Welcome! Congratulations on making the decision to apply to the 2027 New Leaders Council Institute Fellowship. We're so glad you're here! Here's what you can expect from this application process.

Details:

• Application Deadline: October 14th at 10:00 AM CT

• Application Fee: $50, paid at the end of this application

• Program Fee: $1,000, paid only if selected during Intake in December 2026

• Payment Options: Scholarships remain a core part of NLC's equity and accessibility commitments. Applicants can pay the fee in full during Intake, apply for a full or partial scholarship, enroll in a monthly payment plan through Affirm, or use an employer professional development stipend. No accepted applicant will be turned away for inability to pay.

To learn more about our NLC Institute, please visit newleaderscouncil.org/apply.

Application Sections

In section 1 of this application, we will collect your demographic information and professional background. This is important because NLC chapters across the country are searching for a class of Fellows across various identities, issues, and industries.

The questions in section 2 will gather deeper information about you and the issues you care about. NLC selections teams will be looking for candidates who align with our organizational values, show leadership in advancing progress in their communities, and an affinity for collaboration.

Section 3 will be scenario questions around three of our organizational values: community, accountability, and continuous growth. You may submit either written or video responses to these questions.

Section 4 covers the application fee, program fee, and financial support options.

This section will help us better understand your anticipated financial support needs, including whether you expect to pay in full, utilize a payment plan, or apply for a partial or full scholarship for the program fee.

If a chapter is not in the drop down menu, that means that chapter's application has closed or is not accepting new Fellows this Institute cycle at this time. If you have any questions, please email info@newleaderscouncil.org.

If you would like to prepare your responses before beginning the application - you can review the section 2 and 3 questions here.

Section 2A

Thanks for sharing your demographic information in section 1. In this section, tell us about yourself beyond the surface level.

In most fellowships it’s likely you would only share your resume, but at NLC we care about creating a diverse, inclusive, and dynamic fellowship that includes more than just your professional accomplishments. NLC believes that sharing your personal narrative is a practice of leadership. This section is divided into 2 parts. You may submit your responses in writing or as video recordings. If you are using videos, please take no more than 2 minutes per question to respond.

The format you select for responses will not impact your application score.

Section 2A.

Share your personal narrative. Some examples of topics you can discuss in your response are:

The people who have impacted your journey
The experiences and environments that have shaped your life
The ways you spend your time
The things that motivate you personally or professionally
Why you are excited to apply for NLC
**Let your answers flow naturally, your authenticity is what we're looking for.

You will also find 2 video demonstrations and 1 written demonstration below.

Example 1 - Ambar (Video)

Example 2 - Karen (Video)

Example 3 - Tim (Written)

My name is Tim, I am a Nebraskan living in New York City. When I was growing up, I didn't think this would be the place I would be living in, but thanks to my brother that always believed in me I pursued my passion for journalism. He not only helped me celebrate my victories but also showed me what empowering others through storytelling could look like. I wrote my first article about him and his passion for social justice, but I didn't stop there. Soon I was helping other championing change tell their stories too and sharing them with larger audiences. The cycle that started with my brother motivating one person, resulted in us creating a meaningful impact for other changemakers. I hope that by going through the NLC Institute, I can continue meeting more community leaders but also help tell the story of this era of leaders.

Thanks for sharing your personal narrative introduction with us. Now, we will go into a community issue that you are passionate about resolving.

Section 2B

If you are accepted into the New Leaders Council Fellowship, you will create a plan for a capstone project during the 6-month Institute. This plan will address a community issue or need you are passionate about.

While NLC doesn't expect you to start the Institute with a fully thought out plan, we do want to know one community issue you have contemplated and/ or devoted time and energy towards and what top 2 - 3 actions you would take to continue addressing it.

NLC selections committees are looking for specific responses that show your commitment to advancing progress and making positive change in your community.

You have arrived in section 3, the last section. Here you get the opportunity to respond to 3 scenario questions around three of our organizational values: community, accountability, and continuous growth. These questions aim to determine your fit for the 2027 New Leaders Council cohort.

As a reminder, NLC selections teams will be looking for candidates who align with our organizational values, show leadership in advancing progress in their communities, and an affinity for collaboration.

You may submit your responses in writing or as a video recording. If you are using a video recording, please take no more than 2 minutes per question to respond.

The format you select for responses will not impact your application score.

Valuing Community

Tell us about a time you valued community.

In your response include:

• What impact does community have on your leadership?
• In what ways have you been inclusive and collaborative with individuals from a variety of issues, industries, and identities. Give specific examples.

Valuing Accountability

Tell us about a time you valued accountability in yourself.

In your response include:

• What role does accountability play in your leadership?
• How do you hold yourself accountable to your commitments to others?

Valuing Continuous Growth

Tell us about a time you valued continuous growth.

In your response include:

• What are some ways you have incorporated continuous growth into your leadership journey?
• How have you supported and encouraged others in their growth?

Application Fee

There is a $50 application fee that is paid at the end of the application. To request a waiver code for the application fee, please email info@newleaderscouncil.org.

Program Cost

The cost of the NLC Institute program is $3,000 per Fellow.

Upon acceptance, every Fellow will receive a $2,000 sponsorship from New Leaders Council toward the cost of Institute. The remaining $1,000 program fee is the Fellow's responsibility.

Fellows may cover their $1,000 program fee by applying for a full or partial scholarship, paying the fee in full during intake in December, or enrolling in a monthly payment plan. Fellows may also apply employer professional development stipends.

Your selection below will not impact your application score and your selection will not be made available to the selections team.

Employer professional development stipends are also accepted, please email info@newleaderscouncil.org for more information.

 

Scholarship application and payment plan will be made available if selected for the Institute during the Intake process for Fellowship in December 2026.