JOIN LEONINE

APPLY FOR THE FIRST-YEAR FELLOWSHIP

Apply for the First-Year Fellowship and begin your journey with the Leonine Forum network. 

Through careful study and conversation guided by some of the foremost Catholic thought-leaders in the country, Leonine Fellows acquire the spiritual and professional tools necessary to integrate the truths of the faith into all aspects of their lives. 

APPLICATION CYCLE

CHICAGO

Applications are now open.

Sessions run October 2026 – June 2027

LOS ANGELES
DALLAS • DENVER

Applications are now open.

Sessions run January 2027 – December 2027 
*Summer recess July – August

Chicago, IL

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Applications due August 31, 2026

APPLY

Dallas, TX

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Applications due November 2, 2026

APPLY

Denver, CO

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Applications due November 2, 2026

APPLY

Los Angeles, CA

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Applications due November 2, 2026

APPLY

Washington, DC

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Applications will reopen in Spring 2027

APPLY

New York City, NY

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Applications will reopen in Spring 2027

APPLY

ENGAGE LEONINE

If you fall outside the Leonine applicant demographic, but are interested in other opportunities to engage with the Leonine Forum, you can contact our team here.

Contact Us

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

No. The Leonine Forum exists to equip the emerging generation of leaders in the core tenets of the Catholic Church’s social teachings. While our curriculum is intentionally rooted in the Catholic faith and intellectual tradition, we are open to Fellows of various faith backgrounds committed to understanding the Catholic Church more deeply.

Applicants require a minimum of 3 years of professional and/or graduate school experience. In previous cohorts, most Fellows have had 7-10 years of work or graduate school experience before joining the Leonine Forum.

Yes. When spouses apply in the same year, they are accepted or declined together.  Spouses of Fellows who do not apply are welcome to attend all programming opportunities outside the First-Year Fellowship.

The emphasis on community building, and the frequency of events, requires participants to live within a commuting distance from Leonine Chapters.

There is a healthy culture of re-applies in the Leonine Forum. While there is no guarantee of acceptance, those who have shown continued interest in Leonine will receive additional consideration, especially when the new application demonstrates clear indications of professional and/or personal growth.

Applications consist of a cover letter, resume, 1-3 letters of recommendation, and a brief video to be submitted by each applicant.

The ideal letter of recommendation comes from a respected source who can speak to your professional achievement and personal character. Another current applicant should not be a recommender. Your recommender does not need to be Catholic, as long as he or she can speak well to your professional achievements and personal character.

No.

At present, and with gratitude to the generosity of our benefactors, there is no required cost to join the Leonine Forum. We do invite Fellows to participate in the growing community of Leonine alumni committed to the long-term viability of our mission through monthly or annual donations. 

First-Year Fellows meet approximately one evening per month. The timeline and designated meeting day vary depending on your chapter’s location:

October – June Schedule

Washington, DC: Wednesdays

New York City & Chicago: Thursdays

January – December Schedule (includes a recess in July & August)

Dallas: Tuesdays

Los Angeles: Wednesdays

Denver: Thursdays

*Subject to change.

Mass/Adoration
Reception & Conversation
Lecture and Q&A
Dinner & Discussion

Priority will be given to applicants who intend in good faith to make it to at least 80% of the events (missing no more than two). The Leonine Forum is built on the community of Fellows, and when one is missing, the whole group feels it.

In the weeks leading up to each session, Fellows will be given readings (40-80 pages) consisting of papal encyclicals, selections from books and articles, and portions of the Catechism. Tolle Lege!

God will know.

No! Once a Fellow, always a Fellow. Upon joining Leonine all Fellows enter the national network and will find ample opportunities for continued engagement beyond the First-Year Fellowship. 

Leonine Fellows join a large local community and an active national network of Alumni with ongoing opportunities to be formed and to serve as virtuous leaders. There will typically be a Leonine Alumni event every month ranging from happy hours, lectures, and exclusive access to premier seminars, dinners, and more.

Let us know by contacting us here.

Contact us here.