Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program

Developing Leadership Skills Since 2007

Apply now for the Class of 2026

We are currently accepting applications for the Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program Class of 2026. Follow the link below to learn about the program requirements and submit your application by December 8, 2025.

Learn more & apply

The Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program begins with a fun filled and energetic two weeks of training, mentoring and networking that will help you develop your leadership skills, discover your purpose, and prepare for your bright future. And that’s just the beginning: you’ll return to campus with a life-saving mission of organizing Red Cross blood drives for your classmates and community!

Through the Collegiate Leadership Program, you’ll become part of a special tradition of young people who work with the Red Cross to:

Inspire a new generation of Red Cross volunteers and leaders
Champion a philanthropic cause
Impact local communities
Empower through training, mentoring and networking opportunities
Foster leadership opportunities

Front of Red Cross National Headquarters building.

Program Benefits

Participating students will receive:

A $3,000 scholarship
A two-week training at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington D.C.
- Program dates: June 2-13 2026 (travel June 1 & 14)
Roundtrip transportation to Washington D.C., room, board, and stipend
An opportunity to make a significant impact on your campus and community through organizing successful blood drives that help save lives

Participant Commitments

Participating students must agree to:

Attend the Red Cross Collegiate Leadership training in Washington D.C., for two weeks in June
- Program dates: June 2-13 2026 (travel June 1 & 14)
Organize and market Red Cross blood drives/activities on campus
Serve throughout the remainder of your academic years
Identify a successor on campus to continue blood drives after the program participant graduates

Participating Institutions must agree to support and recognize the student if he/she decides to form a Red Cross Club on campus.

BEFORE you fill out the application, please carefully read and consider all of the questions. You can only submit a complete application so please make sure you have everything you need before applying.

As part of the application process, you and your school will need to sign the Student Leader Agreement Form. Before proceeding with the application, please first print out and have the appropriate people sign and fully agree to this document so that you can upload it as part of your application. Applications submitted without signatures will not be accepted.
You will also need to upload an unofficial transcript and a resume.
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS December 8, 2025

Selection Process

All applications will be reviewed by the American Red Cross and students will be selected for phone interviews. The Red Cross will notify students who are accepted to the Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program by January 2026.

Please note: Only one student per school will be accepted into the program.

A Life-Saving Purpose

Our program participants embrace a mission that has helped tens of thousands of people in their time of need.

Icon of gray circle around red building.

+154

campuses have participated in the program and sponsor
blood drives

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+199,400

pints of blood have been donated

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+3,400

blood drives have been organized by program participants

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Approx. $441K

in scholarships awarded

The Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program engages students in a national initiative to help save lives through blood collection on college campuses.

Meet Our Alumni

From 2007 through today, the Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program has attracted high-caliber students from all over the U.S.

Group of people holding letters that spell out "I give blood will you?" in front of US Capitol building.

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Class of 2019

Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program class of 2017 students group photo.

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The Class of 2017 - Samantha Davenport, Ryan Heinser, Michelle Henry, Jensyn Meyer, Emily Morgan, Gabriella Pedroza, Jenna Roux, Larissa Tate, Carolina Velez, Jose Ventura, Sophia Weisbruch, Kelly Workman

Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program class of 2017 students group photo outside.

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The Class of 2017 having fun on a walking tour of Washington, D.C

Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program class of 2016 students group photo outside.

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The Class of 2016 - Left to right: Nathan Lane, Reise Wyatt, Brenda Feasby, Pablo Ripodas Laquidain, Samantha Carr, Hannah Moody, Bailei Brown, McKenna Barkus, Jennifer Johnson, Brooke Runyon*, Mackenzie Burnworth, Helen Taylor, Lauren Van Horn, Brian Hamil

*Congratulations to Brooke, who won a 2017 "Women Helping Women" award from Indiana University for her work with the Red Cross.

Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program class of 2016 students group photo by Washington Monument .

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The class of 2016 enjoyed exploring Washington DC.

Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program class of 2015 holding letters that spell out "I give blood will you?".

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The Class of 2015 - Sarah Barris, Sonja Bilden, Sidney Bosley, Katarina Frickleton, Che’Ron Lewis, Alex Lunneborg, Jordan Mathison, Paul ”PJ” Peterson, Eric Smith, Randi Sturtz, Natassja Thomas, and Kylie Townsley.

Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program class of 2014 group photo.

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The Class of 2014 - Kelley Cohron, Ysen “Tico” Dalipi, Kayla Day, Jerica Drago, Nicole Gill, Haylie Gutierrez, Ja’Keisha Haynes, Megan Mosiniak, Bryan Palmer, Kaitlin Pontikes, Madalyn Smith, Zachary Sollie, and Julia Tyree.

Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program class of 2014 group photo with Red Cross CEO Gail McGovern.

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The Class of 2014 meets with Red Cross CEO Gail McGovern

Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program class of 2013 holding papers with their first name.

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The Class of 2013 - Sara Allen, Samantha Bryant, Karleigh Creighton, Cheyenne Eisenhour, Audrey Eisentrout, Connor Hausauer, Tiffani Marshall, Karli Myers, Tyler Nance, Brittany Rooze, Savannah Stigers, and Jamie Zimmerer.

Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program class of 2013 group photo of them jumping with their hands up in front of the US Capitol building.

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The Class of 2013 shows their enthusiasm about visiting the US Capitol.

Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program class of 2012 holding letters that spell out "Red Cross I NAIA Collegiate Leadership Program Class of 2012".

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The Class of 2012 - Zach Aldrich, Tamara Bates, Aaron Back, Derek Gross, Taylor Hosna, Hannah Husmann, Kate Kendall, Molly Knight, Emily Koch, Konner McIntire, Alec Meddings, Clayton O’Neill, Kamari Palmer, Jacob Simmonds, and Baily Tom.