Ready to Win
Ready to Win® is a unique two-track advanced campaign training for New Americans who want to run for office or serve as a senior level staff member on campaigns in the next two years.
During this “boot camp” style program, participants will gain the hands-on campaign skills needed to run and win, including how to develop a comprehensive campaign plan and build a sustainable community-based movement that fosters civic engagement and a commitment to voting.
Leading up to the in-person training, we will have five virtual sessions ranging from 75 minutes to 90 minutes depending on the session. These virtual sessions are integral to the training experience and build off of each other to complement what you’ll learn in person.
Applications for the 2026 Ready to Win® cohort are now OPEN. The in-person weekend will take place in New York City, New York during the August 28th weekend.
- Info session on Wednesday, May 6th at 7pm ET. Register here.
- Priority deadline on Tuesday, May 12th. Apply here.
- Final deadline on Tuesday, June 2nd. Apply here.
Once selected, participants are required to attend the following:
- Ready to Win® (Online Training Dates, weekly on Wednesdays): July 8th to August 12th, 2026
- Ready to Win® (In-Person Training Dates): August 28 – August 31, 2026
We offer two routes into our Ready to Win training:
- CANDIDATE TRACK
The Candidate Track at Ready to Win® prepares future candidates with media training, the opportunity to receive stump speech feedback, and strategies on how to best message to and connect with voters. This track also dives into fundraising and call time, preparing future candidates to make successful asks and determining their fundraising network. As a participant, you will have the opportunity to be in community with fellow candidates and campaign staffers as you start strategizing for your campaign with the support of other New American Leaders from across the country.
- CAMPAIGN LEADERSHIP TRACK
Our Campaign Leadership Track at Ready to Win® prepares future campaign staffers with exploring team management, identifying and engaging New American communities, and how to keep volunteers and supporters engaged. As a campaign leadership participant, you will learn about finance rules and compliance as well as field and fundraising strategies to help your candidate win. Ready to Win offers you the opportunity to step into a career in campaign management with the right skills and network.
Applications for the 2026 Ready to Win® cohort are now open. Please apply here!
Frequently Asked Questions
Registration costs $150 for selected participants and $400 for declared candidates.
All meals are provided during the training. There is no reimbursement for food or local travel during the training.
Hotel accommodations are provided for all non-declared participants that apply and are awarded the hotel scholarship. Please note that the hotel lodging is a SHARED room with another participant. Declared candidates will need to cover airfare and hotel accommodations on their own.
All things campaigns! Some unique modules NAL offers are how to run as a New American, how to expand the electorate during your campaign, and how to use your campaign as a tool to build a movement. All participants are immersed in a campaign simulation and build a campaign plan.
Everyone with an interest in public service is encouraged to apply. Preference will be given towards those with a New American background (anyone who identifies closely with the immigrant experience), and those from marginalized communities.
*If you have previously attended Ready to Win® or have been a New American Fellow, you are not eligible to apply.
Participants will be in one of two tracks: the Candidate Track or the Campaign Leadership Track. Some sessions are offered to both tracks, while others are specifically tailored to the Candidate Track and Campaign Leadership Track. All participants go through a campaign simulation. In campaign teams, participants put their learnings into practice and develop a campaign plan. In advance to the in-person training, both tracks will participate in five virtual sessions.
The virtual sessions are hosted on Zoom. The virtual sessions will serve to build the foundation necessary for the in-person sessions and campaign simulation.
Yes. The virtual sessions are mandatory attendance. If you are unable to join a session, you are required to view the recording ahead of the in-person training. These virtual sessions are an integral part of the training experience; they build off of each other and complement what you will learn in person.
The time commitment for Ready to Win® includes:
- Attending weekly, online Wednesdays sessions from July 8th to August 12th, 2026
- An in-person training session in New York City, New York from August 28th to August 31st.
We are committed to making Ready to Win® as inclusive as possible. Please explain in your application if you need any special accommodations during this training. Our team will be in touch with you for more information.
To ensure we can meet everyone’s needs, please share any dietary restrictions or preferences in advance of the training.
Note: While we’ll do our best to accommodate last-minute requests, we may not be able to do so if you do not disclose any dietary restrictions during the application process. By providing this information, you acknowledge this and agree to take personal caution
If you have registered for Ready To Win® but can no longer attend, NAL is not able to provide a refund. However, if you want to request to participate in a different Ready to Lead® or Ready To Win® training, you may use your registration fee for that training.