How much funding does Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) provide?

Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) provides Tuition: $445 (AIA Members) / $535 (Non-AIA Members). Tuition assistance available for small firm members. in funding.

Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP)

Houston Chapter American Institute

Foundation Annual Professional Development Grants Professional Development Grants for Teachers

Apply Now

Funding Amount

Tuition: $445 (AIA Members) / $535 (Non-AIA Members). Tuition assistance available for small firm members.

Deadline

June 30, 2026

84 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program

Overview: A year-long professional development program designed to train and nurture the next generation of architectural leaders. The program consists of nine individual half-day sessions plus a Boot Camp kickoff.

Geographic Scope: Houston metropolitan area (AIA Houston chapter)

Focus Areas:

Entrepreneurship and firm management

Teamwork and collaboration

Negotiating skills

Client development

Community leadership

Industry trends

Professional development

Eligibility:

Licensed architects or professionals pursuing licensure in the AEC industry

Within their first 20 years of professional experience

AIA Houston membership preferred but not mandatory; other allied organization members welcome

Competitive selection based on written application, recommendations, and resume

Selection Criteria:

Proven career success

Community involvement

Firm/agency support

Leadership potential

Commitment to professional development

Program Details:

16 selected scholars per cohort

Monthly sessions: 12:00pm – 5:00pm, September through May

Potential for up to 45 CEUs per academic year

Mandatory attendance required (one excused absence allowed with notice; two absences result in $50 fine; three absences result in expulsion)

Mandatory attendance at Boot Camp and Closing Reception

Agreement Form required with principal signature

Background: Beginning in 2013, the AIA|DC chapter created this program to develop next-generation leaders. Named in honor of Christopher Kelley, AIA, a respected DC architectural community leader and Gensler partner who passed away in May 2012. Christopher was honored with the AIA Young Architects Award in 2010.

Contact:

Chair: Belle Carroll, AIA

Vice-Chair: Jerel Gue

Past Chair: Norgerie Rivas, AIA

AIA Houston Liaison: Jennifer Ward | jennifer@aiahouston.org | 713-520-0155

Phone: +1 713 520 0155

Address: 902 Commerce St, Houston, TX 77002

How to Apply

Application Process

Call for Applications Opens: Monday, May 19, 2025

Application Deadline: Monday, June 30, 2025 at 11:59pm

Notification of Acceptance: Week of July 21, 2025

Q&A Sessions (Optional)

Wednesday, June 4 at 5:00pm via Zoom
Tuesday, June 10 at 12:00pm via Zoom
Committee representatives provide overview and answer questions
Attendance is NOT mandatory and holds no merit on acceptance
Recording will be posted for those unable to attend

Required Application Materials

All forms must be submitted via Submittable. Candidates must create a Submittable account if they do not have one.

1. Online Registration (Required)
- Submit via Submittable

2. Letter of Interest (Required)
- One page maximum
- Describe past experiences and interest in program
- Explain what you will contribute to the 2025-26 class
- PDF format only
- Naming convention: LastName-FirstName-Letter of Interest.pdf

3. Letters of Recommendation (Required)
- Minimum 1, maximum 3 letters
- One page maximum per letter
- PDF format only
- Naming convention: LastName-FirstName-Letter of Recommendation-#.pdf

4. Personal Resume (Required)
- Preferred: no more than 2 pages
- Include: education, employment history, organizational/activity involvement, honors and awards
- Recommended: include community involvement, industry involvement, volunteer work (not just firm projects)
- PDF format only
- Naming convention: LastName-FirstName-Resume.pdf

5. Agreement Form (Required)
- Completed and signed
- Must be signed by one principal of participant's firm/agency
- PDF format only
- Download from application page
- Naming convention: LastName-FirstName-Agreement.pdf

6. Tuition Assistance Form (Optional)
- For AIA Houston members only
- Dependent upon firm size
- Download from application page
- Naming convention: LastName-FirstName-Assistance.pdf

7. Supplementary Questions (Required)
- Completed within the online application
- Word limits apply to each question (intentional - be succinct)