Selection

Exploration Session Events

Are you interested in learning more about the Inspired Leadership Initiative? Our team periodically hosts Exploration Events (both in-person and virtual) for those interested in learning more about the ILI program. These sessions provide an in-depth overview of the the ILI program, covering the following elements:

Life as an ILI fellow and living at Notre Dame
Core Elements of the ILI program
Academic Engagement Opportunities
Community Engagement & Social Activities

Virtual Exploration Sessions

We will hold Virtual Exploration Sessions throughout the upcoming academic year via Zoom. These sessions are scheduled for the following dates:

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 - 2:30 pm-4:00 pm ET
Thursday, November 21, 2024 - 10:30 am-12:00 pm ET
Thursday, January 9, 2025 - 12:00 pm-1:30 pm ET
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 - 12:00 pm-1:30 pm ET

We invite you to register to attend an upcoming Virtual Exploration Session or request a recording from a previous session below.

Virtual Exploration Session Registration Request a recording of a previous event

In-Person Exploration Sessions

The ILI will hold an In-Person Exploration Session at the Notre Dame campus in Chicago on September 17 from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. CT. This session will be an opportunity to hear directly from, and engage with ILI leadership.

Prefer to visit us on Notre Dame's main campus? The ILI Leadership team will host a limited number of invited individuals for an In-Person Exploration Session on October 9-10 as part of our annual ILI Signature Event. This event will include the elements of other Exploration Sessions as well as an immersive opportunity to engage with ILI leadership, fellows, and alumni, as well as Notre Dame faculty and broader community members.

We encourage you to express your interest in attending either in-person Exploration Session by completing the 'In-Person Exploration Session Interest Form' below.

Please note: These events have limited capacity, so our team will reach out with an invitation if space permits.

In-Person Exploration Session Interest Form

ILI Fellow Selection Process

Candidate Profile and Considerations

We are seeking applications from accomplished individuals from a broad and diverse set of professional backgrounds who have completed careers of 20 years or more.

Please consider the following when contemplating your application:

Diversity of Backgrounds: An individual’s experience may be in any field from non-profit, business, family management, academics, and more. We will admit up to 30 individuals for the upcoming cohort.

Time Commitment: The program encompasses a full academic year at the University of Notre Dame campus. Fellows will have access to the academic and cultural life of the University community.

Community-Focused: We are seeking individuals — as well as their spouses or partners, if desired — that have a willingness to share their knowledge and experience with other program participants, students, faculty, and others within the community, as well as an openness to learn from others.

Social Impact Focused: Fellows should have a desire to become a greater force for good in the world while leveraging the knowledge and experience gained through the program.

Spouse/Partner Engagement: Spouses, life partners (and for select activities, invited guests) are welcome to participate in certain elements of ILI programming and are encouraged to do so to the degree that best suits each individual - from social participation, auditing two courses per semester, or to apply as a fellow themselves. If your spouse or partner would like to participate as a full fellow, a separate application must be completed.

Application Timeline and Process

The application for our 7th Cohort (2025-2026 academic year) will open on September 1, 2024. A link to the application will be available below on that date. Applications will be reviewed over the course of several rounds, which are outlined in the table below. We strongly encourage those interested in applying for the 7th Cohort to take advantage of the Early Admission round (Deadline of October 20, 2024).

Admissions Round	Application Deadline	Anticipated Interview Selection Notifications	Anticipated Decision Timeline
Early Admission \| Round 1	October 20, 2024	Mid-November	Mid-December
Round 2	January 18, 2025	Early February	Late March
Round 3	March 9, 2025	Mid-March	Late April
Rolling Admissions	Following the Round 3 deadline, we will continue to accept and review applications on a rolling basis.

Benefits of applying for the early admission round include:

Applicants can anticipate receiving a decision before the end of the calendar year; this will allow you time to plan ahead for this transition in your life.
Early admission provides you early access to the competitive rental housing market near the Notre Dame campus.

Considerations for International Applicants:

Due to the length and complexity of the VISA application process, which may require significant lead-time, we strongly encourage international applicants to apply during Early Admission, but no later than the Round 2 deadline. By applying early, you can help ensure your on-time arrival for the start of the program in August 2025.

Until the application is open, please click the link below to introduce yourself, and to speak with a member of our team to learn more about the ILI. Please contact our office at ili.admissions@nd.edu or (574) 631-8070 with any questions about the selection process.

Introduce Yourself

“After what I consider to be a successful business career and a busy twelve years in retirement, I felt like I needed a new challenge. I was confident that the ILI would fulfill that need and perhaps provide a pathway to my future endeavors. To return to college again after fifty-four years, and to take advantage of all that Notre Dame has to offer—academically, spiritually, culturally, and socially—was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

—Dave Kostolansky, ILI Fellow

“Looking for more than simply some kind of lifelong learning program to interest or challenge me in retirement, I was drawn to Notre Dame’s Inspired Leadership Initiative because it offered a rare opportunity to actually take the time—a year’s worth of time!—to discern my next vocation. Along with that gift, the ILI enkindled a new joy and an internal peace that comes with doing what one is called to do."

—Cindy Sescleifer, ILI Fellow