FAQ | Next Generation Leaders Fellowship

The subject, size and scale of your proposed project is up to you. Several project areas that may impact your organization include:

• Redesigning care delivery
• Improving quality and outcomes
• Managing risk and offering new payment models
• Implementing operational solutions
• Supporting the workforce
• Creating age-friendly health systems
• Improving access to care

You will have the chance to work with a mentor to scale your project according to your organization’s resources.

All applications are due by March 31, 2026, 5 p.m. CT.

Once your application has been received with all required application materials, an application is considered complete and the review process begins. Applications are reviewed by a panel of American Hospital Association executives. Applicants will be notified via email sent to their current email address on file from nextgen@aha.org by May 2026.

Applicants will be notified via email sent to their current email address on file from nextgen@aha.org by May 2026.

The fee for the program is $13,995. However, it does not cover travel and expenses for in-person events and any other additional expenses incurred during the program.

Gain valuable insights from former fellows on how to secure buy-in for your participation in the program—watch the video to learn their expert tips!

In order to hold your spot in the program, AHA requires your tuition to be paid in full by May 22, 2026 to maintain your spot in the program. If payment is not made in full by that date, AHA reserves the right to refund all payments made to date, and make your spot available to another participant.

Tuition Payment

Your tuition of $13,995 must be paid fully by May 22, 2026 to maintain your spot in the program. If payment is not made in full by that date, AHA reserves the right to make your spot available to another participant.

Cancellation and Refunds

If you cancel your enrollment prior to program start:

• 30 days or more: You will be refunded 50% of the tuition fee
• Less than 30 days: No refund issued

Your cancellation request must be made in writing to nextgen@aha.org. One fellow may be substituted for another pending a new application and acceptance into the program.

Should you cancel after the program start, no refund will be issued.

This is a competitive fellowship program for health care leaders who are accomplished in their careers and expected to rise to the top of their fields in the next five to ten years. They are leading (or on the verge of leading) transformation efforts at department, organization, enterprise and/or system levels. The program aims to select a cohort of leaders who bring diverse perspectives and experiences from a variety of settings: clinical, strategy and operational backgrounds with a strong foundation in quality, safety, affordability and are looking to expand skills to effect change at their organization. Therefore, a limited number of applicants will be accepted into each fellowship class. Although applicants will be accepted from non AHA-member organizations, preference will be given to AHA member organization-employed applicants.

Yes. Attendance to the kick-off and closing events is required. The kick-off will take place in Chicago at the AHA offices on June 22-23, 2026. The closing event will take place in conjunction at AHA Leadership Summit July 18-20, 2027 in San Diego. Fellows will be given discounted registration rates should they wish to attend the entire conference.

Each Fellow will be paired with a senior health care leader who has demonstrated expertise in the area of focus for the project the applicant selected.

By attending the the Next Gen Fellowship program offered by AHA participants may earn up to 15 ACHE Qualified Education Hours toward initial certification or recertification of the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) designation.

Scholarship applicants will be notified via email sent to their current email address on file from nextgen@aha.org by May 2026.

The John A. Hartford Foundation Scholarship – Supports Age-Friendly Fellows in the Next Generation Leaders Fellowship. Applicants should have a capstone project that implements one or more elements of the 4Ms Framework (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility) within their organization.

The Richard J. Umbdenstock Next Generation Leadership Scholarship – Honors Rich Umbdenstock’s legacy of advancing health care leadership. Applicants should be emerging leaders from AHA member organizations or state hospital associations with a capstone project focused on improving access to care.

To apply for the scholarship, please complete the fellowship application. All applicants will use the same application form. Within the form, you’ll find specific questions asking whether you are applying for a scholarship; please pay close attention to these.

As you complete your application, keep the scholarship requirements in mind related to your capstone project narrative:

• For The John A. Hartford Scholarship, ensure your responses reflect the 4Ms framework.
• For the Richard J. Umbdenstock Scholarship, focus on strategies that improve access to care.

The scholarship covers fees for the program year: $13,995. However, it does not cover travel expenses for in-person meetings and any other additional expenses incurred during the program.

Mentor obligations include the following:

• Guide their fellow through two distinct program phases: project planning and project execution. During these phases of the program you are expected to meet with your fellow on a monthly basis, and discuss your fellow’s project in great detail.
• The phases of the program are supported by monthly virtual learning experiences called Solution Sprints that fellows can attend and participate in to gain more knowledge on real-world health care challenges. Mentors participation in these learning experiences is optional.
• Strongly recommend attending the kick-off event in Chicago on June 22-23, 2026 to meet your fellow.
• Coach your fellow on the design and execution of their capstone project aimed at solving a specific challenge for their organization along with their leadership development goals.
• Overall, dedicate 1-3 hours of time on this program per-month.

• Meet virtually with fellow monthly
• Engage in our online platform
• Strongly Encouraged: Attend the kick-off event in Chicago on June 22-23, 2026
• Optional: Attend monthly Solution Sprints (Virtual)
• Optional: Organize for fellow to do a mentor site visit
• Optional: Attend the Closing Event on July 18-20, 2027 in San Diego at the AHA Leadership Summit

Yes, mentors will receive a $1,000 honorarium for their participation in the program and to help offset travel costs.