I am happy to announce that applications are now open for the CFM Foresight Scholarship, supporting participation in the Foresight Certificate program at the University of Houston, August 10-16, 2026. I highly recommend this course for anyone who would like to add foresight to their toolkit for leading, working in, or supporting the work of museums.

The 5-day, project-based, face-to-face program covers the basics of understanding, mapping, and influencing the future using a combination of lectures and small-group exercises. Participants are a diverse group, professionally, culturally and geographically, and typically include people working in industry, government, technology, and law enforcement as well as the nonprofit sector.  The scholarship covers tuition, housing, and a $1,100 stipend to cover travel and per diem.   

The recipient of this scholarship will be expected to participate in future CFM projects, seeking out examples of museum innovation, sharing their own thoughts on trends shaping our world and our field, and building bridges to other sectors.

If you’re intrigued by this opportunity, take a look at the curriculum, and read blog posts written by other museum graduates of the course—Joe Cavanaugh, Lisa Eriksen, Kate Burgess-Mac Intosh, and Nicole Ivy.  

I’ll be available to talk about the scholarship at AAM2026 in Philadelphia, at the AAM Resource Center in MuseumExpo. (General times: Thursday, May 21 and Friday, May 22, 9 – 10:30 am. Email me at emerritt (at) aam-us.org if you make an appointment or stop by the Resource Center to see if I am free.)

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must be:

• Currently work in a museum of any kind (using AAM’s broad definition that includes zoos, botanical gardens, art centers, historic houses, etc.), a museum-related business, or an ally institution (see below). If you are an independent consultant, a majority of your work must be with museums.
• Be a mid-career professional, having worked in the museum sector for 6 – 20 years.
• Be an individual member of the Alliance, or employee of a member organization: museum, industry partner, or ally (museum service organizations, professional training programs, colleges/universities, government agencies and other nonprofit organizations that work for the success of museums.).
• Be able to commit to the full certificate program, including all required pre-work, the full 5-day program, and completion of the post-program assignment.
• Commit to being involved in CFM projects, for example, writing about your experience in the course, subsequent project, and experiences implementing the training at their organization; serving as an advisor to future initiatives.
• Reside in the United States.

How to apply

Complete and submit the application form by COB May 29.

The application will be require the following attachments:

1) A condensed resume or cv (two page max)
2) A letter of support (one page max):

• If you work in a museum, business, or ally organization, this letter should be from a leader in your organization. If you are the CEO/director of a nonprofit, this can be from someone on your board of trustees. The letter should recommend you as an applicant and explain how the organization would make use of the knowledge you gain in this training.
• If you are a consultant, this letter should come from a recent museum client or colleague. This letter should recommend you as an applicant and explain how their organization might benefit from your ability to incorporate foresight into the services you provide. 

By helping more museum people complete this certificate course, the Alliance will increase our sector’s capacity to engage in deep and thoughtful strategic foresight. I look forward to welcoming a new graduate of the Houston Foresight Course into the futurist fold.

Warmest regards from the future,

Elizabeth Merritt, Vice President Strategic Foresight and Founding Director, Center for the Future of Museums, American Alliance of Museums