2025 - 2026 Fellowship for Talent Development Applications Open

Chambers of commerce are increasingly tasked to mobilize efforts to improve the cradle-to-career talent pipeline in their communities. The ACCE Foundation has opened the application for the 11th cohort of its Fellowship program to help chambers take the first step or deepen their impact in workforce development.  

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. 
  • 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. 

UPDATE as of 8/11/2025: Applications are due Friday, August 15, by 12 a.m. Midnight PT. Applicants will be notified of their status by August 29 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  

UPDATED as of 8/11/2025. All times are in Eastern Standard Time unless otherwise noted. 

  • Aug. 15, 12 a.m. Midnight Pacific Time: Applications due 
  • Aug. 29: Deadline the Foundation will notify applicants of their application status 
  • Sept. 30, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.: Fellowship Kick Off and Systems Change Review webinar 
  • Oct. 21, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.: Collecting and Interpreting Data about Local Talent Development Ecosystem webinar 
  • Nov. 13 -14 in Alexandria, Va. The convening will start at 9:00 a.m. on Nov. 13 and end at 1:00 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, 12:00 – 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, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.: Sustaining Community Impact Initiatives webinar
  • Feb. 27, 5 p.m. Pacific Time: 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 in Charleston, S.C., March 25-27. 

Apply here by Friday, August 15. Contact Rumsha at [email protected] with any questions.

Program Overview

The ACCE Foundation's Fellowship program is designed for chamber professionals of any experience level or expertise seeking to create a measurable impact in their community. Fellows leave the program with a regional action plan to address a community-wide education and talent development challenge. Past fellowships focused on economic recovery, inclusive economic growth and economic mobility. 

The Fellowship program has served 216 chamber professionals since it began in 2014. Fellowship alumni have went on to work in other chambers, economic development organizations, government agencies or nonprofits in adjacent fields.