Details

Program Details

Each year, through a competitive application and selection process, 55 current and emerging leaders are invited to participate in LNC’s Core Program. Program sessions are held monthly from October through May in locations around the state.

The application period for LNC Class 33 (2025-2026) is now closed. Applications are currently being reviewed by our selection committee. Invitations will be extended to accepted candidates by early August.

The next application period, for Class 34 (2026-2027), will be open June 1 – June 24, 2026. A link to the online application will be available on this page while the application is open. Completed applications will be reviewed by our selection committee in July of 2026, and invitations to participate in Class 34 will be extended by early August 2026.

To learn more about LNC’s Core Program, please explore the links below. Complete the Interest Form to receive announcements about the application process and other LNC events and opportunities.

Virtual Information Session Recording

For more details about LNC’s Core Program, we encourage you to watch This Recording of a Virtual Info Session for Class 33 (2025-2026).

Details for Info Sessions leading up to the application period for Class 34 (2026-2027) will be posted here in Spring 2026.

The following are the links shared during the Spring 2025 Info Sessions. Note that there’s some overlap with the links listed elsewhere on this page.

Class 33 Schedule and Locations
LNC Core Program Overview
LNC Core Program Details
Class 33 Application Summary—review to be prepared when the application goes live
[[Archived]] Recommendation Letter Instructions and Submissions Form—this form is live and accepting submissions, you may go ahead and share it with your references now if you are confident that you will complete an application
Underrepresented Counties
Scholarship Opportunities

Interest Form for
Future Years

Schedule and Locations

100 County Initiative

Scholarship Opportunities

Selection Criteria

Each Leadership North Carolina class is made up of approximately 55 current and emerging leaders from across the state. Special effort is made to ensure that each class reflects the diversity of the state in terms of age, race, gender, geography, sector of employment, stage of career, and types of civic and community involvement.

Characteristics of a successful applicant include commitment, motivation, and interest in serving the state; demonstrated voluntary leadership in community affairs; desire and willingness to seek key volunteer and/or appointed leadership roles; an occupational commitment to remain in the state; and long-term commitment to playing a personal role in helping to shape North Carolina’s future.

Participants must have the full support of their employers, with approval for participation in accordance with LNC’s attendance protocols.

Program Fee

The program fee for Class 33 (2025-2026) is $7,000.* This fee covers all programming and session materials and meals during each session. Travel and lodging expenses are the responsibility of each class member. A limited number of partial scholarships are available. The program fee for Class 34 will be defined in Spring 2026.

*This is less than half of what it would be without generous corporate, foundation, and individual support.