The North Carolina Principal Fellows Commission is pleased to announce the approval of six-year grant funding for four principal preparation programs, advancing the state’s commitment to cultivating high-quality school leaders.
The selected institutions are:
- East Carolina University
- North Carolina Central University/North Carolina Regional Education Service Alliance
- NC State University
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The North Carolina Principal Fellows Program (NCPFP) received 11 applications for grants that will be funded from Fiscal Year 2026 to FY32. The state provides funding for up to eight principal preparation programs through a highly selective process that is designed to ensure the highest quality preparation for this corps of future school leaders. These four grantees join Appalachian State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Western Carolina University to complete the roster of eight institutional programs.
“We received an extraordinary set of applications, highlighting the rising caliber of leadership preparation programs across the state,” said Dr. Lauren Lampron, NCPFP director and chair of the NCPFP Commission. “NCPFP was designed to be competitive to elevate school leadership development and it is bearing out with each grant cycle. Each of the selected institutions will recruit, select, prepare and support an exceptional new generation of school leaders. No other state matches North Carolina’s commitment to its school leaders.”
In recognition of the need to expand support for exceptional programs that did not receive a grant but demonstrate a commitment to strive for excellence in leadership development, the NCPFP Commission also unanimously approved High Point University to receive a developmental grant. This grant is subject to the passage of proposed legislation that would establish up to one development grant for each application cycle.
“This new developmental grant aligns with the state’s mission to ensure every school is led by a well-prepared, effective principal,” Lampron said. “High Point University has demonstrated a strong commitment to preparing principals who are ready to lead and transform schools across North Carolina. By partnering with the General Assembly to award this developmental grant, North Carolina recognizes the competitive design of the NCPFP program while incentivizing continuous improvement among all applicants in each program cycle.”
About the North Carolina Principal Fellows Program
The North Carolina Principal Fellows Program (NCPFP) is a statewide initiative that invests in the preparation of high-quality school leaders through legislative funding and partnerships with universities and local school districts. By fostering innovation and excellence, the program supports the development of leaders who positively impact student achievement and school culture.
For more information about the North Carolina Principal Fellows Program, visit https://ncpfp.northcarolina.edu/.