The Summer Honors Program at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) is an intensive, fully-funded educational and professional development opportunity for top undergraduate students. Situated in the heart of Washington, DC, this program provides participants the opportunity to connect with the ideas, research, and network of AEI–one of America’s preeminent policy think tanks. This will occur during an intensive one-week seminar led by an AEI scholar or partner instructor.
The program assembles a diverse cohort of students from a wide range of ideological perspectives to engage in substantive dialogue and debate about the most pressing issues facing the country and world. The core feature of the program is a series of discussion-based seminars that offer participants forums to delve deeply into policy areas of their choice. Outside of the seminars, students participate in briefings with distinguished guests, high-level networking opportunities, and site visits in Washington.
The program aims to provide students with a deeper understanding of contemporary public policy challenges, a greater appreciation for substantive dialogue across ideological divides, and the knowledge and networks to pursue a future career in the policy world.
Location: Washington, DC
Dates: Students participate in a one-week course in Summer 2026.
Funding: This is a fully-funded program. Participants will receive: reimbursement for travel to DC, housing, a $250 stipend, and lunch and dinner on most class days.
Class Size: 12-18 students per class
Eligibility: Current undergraduates and recent graduates (winter 2025 or later). International students are eligible to apply. Previous Summer Honors Program participants and current graduate students are not eligible.
Early Decision Deadline: February 1, 2026. For those interested in the Summer Honors Academy (see more details below), priority will be given to candidates who apply by the early decision deadline. We strongly recommend submitting your application by that date.
Application Deadline: March 15, 2026. Letters of recommendation should be submitted no more than seven calendar days after the deadline. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage students to apply early.
