This elite program provides up-and-coming leaders with the tools they need to achieve success in the apple industry, including hands-on experience with legislative and regulatory issues, professional development, a one-on-one mentorship program, opportunities to network with top industry leaders, team-building with peers, and much more.
Eligibility:
- Emerging apple leaders who are at the start of their career through age 39 are eligible to participate.
- Must serve the apple industry in some capacity (i.e. growing, shipping, packing, marketing, retailing, procurement, etc.)
- Former NextGen/Young Apple Leader participants are not eligible.
How to Apply:
- Applications are now open for the Class of 2026! The deadline is April 17, 2026.
- Submit 1 letter of recommendation from an industry, community, or academic leader.
- Submit 1 short video telling us about yourself, why you want to be a NextGen Fellow, and what you’re hoping to learn. 60-90 seconds, selfie style is fine. (Can send via Dropbox link, Google Drive, or text, if too large to email).
- Send all of the materials to NextGen@usapple.org and include your name, title, company, cell phone, and address.
Key Dates:
- The Program will run from June 2026 through March 2027.
- April 17, 2026: Application materials are due and should be sent to NextGen@usapple.org.
- April 20-May 1: Virtual interviews are held.
- May 11: Fellows announced.
Mandatory Travel Includes:
- USApple’s Outlook Conference, in Chicago, August 19-21, 2026
- USApple’s Capitol Hill Day in Washington, D.C., March 2027 (exact dates TBD).
Tuition: USApple covers all costs of the program outside of airfare/travel. Participants are responsible for their own airfare and travel (baggage, airport parking and meals, taxi to airport, etc). USApple covers hotels, on-site meals and travel, and all programming registration and activities. It is the expectation that participants’ employers cover their airfare/travel.
What is Expected:
- NextGen Fellows are expected to actively participate every month (virtually) and in-person 2 times.
- Each Fellow produces a video for USApple’s social media (#FreshPicks series) and is expected to be active on USApple’s social media channels.
- Fellows must work together on a class project, outside of monthly virtual sessions.
- They are also expected to take time to meet with their mentors and to work on a few professional development “assignments.”
- Every Fellow is expected to be prepared, on-time, and professional throughout each session.
Any questions? Email Lynsee Gibbons lgibbons@usapple.org.
