We might occasionally ask our network for references and feedback on ideas outside our knowledge sphere.

When can I expect a reply?

Depending on the number of applications, our reply might be short and sweet, but we'll review on a rolling basis. The sooner you submit, the sooner you'll hear back. The final deadline is 11.59 pm EST on August 14th and the latest reply would come by August 31st.

Can I apply for funding without being part of the cohort?

Yes. If you and your idea is convincing we may consider it to be supported outside of the cohort structure.

Who are you? Why do you do this?

Drawing from positive psychology, we believe that genuine human flourishing comes from exercising our strengths and virtues. Unfortunately, we often outsource our core virtues, like care, inquisitiveness, and self-control, to technology. Our Applied Experiments is our attempt at opening adjacent possibilities for how we create and relate to technology. Learn more about our mission and who we are.