Applications Open for Fellowship for Talent Development

As chambers of commerce are increasingly tasked to mobilize efforts to improve their community's cradle-to-career talent pipeline, the ACCE Foundation presents an opportunity to help them take the first step or deepen their impact in workforce development. Applications are now open for the 11th cohort of the ACCE Foundation's Fellowship program.  

The Fellowship for Talent Development will help chamber professionals understand their local talent development ecosystem and how they can strengthen the talent pipeline through systems change and programmatic efforts. Fellows will then create a regional action plan that addresses a talent challenge in their community. Under the guidance of the ACCE Foundation, they will measure impact through qualitative and quantitative indicators. By the end of the six-month program, Fellows will be better positioned to support communities adapting to the new realities of work.  

The Fellowship runs from Sept. 2025 – March 2026. Fellows will: 

• Participate in monthly webinars and check-ins. 
• Create a roadmap to implement strategies that address a talent development challenge in the community. Read about past plans in this Chamber Executive article or watch videos here on YouTube. 
• Attend a convening in Alexandria, Va. from Nov. 13-14. The ACCE Foundation will cover the cost of two nights at the convening hotel. Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided. 

Applications are due Friday, August 8 by 5 p.m. PT. Applicants will be notified of their status by August 22 and are required to pay a $1,500 program deposit by Sept. 10. Fellows who successfully complete the program will receive a $500 refund in March 2026. There is space in the application to indicate if a scholarship is needed to waive the full program deposit. Scholarship recipients must pay a $500 program deposit that will be refunded upon program completion in March 2026. 

Important Dates  

All times are in Eastern Standard Time unless otherwise noted. 

• Aug. 8, 5 p.m. PT: Applications due 
• Aug. 22: Deadline the Foundation will notify applicants of their application status 
• Sept. 30, 12-2 p.m.: Fellowship Kick Off and Systems Change Review webinar 
• Oct. 21, 12=2 p.m.: Collecting and Interpreting Data about Local Talent Development Ecosystem webinar 
• Nov. 13 -14 in Alexandria, Va. The convening will start at 9 a.m. on Nov. 13 and end at 1 p.m. on Nov. 14. There are no evening activities planned for Nov. 13, so feel free to explore Alexandria or D.C. 
• Dec. 9, 12-1:30 p.m.: Creating the Regional Action Plan webinar
• Between Dec. 10-Jan. 27: Fellows will schedule one-on-one check-ins with Foundation staff to discuss draft regional goals, key performance indicators and action plan. 
• Jan. 27, 12-1:30 p.m.: Sustaining Community Impact Initiatives webinar
• Feb. 27, 5 p.m. PT: Deadline to submit Regional Action Plan  
• March 3, 12-1 p.m. ET: Fellowship Graduation. Fellows will also be recognized at the 2026 Education and Talent Convening (dates and location TBD).