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.
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.
The NAFCAS 2025-2026 has two application cycles:
• NAFCAS Application Cycle 1 will run from Friday, June 6, 2025 through the last Friday in September (September 26, 2025)
• NAFCAS Application Cycle 2 will run from the third Monday in (November 24, 2025) through the last Monday in January (January 30, 2026)
2025 – 2026
• A uniform application deadline: Last Friday in September (Friday, September 26, 2025)
• NAFCAS Application Cycle 2 will run from the third Monday in (November 24, 2025) through the last Monday in January (January 30, 2026)
Note: Fellowships will remain open until the position is filled, which may occur before the cycle deadline.
• Once the application closes, fellowship sites are able to make formal, written offers as they choose.
• Once applicants receive an offer, they have ten (10) calendar days to accept the offer.
• Applicants that receive more than one offer have 24-hours to decide between them. If the original offer is selected, the ten (10) calendar days does not start over. If the newest offer is selected, the ten (10) calendar days restarts.
• Fellowships may elect to extend offers to alternate applicants after the ten (10) calendar day grace period.
• All offers should be made by fellowships by the end of October.
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.
