Applications Open: ELA Class of 2026

AIA Virginia announces call for applications for the 2026 Class of Emerging Leaders in Architecture (ELA): An Honors Academy of AIA Virginia. 

ELA is an intensive program of educational sessions structured around presentations, discussions, team exploration, analysis, consensus-building, collaboration, and case study activities undertaken over the course of a year by a small cadre of participants (16) selected for their potential to be outstanding contributors to the profession and the community. Along with the all alumni steering and executive committee, facilitators and mentors who are established leaders in the building, finance, non-profit, development, university, legal, consulting, and design professions and in the community at large develop and deliver the sessions, designed to provide participants with advanced knowledge and skills related to specific areas of leadership and practice.

The program consists of monthly, day-long seminars, work sessions, and class project presentations, culminating at a presentation at Architecture Exchange East in November.

The seminars are interactive, drawing on real examples and actively involving participants. They rotate among sites in Roanoke, Charlottesville, Richmond, Alexandria, and Norfolk in conjunction with the firms, schools, and the local AIA component in each area.

Full application and program details, click here.

INFORMATION AND APPLICATION for THe class of 2026

The class project for 2026 will be in Richmond, Virginia, so many sessions and the project workdays will be located in the Richmond area.

How to Apply The committee seeks applicants from three categories:

Component Nominees: Each of the five AIA Virginia local component Boards may nominate one or more individuals for admission to the program. One participant will be selected from each component for a total of five. If interested, please contact your local AIA chapter representative. Each chapter sets its own deadline and application requirements for these positions.

Student Nominees: Any student enrolled in an architecture degree program (UVA, VT, Hampton, WAAC, or JMU) may apply. A maximum of 2 student participants will be selected each year for the class.

Open Applications: Applicants may apply independently or be nominated by someone else. Participants will be selected from among these applicants to fill the class.

★ Component Nominee category due October 29th 2025.

★ All other application categories are due November 12th 2025.

Full application and program details, click here.