The sixth NCAA Division II FAR Advanced Leadership Institute will be held October 2-4, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The purpose of the Division II FAR Advanced Leadership Institute is to expand and continue the education of Division II FAR Fellows through an intensive and interactive process designed to further enhance their leadership skills. Through in-depth discussions with other Division II FAR leaders, FAR Fellows participating in the Institute will be able to build on their individual duties as FARs and increase the visibility of the FAR role, while also creating an expanded network of professionals representing the voice of Division II FARs and developing tools and resources that may be used by the Division II membership.

Participants gain

• Expanded education in areas central to the FAR role within Division II.
• Enhanced leadership skills through intensive and interactive programming.
• Opportunities to build on individual responsibilities as FARs at the campus and conference levels.
• Greater visibility for the FAR role within institutional and conference governance structures.
• An expanded network of Division II FAR colleagues and leaders.
• Practical tools and resources to support FAR work within the Division II membership.

Program Structure

The Division II FAR Advanced Leadership Institute is a three-day, in-person program for Division II FAR Fellows who are prepared to deepen their leadership impact on campus, within their conferences and across the division. The Institute uses an intensive and highly interactive format that emphasizes peer learning and collaborative problem solving.

Over the course of the Institute, FAR Fellows will:

• Engage in intensive discussions with other Division II FAR leaders on issues affecting the student-athlete experience.
• Explore strategies to elevate the visibility and effectiveness of the FAR role.
• Collaborate on the development of tools and resources that can be shared with the Division II membership.
• Strengthen connections within a growing network of Division II FAR professionals.

Eligibility

Participation in the Division II FAR Advanced Leadership Institute is intended for current NCAA Division II FAR Fellows who are ready to deepen their leadership impact on campus, within their conferences and across the division. Interested FAR Fellows should review the Division II FAR Advanced Leadership Institute Criteria and Desired Outcomes document.

Minimum requirements

• Be a current NCAA Division II FAR Fellow.
• Meet the eligibility and qualification standards described in the Nominations Criteria and Desired Outcomes document.
• Apply through the Division II FAR Advanced Leadership Institute Nomination Form.
• Have a Statement of Endorsement completed by the conference commissioner.
• Be able to attend the full program October 2-4, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Selection considerations

• Demonstrated engagement and leadership as a FAR on campus and within the conference.
• Interest in further developing leadership skills to support the Division II student-athlete experience.
• Ability to share and apply lessons learned within the institution and conference.
• Other factors identified in the Criteria and Desired Outcomes document.

Program Impact

The Division II FAR Advanced Leadership Institute is designed to positively impact both individual FAR Fellows and the broader Division II FAR community.

For Division II FAR Fellows, the Institute supports:

• Increased confidence in leading on issues affecting the Division II student-athlete experience.
• Greater clarity regarding the FAR’s role within institutional and conference governance.
• Enhanced skills in communication, collaboration and advocacy.
• Access to a sustained network of FAR colleagues for ongoing support and idea sharing.

For the Division II membership, the Institute contributes to:

• Elevated visibility and engagement of FARs across Division II institutions and conferences.
• More consistent integration of FAR perspectives in decision-making that impacts student-athletes.
• Shared tools and resources that can be adapted by conferences and institutions.
• A stronger collective voice for Division II FARs within the Association.

How to Apply

FAR Fellows interested in participating in the 2026 Division II FAR Advanced Leadership Institute should first review the Criteria and Desired Outcomes document for more information regarding eligibility and qualifications. Eligible FAR Fellows must then complete the Division II FAR Advanced Leadership Institute Application Form. To complete the application process, each conference commissioner is requested to submit a Statement of Endorsement for the nominee.

The deadline for nominations is March 1, 2026. It is anticipated that the FAR Fellows selected for the Institute will be announced in March 2026. Expenses for the selected FAR Fellows to attend the Institute will be covered by a special NCAA Division II grant for this project.