"Where Tomorrow’s Leaders Are Learning Today"

Thank you for considering the Institute of Political Leadership Fellows Program.  We welcome your application and look forward to reviewing your qualifications and interests.

The IOPL Fellows Program consists of ten (10) alternate weekends and involves seminars and hands-on activities and training that are currently held in Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh and Wilmington.  Times, dates, locations, and topics require some flexibility and are subject to change. Prospective applicants can review our current class schedule to become more familiar with our teaching schedule and session topics. Generally speaking, the Institute conducts a Spring class from February to June and a Fall class from August to December. Weekend sessions typically run from 4 - 9 pm on Friday and from 8:30 am to 3:30 or 4 pm on Saturday.

This application process involves several steps.  Please familiarize yourself with the process prior to beginning:

1) Acceptance of the terms and conditions set by the IOPL Fellows Program (completed online);

2) Part I - completion and submission of personal contact information (completed and submitted online);

3) Part II - completion and submission of essay style questions. The applicant will submit information in regard to background, professional development, interests in politics, political development and interest in the IOPL Fellows Program. Access to Part II is made available only after the successful completion and submission of Part I. The applicant will submit his/her Part II answers in electronic format. The Part II form will be supplied to the applicant in a text file (.RTF) that can be completed on any word processing software application. After download is completed, the supplied form can be completed on your own computer, where the applicant will be able to start, stop, and save the form as needed. Once Part II has been completed to the satisfaction of the applicant, it can be emailed to the address provided on the form in order to complete the application;

NOTE: IOPL urges interested individuals to complete the application process on line.  If this is not possible, we ask that you print the on-line forms, complete them, and mail them to our office (address provided on the application).  If you are unable to access the on-line application forms, please contact us and we will arrange to send you copies.

4) Upon receipt of a completed application, IOPL will notify the applicant;

5) Applicants can generally expect to be interviewed by IOPL as part of the application process. This interview will be arranged and scheduled by IOPL in consultation with the applicant.

Please be advised that the completion and submission of the application does not guarantee acceptance into the Fellows Program.

Fellows will provide their own transportation to and from the weekend sessions.  Fellows are responsible for the cost of their accommodations when staying outside of their home area. IOPL will arrange for a block of hotel rooms at each location and Fellows are encouraged to stay there. However, it is acceptable for Fellows to make alternative housing arrangements in the area. In addition to housing and travel costs, Fellows are also required to pay a one-time $250.00 fee to offset some of the costs of food provided to Fellows during the 10 weekend sessions.

It is the express goal of IOPL to make full Fellowships available to all Fellows so that financial considerations are not a factor either in the selection of Fellows for admission, or in the decisions by those selected to accept or decline admission.

Given the nature of the program and the financial commitment made by others to support each Fellow, successful completion of the IOPL Fellows Program depends upon your full attendance and involvement. If your schedule can not be arranged to make this commitment, please consider deferring your application until you are able to make this commitment.

Equal Opportunity Information - The policy of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Political Leadership prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, color, creed, national origin, political party or age. The information requested herein will in no way affect you as an applicant. Its sole use will be to see how well our recruitment efforts are reaching all segments of the population.