Apply for the Union Leadership Equity and Development (LEAD) Scholarship

For more than 20 years, the New York State AFL-CIO and Cornell University have co-sponsored the Union Leadership Institute (ULI). Hundreds of prospective leaders from local unions throughout the state have gone through the program with many progressing to leadership positions within their respective unions.

As part of its commitment to fostering equity in our movement and ensuring that leadership is a true reflection of its membership, the New York State AFL-CIO Social Justice Task Force and Executive Council created the Union LEAD Scholarship for prospective union leaders from diverse backgrounds who are interested in attending ULI.

Any union member in good standing is welcome to apply. Union LEAD Scholars are selected by Union Leadership Institute faculty based on completion of this application and the final essay question. 

The application deadline is May 22, 2026.

The NYS AFL-CIO/Cornell Union Leadership Institute Schedule for 2026-27

The dates for ULI 2026-27 are listed below. Program participants are expected to attend all of the sessions in their entirety in order to graduate from the program.

Opening Week: July 12-17, 2026 (Cornell University, Ithaca, NY)
Session 2: October 14-16, 2026 (Albany, NY)
Session 3: February 8-10, 2027 (ILR Conference Center, New York, NY)
Closing Week: May 2-7, 2027 (IBEW Training Center, Cutchogue, NY)