National Emerging Leaders Program
Submission Cycle
- February 17-April 30, 2026.
- Selected participants were notified mid-May.
Eligibility
- Open to NFDA members and non-members.
- Open to all early-career funeral professionals, licensed in the United States or Canada.
- First-career funeral directors licensed at least three years.
- Second-career funeral directors licensed at least one year.
- Full-time funeral home employment required.
Submission Requirements
- Essay Questions Each candidate is required to answer all questions in no more than 250 words per question.
- Video Each candidate is required to submit a brief video, no longer than two minutes.
Terms and Guidelines
- Online submissions only.
- Twenty participants will be selected for the program.
- This year-long program for 20 select individuals will begin with a retreat at the NFDA Headquarters June and end at the NFDA Leadership Conference.
- Participants will also meet virtually approximately seven times throughout the year to learn from experts, both from within the profession and outside authorities. Participants must attend all virtual sessions.
- The National Emerging Leadership Program requires an investment of $1,500 that includes:
- Retreat fees and the NFDA Leadership Conference.
- Approximately seven virtual sessions led by quality speakers and facilitator.
- Approximately seven virtual sessions led by quality speakers and facilitator.
- Printed educational materials.
- CE hours.
- High-level networking with leaders in the funeral profession.
- And more
- Participants will receive a travel reimbursement of up to $1000 each for both the retreat and Leadership Conference to help offset the costs of airfare, hotel and meals.
- Alternates may be selected in the event that a selected participant decides not to accept the program award.
- NFDA and the Funeral Service Foundation will only confirm receipt of completed applications and reserve the right to eliminate from consideration unsigned or incomplete applications without further notice to the applicant.
- Serious protracted illness or injury that would delay participation in the program may be considered reason for holding an award in reserve.
- Time limits and other restrictions may be set by NFDA’s Board of Directors. Other leaves of absence will be considered on an individual basis.
- All award decisions of NFDA are final.
Hear it from program participants!
