One of the premier programs of NCHL, the National Council on Administrative Fellowships (NCAF) is leading the way across the country to build the bridge between practice and academia. It is made up of fellowship sites and graduate health management programs that are working together to continuously improve early-career development opportunities for our next generation healthcare leaders. NCAF creates an industry standard in the recruitment for administrative fellows. In doing so, NCAF allows for a uniform and coordinated recruitment process, helps organizations access a national pipeline of the next generation of healthcare industry leaders, and brings fellowship sites and graduate health management programs together to share ideas and best practices. Herein are resources to support the students and prospective fellows who would like more information about fellowships and path to obtaining placement.
NCAF believes that the healthcare industry will benefit from better coordination across the field in the development and operation of fellowship programs. All members agree to abide by the guidelines of the NCAF Code of Good Practice, which includes upholding uniform application dates. The 2026 Code of Good Practice will release in late March 2026.
Students and prospective fellows interested in applying to a NCAF member fellowship site should utilize the the centralized application service (NAFCAS) to simplify their application process. NAFCAS is a one-stop-shop for administrative fellowship sites, applicants/students, and faculty/staff.
Dates for NCAF’s 2026 Recruitment Cycle are informed by NCHL research, common deadlines across the administrative fellowship site community, and feedback from fellowship sites, former applicants, and graduate program faculty. To learn more about the date selection process, view here.
The Uniform Application Administrative Fellowship Recruitment dates for 2026 are as follows:
– Application Opens: June 5, 2026
– Preliminary and First-Round Interviews can begin: August 24, 2026
– Application Deadline: September 10, 2026
– On-site and Final Interview Period: September 14 – October 1
– National Administrative Offer Week: October 2 – October 9**
– Final Offer Acceptance Deadline for Applicants: October 11
– Opt-in Recruitment Cycle 2 (Rolling): November 2 – January 29, 2027
**Applicants must respond within 48 hours of receiving an offer. During Offer Week (Oct 2 – Oct 9), responses from candidates are due 48 hours from receipt (e.g., an offer received Oct 9 → due Oct 11). No responses from candidates may extend beyond Oct 11 for Cycle 1.
NAFCAS is powered by Liaison International
The NCAF Fellowship Directory is an inclusive listing of all NCAF-member fellowship sites. Information is updated periodically. Students and fellows will find this information helpful when exploring options for administrative fellowship opportunities. If interested in applying to these administrative fellowships, students can access the NAFCAS here.