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

Applications for the 2024-25 Union LEAD (Leadership Equity and Development) Scholarship for the Union Leadership Institute are currently open! For the last 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 our 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.

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 1, 2024.

The NYS AFL-CIO/Cornell Union Leadership Institute Schedule 2024-25

The dates for ULI 2024-25 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 21-26, 2024 (ILR Conference Center, Ithaca, NY)
Weekend 1: September 19-21, 2024 (Buffalo, NY)
Weekend 2: December 5-7, 2024 (Albany, NY)
Weekend 3: February 6-8, 2025 (ILR Conference Center, New York, NY)
Closing Week: May 4-9, 2025 (IBEW Training Center, Cutchogue, NY)