Young Executive Leaders 2026

Here is everything you need to know about the YEL programme this year.

Important dates

  • For YEL2026, the application process opened on 6 January 2025 until 26 January (deadline extended until 30 January 22:00 CET for those applications started before 26 January at 22:00 CET and in progress).
  • Candidates selected for the 2026 programme were informed by early March.
  • Masterclasses will take place from end of March to October 2026 (usually around 2:30pm Central European Time).
  • Small group work with international peers in a special interest area, to produce a work item to be published between April and October.
  • Attendance at the 49th World Hospital Congress in Seoul (Korea) from 19 to 22 October 2026, including a special YEL workshop and graduation on 19 October.

Applicants completed an online form, submitted a full CV, and provided a letter of support from their workplace supervisor.

Things you should know about the YEL programme...

The ideal candidate

The ideal profile for a YEL participant is of a mid-career professional who:

  • Is working in hospital administration or healthcare services, either in a hospital, a hospital association or a ministry of health.
  • Is willing to develop their leadership skills while learning from international experiences.
  • Holds a leadership position within their organization or aspires to grow professionally to become better leader.
  • Has the support and approval of their supervisor/hospital leader/senior administrator to participate fully in the programme. You can find a template letter of support here.
  • Is up to 40 years of age (in the year of application).
  • Is affiliated to an IHF member organization.

By applying, and if selected to the programme, candidates commit to:

  • Work on, and be engaged in, the programme the amount of time needed to complete their tasks (The IHF estimates a participant will need to spend an average of 3 hours per week on YEL-related activities).
  • Actively contribute to their group work.
  • Attend the 49th World Hospital Congress in Seoul (Korea) from 19 to 22 October 2026, including a special YEL workshop and graduation on 19 October.
  • Upon successful completion of the programme, to become an active member of the YEL Alumni.

Want to know more about the programme?

Find out more about the experience in this interview with YEL 2024 participants Omaira Valencia and Kobus Jooste:

And tune in to the podcast from YEL Alumni Taylor Johanssen (YEL 2021), sat down with Moustafa Abdelwahab (YEL 2022), Hiba Al Naabi (YEL 2019), Jim Houser (YEL 2021) and Abel Tesfaye (YEL 2023) as they talk about their experience on how the programme helped them in their career journey.