The Best RFP Training and Certifications for Proposal Professionals

If there ever was a year for professional development, 2026 is it. 

According to Loopio’s latest RFP Careers & Salaries Report, the ceiling for the profession is officially rising: 39% of proposal professionals were promoted in the last year. This isn’t just a minor trend–it’s a signal that organizations recognize the value of proposal management. 

But as the path to leadership opens up, the bar is also rising. 

Moving into that top 39% requires more than just surviving the next deadline; it requires a specialized skill set that meets the high-tech, high-stakes demands of 2026. From successfully implementing AI workflows to leading compliant bid strategies, the most successful pros will be those who intentionally trade busy work for mastery.

Below, we’ve curated a list of the best online courses for RFP training and certification that will help you accelerate your career trajectory this year. 

Let’s get into it.

Emerging Proposal Skills to Master in 2026

Before we list off specific courses, let’s talk about intention. In a field as fast-paced as bid management, it’s easy to fall into the trap of reactive learning–like taking a crash course on prompt engineering just to speed up your first drafts.

But this approach rarely moves the needle on your career. To land that next promotion, you must upskill with purpose, focusing on the high-value skills that are actually in demand. 

We’ve filtered these programs based on the specific competencies that will draw higher earnings and C-suite attention, benchmarked against Loopio’s RFP Trends Report. 

Here are the emerging proposal skills to master in 2026:

1. Change management: Since 44% of teams plan to invest in new technology (like AI RFP software), the biggest bottleneck won’t be the initial setup, it’ll be adoption. Professionals who can guide teams through process shifts and reduce tool fatigue will be the ones tapped for leadership.
2. AI orchestration: With 70% of RFP responders using AI weekly, basic generation is no longer a differentiator. In 2026, being a diligent human-in-the-loop will be essential for demonstrating that you can manage AI response workflows while ensuring the output is compliant and strategically sound. 
3. Reviewing proposals: Price is consistently the #1 reason for losing bids, but it’s often a symptom of poor value articulation. This year, RFP professionals who learn how to review proposals for quality will break this cycle. Plus, make sure AI-generated responses don’t just meet requirements–they win marks. 
4. Proposal foundations: AI adoption has surged, yet RFP win rates have held steady. This proves that while tools improve the baseline, the human touch still wins the deal. Persuasive storytelling and client empathy are unique to humans—and in 2026, these skills will be a competitive edge in a tech-saturated market. 

Which RFP courses will help you develop these skills? Here’s the official list.

Best RFP Training and Certifications in 2026

Skill	Recommended Course	Your 2026 Career Edge
Change management	RFP Academy: Mastering Change Management in the Age of AI	Lead teams through significant RFP process changes
AI orchestration	Shipley AI 2026	Leverage AI in the bid and proposal development lifecycle
Value articulation	Proposal Reviewing and Scoring	Overcome the common pitfalls of proposal reviewing.
Proposal foundations	APMP Foundations Course by Strategic Proposals	Strengthen knowledge and earn a global RFP credential

1. RFP Academy: Mastering Change Management in the Age of AI

Best for proposal managers moving to proposal directors.

In 2020, Loopio launched its inaugural RFP Academy course with the goal of empowering proposal professionals to do their best work. Six years and 6,000+ students later, RFP Academy returns with a new curriculum. This time, we’re shifting the focus from elevating the response process to transforming it at an organizational level. 

This course moves beyond workflow mechanics to teach the art of change management. It provides a framework for those tasked with scaling a proposal team, overhauling legacy processes, or implementing AI and RFP software. You’ll learn how to win over leadership, inspire teams to embrace new habits, and ensure that process improvements actually stick.

• What does it include? Seven self-paced lessons led by industry experts from Weber Associates, OneAdvanced, and Loopio. Plus, practical assignments using interactive tools like a change readiness scorecard.
• How much does it cost? The course is 100% free (provided by Loopio).
• When can I take this course? It’s available online for a limitless time, with courses delivered directly to your email so you can complete them at your convenience. 
• How will it help your proposal career? You’ll develop the people leadership skills necessary to execute organizational change without disrupting the bid cycle. 
• Does it offer certification? Yes, you’ll receive a certificate to share on your LinkedIn profile after passing the final quiz.

2. Shipley AI 2026

Best for proposal writers moving to proposal managers.

For decades, Shipley Associates has set the standard for how proposals are developed, managed, and won. The Shipley Methodology is so pervasive that it serves as the baseline for most Fortune 500 bid departments and forms the core of the APMP body of knowledge. 

In 2026, the legend has evolved to pair its timeless strategy with AI automation. In this instructor-led intensive, you’ll master the Shipley AI Chat Formula, create AI projects with persistent knowledge bases, and build reusable agents that automate manual bid tasks.

• What does it include? Hands-on exercises and demonstrations in M365 Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. 
• How much does it cost? It costs $999 USD, but offers a $100 discount code if you register 30 days before the start of the workshop.
• When can I take this course? It’s available online or live in-person with workshops happening now and running through the end of March 2026.
• How will it help your proposal career? You’ll develop the skills necessary to manage AI-driven response workflows beyond using AI for proposal first drafts. 
• Does it offer certification? Yes, you’ll receive a certificate to share on your LinkedIn profile, plus one elective unit toward official Shipley Certification.

3. Proposal Reviewing and Scoring

Best for proposal specialists moving to proposal writers. 

BidCraft Academy has built a reputation as the industry’s finishing school for high-performance bidding. They have spent years translating decades of front-line experience into a curriculum that prioritizes practical application over abstract theory.

While many courses focus on how to write proposals, BidCraft focuses on how to judge them. In this course, you’ll learn how to score your own drafts through the eyes of an evaluator, ensuring your value proposition is actually earning the marks needed to win.

• What does it include? Downloadable tools for immediate impact, and a “Reality Check” guide to help you implement the learning within your specific organization.
• How much does it cost? It costs £180 (approx. $230 USD).
• When can I take this course? It’s available online which you can take at your own pace. There are 16 lessons and a total of 2.5 hours of video content.
• How will it help your proposal career? It builds the critical eye necessary to deconstruct a proposal like an evaluator for better results from red team reviews. 
• Does it offer certification? Yes, you’ll receive a certificate after course completion.

4. APMP Foundations Course by Strategic Proposals

Best for entry-level proposal professionals. 

Strategic Proposals is an accredited training organization for APMP with fifteen years of experience and a consistently-high pass rate. Over 2,500 candidates have achieved APMP certification, thanks to the thorough training and feedback from their team of experts. 

In this course, Strategic Proposals will diligently prepare you to ace the 75-question exam. This globally recognized certification proves you’ve mastered the timeless principles of winning business—and it pays. 54% of top earners in the field are Foundation certified.

• What does it include? You’ll receive comprehensive study materials that lead you through the syllabus for APMP Foundation (Version 4).
• How much does it cost? It costs $599 USD, not including the APMP exam fee. 
• When can I take this course? Online courses are spread over two sessions running throughout the year, so watch for upcoming course dates. 
• How will it help your proposal career? It’s your official entry into the profession. You’ll also gain the technical authority to lead enterprise responses, command a higher salary, and position yourself for senior roles that require APMP credentials.
• Does it offer certification? Yes, you’ll receive the Foundation Level (CF APMP) designation after passing the final exam.

Turn 2026 Into Your Career’s Biggest Win

Your career trajectory is now yours to design. Whether you’re mastering the nuances of change management or formalizing your expertise with a global credential, remember that every hour spent in mastery is an investment in your future leadership. 

Proposal skills will continue to evolve, but the authority you build today through intentional learning will remain your greatest competitive advantage. Choose your path, claim your expertise, and let 2026 be the year your career hits its new peak.