MDLF Fellowship Class VIII Application - 2025

Applications are open from January 2, 2025 until 9 PM ET on February 21, 2025

Scroll down for more information on the Fellowship program, common FAQs, and to watch our recruitment video.

 

What is the MDLF Fellowship?

The MDLF Fellowship launched in 2016. Since its origins, this program continues to create a statewide network of change agents actively working to make Indiana the best place to build a future.

The Fellows identify, promote, and apply critical thinking and action to opportunities that will make Indiana a better place to work and live. The Fellows are given access to influential people, organizations, and resources to accelerate the state's progress on key growth initiatives.

Fellows are selected by the MDLF Board based on their demonstrated leadership as well as change-making and entrepreneurial spirit.

The Fellowship continues to benefit emerging Indiana leaders who demonstrate the following traits:

  • A genuine intellectual interest in the principles of individual liberty, personal responsibility and role of private enterprise.

  • Sufficient “real-world” experience to ensure they can meaningfully contribute to peer discussion and learnings.

  • On the career ascent and approaching an inflection point in their careers to be positioned to deliver outsized impact.

Year 1: ENABLE LEADERS

The first half of the Fellows program consists of a one-year curriculum that educates Indiana’s future leaders on the successes of the past and opportunities and challenges of the future. Areas of study include Indiana’s performance in healthcare, education, economic development, as well as civil society, free speech and leadership. Each topic is conducted over the course of three event types: lectures, Socratic-style discussion and MDLF case studies.

Year 2: DRIVE CHANGE

At the conclusion of Year 1, the current class of Fellows will each propose a project/initiative that they believe will measurably improve life in Indiana. We call these Capstones. This is an open-ended challenge, and Fellows are encouraged to be creative in both the problem and their proposed solution. However, they are instructed to follow one of Four Lanes:

  1. Level Up An Existing Initiative

  2. Start A New Initiative

  3. Craft and Propose A Policy Paper

  4. Engage in Public Service*

These Fellows then are granted one year to put their Capstone to the test - implementing it within their communities.

Continuing Involvement

In addition to our Year 1 and Year 2 events, MDLF hosts a variety of network-wide events including the Aiming Higher speaker series, the Annual Event, socials, and various other events. Alumni of the Fellowship continue to be a part of the MDLF Smart Network. Past Fellows may be (and are) included on MDLF’s Board of Directors, staff, and committees.

What does the time commitment look like?

In Year 1, Fellows are expected to attend one class-specific event each month - from 10:00 AM ET to 4:00 PM (usually ET). Locations vary each session as we strive to give Fellows an experience across the State of Indiana. Some examples of past locations include: Indianapolis, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Kokomo, West Lafayette and South Bend.

In Year 2, Fellows can expect four optional class-specific events during the year following the same timeframe as Year 1 events. It should be noted that Year 2 requires that Fellows spend time outside of formal MDLF Class Days to continue advancing their Capstones.

Please note, this is a highly competitive program and those selected to become Fellows are expected to attend all of our required classes. However, should an extenuating circumstance occur (e.g. serious illness, etc.) our absence policy allows (1) absence for every (6) month period. Please do not apply if you feel you cannot make the time commitment as Fellows who exceed this are dismissed from the program.

The following are the official dates for Class VIII:

Year 1 - Enable Leaders

5/9/2025 - 10:00 AM-4:00 PM: Class VIII Fellowship - Orientation [REQUIRED]

6/6/2025 - 10:00 AM-4:00 PM: Class VIII Fellowship - Economy Lecture

7/8/2025 - 10:00 AM-4:00 PM: Class VIII Fellowship - Economy Liberty Fund

8/8/2025 - 10:00 AM-4:00 PM: Class VIII Fellowship - Economy Case Study

9/5/2025 - 10:00 AM-4:00 PM: Class VIII Fellowship - Education Lecture

10/7/2025 - 10:00 AM-4:00 PM: Class VIII Fellowship - Education Liberty Fund

11/7/2025 - 10:00 AM-4:00 PM: Class VII Fellowship - Education Case Study Day

12/5/2025 - 10:00 AM-4:00 PM: Class VIII Fellowship - Civil Society Lecture

1/9/2026 - 10:00 AM-4:00 PM: Class VIII Fellowship - Health Lecture

2/3/2026 - 10:00 AM-4:00 PM: Class VIII Fellowship - Health Liberty Fund

3/6/2026 - 10:00 AM-4:00 PM: Class VIII Fellowship - Health Case Study

4/17/2026 - 9:00 AM-4:00 PM: Class VIII Fellowship - Capstone Day [REQUIRED]

Year 2 - Drive Change

TBD Q3: 2026

TBD Q4: 2026

TBD Q1: 2027

TBD Q1: 2027

What does the application look like?

The full list of application questions can be viewed at this link.

Applicants are encouraged to visit this link to view the application questions ahead of time as there is no option to save and return once you have begun the application.

The best advice one can give for the free response section of the application is this: be yourself. Be professional, but show a little character! Each person has interesting, unique perspectives and stories to tell, so share yours.

I’m ready. What next?

Great! We could not be more excited to learn more about who you are. Follow the link here to our application. Make sure you have everything ready (see the question above) and then hit submit. We will review all applications and notify everyone of the outcome by April 4, 2025.

General FAQs:

Is there a fee to apply or participate?

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, there is no fee for Fellows, or their employers, to participate.

Is MDLF politically affiliated?

No. Our organization is non-profit and non-partisan. We want to promote good ideas and smart people with diverse perspectives. Part of aiming higher is having an open mind. At the same time we seek applicants that share our core values - individual liberty, personal responsibility and the role of private enterprise.

Is there a minimum age to apply or an age limitation?

No. We are seeking professionals who are passionate about improving Indiana and can commit the necessary time required by the Fellowship. Fellows are usually between 25-45 years old.

Can I apply if I live outside of Indiana?

No. Fellows must be current residents of Indiana at the time of applying and for the duration of the First Year program.

Is there a stipend for travel to events?

No. Fellows are expected to make the necessary arrangements to attend each event. For events further than three hours of driving time, MDLF will expense one night hotel accommodations.

How is this program different from other leadership programs?

There are several great leadership programs in Indiana. The MDLF Fellowship program has a unique combination of statewide scope, in-depth education and real-world action via the Capstone that sets it apart.

Is the program associated with Purdue University, where Mitch Daniels was President?

No. The Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation is a 501(c)(3). Our Board and Fellows represent various colleges and universities in Indiana and throughout the nation.