Program News
Applications open for Presidential Leadership Scholars Class of 2027
Megan Dutra
George W. Bush Presidential Center
Ben Thielemier
Clinton Foundation
Presidential Leadership Scholars
A unique opportunity to learn from the presidential experiences of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson and join a like-minded network of leaders
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Megan Dutra, 214-200-4348, mdutra@bushcenter.org
Contact: Ben Thielemier, 501-748-0422, bthielemier@clintonfoundation.org
May 11, 2026 – The Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) program opened applications for its 2027 program cycle. PLS brings together selected leaders from across all sectors and backgrounds who are committed to solving today’s most pressing issues and to exploring leadership through the lens of former presidents George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson. The application period for the Class of 2027, the 12th class in program history, isopen through July 19, 2026, at midnight CT.
Those selected for the Class of 2027 will participate in a six-month program during which they will deepen and strengthen their own leadership through interactions and sessions with former administration officials, business executives, and leading academics. Scholars will gain the insights and skills necessary to work across differences while developing a unique network that spans traditional geographic, professional, political, and economic boundaries.
"PLS exceeded my every expectation,” said Tracy Dufault, senior vice president, Strategic Initiatives, Disaster Relief at Walmart and a member of the PLS Class of 2025. “I joined to broaden my perspective among a diverse, vetted group of collaborative leaders, but I walked away with something far more profound: lifelong friendships and teammates who prioritize collective success over competition. In a world where diversity is often used to divide, PLS demonstrates how to weave those differences into a powerful web of connection to achieve meaningful, real-world outcomes."
Scholars put their learning into action as they develop and implement a personal leadership project, intended to solve a problem or pressing issue in their community, organization, country, or the world.
Alumni of the highly selective PLS program include veterans, corporate professionals, physicians, educators, public servants, and nonprofit leaders at the forefront of their fields who all have one thing in common – a desire to make a positive impact by putting leadership into practice. Scholars are working on NASA’s Artemis mission to return humans to the moon, fighting back against human trafficking, addressing the workforce crisis in trade industries, increasing opportunities to educate children on the basics of civics, and reducing emergency response times.
Since PLS launched in 2015, over 600 Scholars have participated in the program, building a strong, robust, and active alumni network across the United States.
Scholars agree that PLS has had a measurable impact on their leadership: 91% of alumni report that PLS has strengthened their leadership skills and 85% report that the program improved their ability to consider diverse perspectives when making decisions. Read more about the program’s decade of impact here.
Program tuition, accommodations, meals, and travel to and from host cities are fully funded by the program.
To apply for the PLS Class of 2027, visit https://www.presidentialleadershipscholars.org/apply/.
View program photos at the PLS Flickr account.
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About Presidential Leadership Scholars
Presidential Leadership Scholars is a partnership among the presidential centers of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson. To learn more, visit www.presidentialleadershipscholars.org. For updates about the Presidential Leadership Scholars, use #PLScholars and follow @PLSprogram on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.