Filene Research Institute is calling for applicants to participate in its i3 innovation program.
The program is a 24-month curriculum designed to generate groundbreaking new ideas and position participants to carry the torch for growth and innovation in the credit union market, Filene announced in a news release about the program Monday.
Candidates must be employed at a credit union in the United States or Canada in a role other than chief executive, and most of the candidates that are accepted work at the management or executive levels and are deemed a leader or future leaders in the credit union system.
Applications are being accepted at Filene's website through May 1. Approximately 40 applicants will be selected initially to participate in tryouts that will take place during two- to three-week cycles and are conducted virtually.
Selected applicants will be paired with an i3 alumnus and assigned a problem statement. Each team will be taught the basics of the Filene Method and will have to develop and pitch an innovative solution to the problem statement.
The top 16 performers will be welcomed to the 2016 Filene i3 class. Filene will announce the selected participants in August.
"Filene i3 brings the industry's brightest minds together and unleashes them to dream up, build, and test innovative solutions," Andrew Downin, managing director of innovation at Filene, said in a statement. "It is a fantastic opportunity for a credit union leader who wants to positively change the future of consumer finance."
