How to Apply

We have high standards for our participants and acceptance into the program is competitive. We evaluate applications based on numerous criteria to ensure that individuals selected will actively engage with the program.

Applicants should be a Senior Executive Service member (SES) or an equivalent to apply.

Completed applications must include your personal information, professional experience and objectives, and supervisor approval form.

You do not need to complete the application in one session. You can save it and return to it later, noting that some agency’s firewalls prevent application save functions.

Please note, many agencies have specific application guidelines for their employees. Before submitting your application, please make sure that you are following your agency’s internal guidelines and that you have permission from your agency’s leadership to participate in this program.

If you have further questions, please see the FAQ section.

We have engaged more than 500 federal senior executives from over 50 agencies. 

“The sessions provided valuable lessons to navigate through the complex federal bureaucracy to implement solutions.”

—Former participant

Program Overview

Participants have the option to attend the full AI Federal Leadership program either in person or virtually. Both formats will be delivered by highly experienced executive coach facilitators who use research-supported methods to help participants learn and expand their skill sets. The program’s cohort-based structure is essential to our goal of prioritizing learning. We ask that applicants make the choice to attend either in-person or virtually so we can create cohorts accordingly and allow groups to remain together for the duration of the program.  

Please note that participants will not be permitted to switch between attendance formats during the program. Applicants who live in the Washington, D.C., metro area are highly encouraged to join the in-person program, as out-of-state applicants are prioritized for acceptance to the virtual cohorts. 

Program Structure

• Cohort-based learning: Participants are placed in cohorts of 25-30 government leaders led by an experienced executive coach.   

• Sessions: The program consists of six half-day sessions presented monthly over the course of six months. Each session is three hours long, with all in-person cohort sessions held from 9 a.m. to noon EST and virtual cohort sessions held from 1 to 4 p.m. EST Select in-person sessions are followed by an optional but encouraged one-hour networking lunch. The program also includes a one-hour virtual orientation session. Virtual participation will take place via Zoom for Government. 

• Office Hours: In between select sessions, the program offers virtual office hours with subject matter experts and cohort coaches conducted via Zoom for Government. This provides space for participants to ask more technical questions, discuss their progress and stay connected.   

Program Components

• Pre-work and resources: Each session comes with limited assigned pre-work (an article, video, etc.) and encouraged optional resources to set you up for success in session. 

• Spotlight speakers: Most sessions feature a presentation from a guest speaker with expertise on that day’s topic.  

• Applied use case project: Participants apply their learning to real-world business challenges at their agencies and develop an actionable roadmap for leading change via an AI solution. 

• Networking: Throughout the program, participants can develop working relationships with peers across government. By joining a community of leaders from different agencies, participants learn from and with like-minded individuals who are working to drive innovation.  

Program Dates

Executive Coaches

Once accepted into the program, each participant will be assigned to a cohort led by an executive coach.

Our executive coaching team is dedicated to helping participants reach their leadership goals. Our coaches possess a common set of core qualifications and bring a diverse set of backgrounds, global perspectives and training styles to the AI Federal Leadership Program. Many are former federal leaders from a wide variety of agencies, and all have extensive experience in executive leadership coaching, organizational development, and training and facilitation in the public sector.

“I really appreciated being a part of the AI Federal Leadership Cohort. I learned a lot from the exposure to the topic and loved the insight I gained from experts and other federal executive colleagues about the relevant issues involved in developing AI projects and products. I am grateful for the investment made to convene us and ignite conversations about possibilities.”

—Former participant

FAQs