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ULI Minnesota: Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDI) 2026 Application
Interested in joining our 2026 REDI cohort?
REDI has a competitive application process which is open from October 13, 2025 and closes on November 13, 2025 at 5:00PM CST. Visit the REDI website to learn more!
What does the program cost and what are the benefits?
Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and funders, we’re excited to offer the REDI program at an exceptional value of just $500 per person, payable upon acceptance. There are a limited number of partial scholarships available. This investment in REDI provides access to an array of benefits, including:
- Comprehensive curriculum covering the full lifecycle of real estate development.
- Personalized mentorship and coaching from experienced industry professionals.
- Hands-on learning experience through a group project developing a full proposal based on a real-world case study.
- Course textbook ($49.95 value) to support your learning.
- ULI Learning’s Real Estate 101 Certificate Course ($1,340 value) to deepen your foundational knowledge.
- Complimentary one-year membership to ULI ($540 value), offering access to a network of over 550 Minnesota members across diverse real estate fields.
- Exclusive connection to our network of over 200+ REDI alumni and allied professionals spanning all sectors of real estate.
- Opportunity to earn up to *10 hours of MN Dept. of Commerce Real Estate CE credits. *Pending application submission and approval
- Insights and knowledge from expert speakers and mentors while expanding your professional network: Priceless!
What is the time commitment?
- Sessions run from January 20, 2026 - June 9, 2026
- REDI consists of 12 in-person sessions which will take place every other Tuesday from 1:30-4:30 PM, hosted at Centennial Lakes Office Park in Edina.
- Additional time outside of class is expected to successfully complete individual readings and group work activities.
Who Should Apply?
- This program is open to professionals of color and women working in real estate and land use industries.
- Early to mid-career professionals interested in expanding their understanding of real estate development, those with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and/or those interested in becoming a Developer or Owner of projects.
- Because this course is not taught at entry level, the ideal participant should have at least 2-4 years of experience in real estate or a related industry.
- Exceptions to these guidelines may be considered for applicants that demonstrate an applicable community role, high level of motivation, and a higher level of real estate knowledge and experience through their personal essay and recommendation letters.
Admission Process
- REDI 2026 competitive application is open from October 13, 2025, through November 13, 2025 at 5:00PM CST. Applicants will be notified of selection decisions by mid-December 2025.
- REDI cohorts are usually between 24-30 people and the final number is based on having 3-4 balanced “development teams” within the course.
- Selection of participants joining our next REDI cohort will be based on level of relevant experience (resume), commitment and desire to participate in the program (personal essay), and letters of reference. All complete applications are reviewed by our local REDI Steering Committee. This selection process is competitive, and not everyone who is qualified is accepted.
- Application: Including the three attachments noted below, the application takes about 20-30 minutes to complete and consists of basic contact and demographic information, an overview of experience level and various aspects of commercial real estate development, and a commitment to program requirements.
- Personal Essay: Upload a 1-page document explaining what you hope to gain by completing the REDI program and how you will apply what you'll learn to your career.
- Professional Resume: Upload a 1-page document that provides a detailed overview of your education, work history, and related experiences in real estate and land use.
- Letters of Recommendation: Upload 1-2 letters of recommendation (1 page each) from individuals who have strong knowledge of your abilities and interest in real estate development. If you are employed full-time, one of your letters must be from your supervisor stating that they will support your participation and allow the classes to be a priority.
Please contact us at [email protected] if you have specific questions not answered on this site.