The Alliance of Future Makers program is designed to help leaders, innovators, and changemakers build the skills and strategies needed to navigate uncertainty and shape what comes next. Through hands-on practice, collaborative learning, and expert guidance, participants move beyond theory into real-world application—building future-ready solutions that drive impact.
| Fellows Track For Scholar-Practitioners driving change |
| BENEFITS • Build a shared foresight language and hands-on horizon-scanning skills. • Construct 2–3 future scenarios relevant to your institution and sector. • Translate trends into actionable projects and prototype new revenue models. • Present an innovation project at the Summit of Future Makers. • Join monthly working sessions (in-person/virtual) with a national peer cohort. WHO SHOULD JOIN |
As a member of the Fellows Cohort, you’ll focus on a clear set of learning objectives, including:
- Establish a Shared Language: Develop a common framework for futures thinking and strategic foresight.
- Horizon Scanning: Identify, analyze, and share emerging trends that will shape institutions and their ecosystems.
- Scenario Development: Construct 2–3 plausible scenarios relevant to the future of education/training and workforce systems.
- From Insight to Innovation: Translate trends and scenarios into actionable product or service concepts.
- Revenue Innovation: Prototype and test new models for sustainable revenue generation in your industry/sector.
- Institutional Readiness: Assess and strengthen institutional capabilities for innovation and future-readiness.
- Advanced Foresight Practice: Expand and apply a diverse toolkit of foresight methods for navigating change.
- Collective Action: Co-create shared projects and leverage the Alliance network to amplify impact.
- Showcase & Scale: Present prototypes, insights, and future-ready solutions to set the stage for the Spring in-person Innovation Hub gathering.
What to Expect as a Fellow
Joining the Alliance of Future Makers as a Fellow means stepping into an immersive, practice-driven experience that blends learning, collaboration, and real-world application. You’ll engage with peers and mentors, explore futures methods, and apply your insights to projects that matter—all while building a credential that signals your commitment to innovation and foresight. Here’s what you can expect:
- Attend monthly sessions (80% attendance required).
- All meetings are approximately 3 hrs and are available in-person and virtually.
- Members will complete an innovation project to present at the Summit.
Meeting Schedule
Meeting Details
- 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Virtual
- Kickoff Meeting
Meeting Details
- 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Virtual
Meeting Details
- 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Virtual
Meeting Details
- 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Virtual
Meeting Details
- 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Virtual
Meeting Details
- 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
- Virtual
Meeting Details
- 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Virtual
Meeting Details
- Two-Day Summit
- In-Person in Austin, TX
- April 29 & 30
Get Started
Explore your path today. By completing the application, you’ll help us understand your interests, expertise, and goals as we chart the best path forward: from starting here to getting there, together.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a deadline of August 14, 2026 for the 2026–2027 cohort.
Your application should include the following:
- Letter of Commitment from you, affirming your commitment to the meeting schedule and full participation in the AFM experience
- Application form
- Support letter from your supervisor, supporting your commitment to participate in AFM
Thank you for your interest in joining the AFM 2026–2027 cohort!
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