Appalachian Leadership Institute

The Appalachian Leadership Institute is a leadership training opportunity that equips Appalachian community leaders to use economic development as a tool to drive positive change.

Designed for people who live and/or work in Appalachia and are passionate about helping their communities thrive, the extensive leadership and economic development curriculum is developed by ARC in partnership with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; The Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs; Tuskegee University; and Collective Impact, LLC.

Applications for the Class of 2025-2026 of the Appalachian Leadership Institute will open in Spring 2025. Learn more about the application process by visiting the How to Apply page.

The Future of Appalachia

The current class of 40 fellows represent a spectrum of sectors, experiences, and communities from across Appalachia’s 13 states. Each fellow brings a unique perspective on Appalachia’s diverse economic developmental challenges and opportunities.

Meet the Class

2024-2025 Schedule

The all-inclusive, nine-month program runs from October-July and includes skill-building seminars and best practice reviews. The program includes field visits during six separate sessions across the Appalachian Region, followed by a capstone graduation event held in Washington, D.C. 

View the Schedule

Meet Our Partners

The Appalachian Leadership Institute is a comprehensive regional leadership training program developed by the Appalachian Regional Commission in partnership with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; The Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs; Tuskegee University; and Collective Impact, LLC.

Learn More

Application Information

Applications for the Class of 2025-2026 of the Appalachian Leadership Institute will open in Spring 2025. Information about the application process can be found here.

Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about the Appalachian Leadership Institute?

Find Out More

About the Program

The Appalachian Leadership Institute is an all-inclusive program – there is not cost to participants. From October to July, fellows meet for six skill-building seminars and conduct field visits across Appalachia, followed by a capstone graduation event held in Washington, D.C.

The Appalachian Leadership Institute is a close-knit program limited to 40 fellows each year, with participants from each of the 13 states in Appalachia. Fellows may be from the public, private, or non-profit sectors.

Following completion of the program, fellows will be better equipped to take positive action toward collaborative solutions to Appalachia’s greatest challenges. Fellows will learn to: 

  • Identify and implement strategies to strengthen their communities.
  • Collaborate with a network of leaders across Appalachia.
  • Recognize and utilize unique assets in their communities to build economic development plans.  
  • Appreciate the diversity and shared experiences of Appalachians.   

Appalachian Leadership Institute fellows recieve:

  • No-cost participation, including travel and lodging.
  • Appalachian Leadership Institute Certificate from the Appalachian Regional Commission and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
  • Access to a world class network of peers and other experts across Appalachia.

Contact Us

Contact us by phone at 202.884.7700 or via email at leadership@arc.gov.