The Funeral Service Foundation is proud to sponsor this leadership event.
About the Program
NFDA's National Emerging Leaders Program is designed to give talented people the tools, support and opportunities they need to succeed. The program is the strategic early-career leadership program designed to attract, develop and retain transformational leaders.
This program will provide graduates with skills and tools that they can use in their business, in their community, state and nationally. National Emerging Leaders Program participants will have the opportunity to mentor and network with other funeral service professionals and professionals outside of funeral service as they sharpen their skills.
Submission Cycle
- February 17 - April 15.
- All applicants will be notified of their status by the end of April.
Eligibility
- Open to NFDA members and non-members.
- Open to all early-career funeral professionals, licensed in the United States or Canada.
- First-career funeral directors licensed at least 3 years.
- Second-career funeral directors licensed at least 1 year.
- Full-time funeral home employment required.
Submission Requirements
Essay Questions
- Each candidate is required to answer all questions in no more than 250 words per question.
Video
- Each candidate is required to submit a brief video, no longer than two minutes.
Terms & Guidelines
- Online submissions only.
- Twenty participants will be selected.
- This year-long program for 20 select individuals will begin with a retreat at the NFDA Headquarters June 22 - 24, 2025 and end at a NFDA Leadership Conference in the summer of 2026.
- 2026 Leadership dates will be announced later this year.
- Participants will also meet virtually approximately seven times throughout the year to learn from experts, both from within the profession and outside authorities. Participants must attend all virtual sessions.
- The National Emerging Leadership Program requires an investment of $1,500.
- Investment includes:
- Retreat fees and the 2026 NFDA Leadership Conference.
- Approximately seven virtual sessions led by quality speakers and facilitator.
- Printed educational materials.
- CE hours.
- High-level networking with leaders in the funeral profession.
- And more.
- Participants will receive up to $500 in travel reimbursement (to help offset the costs of airfare, hotel & meals) for the 2025 retreat and 2026 Leadership Conference.
- Alternates may be selected in the event that a participant decides not to accept the program award.
- NFDA and the Funeral Service Foundation will only confirm receipt of completed applications and reserve the right to eliminate from consideration unsigned or incomplete applications without further notice to the applicant.
- Serious protracted illness or injury that would delay participation in the program may be considered reason for holding an award in reserve.
- Time limits and other restrictions may be set by NFDA's Board of Directors. Other leaves of absence will be considered on an individual basis.
- All award decisions of NFDA are final.
NFDA National Emerging Leaders Program Scholarship 2025-2026
The Funeral Service Foundation is proud to sponsor this leadership event.
About the Program
NFDA's National Emerging Leaders Program is designed to give talented people the tools, support and opportunities they need to succeed. The program is the strategic early-career leadership program designed to attract, develop and retain transformational leaders.
This program will provide graduates with skills and tools that they can use in their business, in their community, state and nationally. National Emerging Leaders Program participants will have the opportunity to mentor and network with other funeral service professionals and professionals outside of funeral service as they sharpen their skills.
Submission Cycle
- February 17 - April 15.
- All applicants will be notified of their status by the end of April.
Eligibility
- Open to NFDA members and non-members.
- Open to all early-career funeral professionals, licensed in the United States or Canada.
- First-career funeral directors licensed at least 3 years.
- Second-career funeral directors licensed at least 1 year.
- Full-time funeral home employment required.
Submission Requirements
Essay Questions
- Each candidate is required to answer all questions in no more than 250 words per question.
Video
- Each candidate is required to submit a brief video, no longer than two minutes.
Terms & Guidelines
- Online submissions only.
- Twenty participants will be selected.
- This year-long program for 20 select individuals will begin with a retreat at the NFDA Headquarters June 22 - 24, 2025 and end at a NFDA Leadership Conference in the summer of 2026.
- 2026 Leadership dates will be announced later this year.
- Participants will also meet virtually approximately seven times throughout the year to learn from experts, both from within the profession and outside authorities. Participants must attend all virtual sessions.
- The National Emerging Leadership Program requires an investment of $1,500.
- Investment includes:
- Retreat fees and the 2026 NFDA Leadership Conference.
- Approximately seven virtual sessions led by quality speakers and facilitator.
- Printed educational materials.
- CE hours.
- High-level networking with leaders in the funeral profession.
- And more.
- Participants will receive up to $500 in travel reimbursement (to help offset the costs of airfare, hotel & meals) for the 2025 retreat and 2026 Leadership Conference.
- Alternates may be selected in the event that a participant decides not to accept the program award.
- NFDA and the Funeral Service Foundation will only confirm receipt of completed applications and reserve the right to eliminate from consideration unsigned or incomplete applications without further notice to the applicant.
- Serious protracted illness or injury that would delay participation in the program may be considered reason for holding an award in reserve.
- Time limits and other restrictions may be set by NFDA's Board of Directors. Other leaves of absence will be considered on an individual basis.
- All award decisions of NFDA are final.