10 Free Leadership Summer Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Oct 26, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Feb 4
High school is the perfect time to explore leadership roles, especially through summer programs, when you’re free from your regular academic responsibilities. Leadership is an important skill to have, whether you're interested in STEM, social justice, entrepreneurship, or other fields.
The programs in this list are fully funded, and they offer early exposure to real-world challenges, helping you build skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Free programs also tend to be more prestigious than paid ones, so successfully participating in them can benefit your college applications.
Here’s our list of 10 free leadership summer programs for high school students!
Note: Please keep in mind the following information is for 2024-2025, though dates tend to be similar year on year.
TED Summer School is a two-week public speaking, communication, and leadership programme developed in partnership between Immerse Education and TED. Designed for motivated high school students, the programme helps participants discover meaningful ideas, develop them through structured reflection and practice, and communicate them with clarity and confidence. Across small-group sessions guided by expert tutors trained by the TED team, students learn core frameworks for idea development, storytelling, and presentation. The programme culminates in each student delivering a TED-style talk, which is recorded and shared as part of a personal portfolio, alongside a formal certificate and individual feedback. TED Summer School is ideal for students looking to build confidence, sharpen their thinking, and develop communication skills valued by universities and future careers. You can explore the TED Summer School programme website and check full guidance on eligibility, application steps, and deadlines on the application page.
Location: London, New York, Singapore, or Online
Cost: Varies by format, full scholarship available!
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; places are limited
Programme Dates: Summer 2026 (multiple two-week sessions across locations and formats)
Eligibility: Students aged 15–18 (14–18 for the virtual programme); strong English proficiency recommended.
Subiendo is a leadership development program hosted by the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. This program is designed for rising high school seniors interested in leadership, public policy, and business. You will engage in discussions on current issues, work on team projects, and receive mentorship from industry professionals, building essential skills for future leadership roles. The academy focuses on real-world challenges in public policy and business, encouraging you to collaborate with peers to propose innovative solutions. Subiendo provides networking opportunities with Texas legislators, business leaders, and university faculty.
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Eligibility: Current high school juniors
Dates/Duration: June 8 – 12
Application Deadline: February 14
Cost: Free
The Sadie Nash Summer Institute trains young women and gender-expansive youth in leadership, critical thinking, and activism. This program allows you to explore social justice issues and collaborate with peers on projects. Through seminars, discussions, and creative workshops, you will learn how to challenge inequalities and positively impact your communities. You will meet women and gender-expansive leaders in the fields of business, government, and the arts. Previous classes have covered how art can contribute to social change, the politics of school education, and how societal beliefs shape gender.
Location: New York City, NY, and Newark, NJ
Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive youth who are enrolled in high school and live in New York City or Newark
Dates/Duration: TBA, typically 5 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Applications will open in the spring
Cost: Free, stipend provided
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program offers 300 high school juniors and seniors paid summer internships at nonprofit organizations across the U.S. The program offers a blend of work experience and leadership training, culminating in a week-long leadership summit in Washington, D.C., where you will network with nonprofit leaders and participate in workshops on social impact. You will also benefit from mentoring relationships that can continue to support your growth beyond the summer. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Location: Various U.S. cities, see the full list here
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors who are in good academic standing, authorized to work in the U.S., and permanently live in an eligible location
Dates/Duration: Varies according to internship, but typically 8 weeks in May – June, including one week of leadership training in Washington, D.C.
Application Deadline: January 15
Cost: Free, includes travel and lodging
The National Youth Science Camp brings together high school seniors from across the country for an immersive STEAM experience in West Virginia. You will attend lectures from experts in various STEAM fields, conduct research, and engage in outdoor adventure activities like hiking and camping. The camp’s focus on teamwork, leadership, and scientific discovery makes it ideal for students interested in careers in science and technology. What sets NYSCamp apart is its interdisciplinary approach—merging STEM with the arts—allowing you to explore science and technology while engaging in creative, artistic pursuits.
Location: Monongahela National Forest, WV
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors
Dates/Duration: TBA, but typically 3 weeks in July
Application Deadline: February 28
Cost: Free (includes travel and accommodations)
The R2L NextGen Program offers high school juniors of Hispanic/Latino descent the chance to explore civic leadership in the heart of Washington, D.C. During this week-long program, you will learn about public policy and advocacy from Latino leaders in politics and government. Through workshops and discussions, you will develop a deeper understanding of how you can influence change in your community and beyond. You will build valuable networks with peers and mentors. Approximately 60 students will be accepted.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th graders
Dates/Duration: June 8 – 14; June 22 – 28
Application Deadline: January 31
Cost: Free (includes travel, lodging, and meals)
LEDA is a leadership training program which selects 100 high school juniors every year. You have to first apply to be a LEDA Scholar, after which you are eligible for their five-week Aspects of Leadership summer residential program at Princeton University. The program is designed to prepare high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds for leadership in college and beyond. You will receive college application guidance, participate in leadership seminars, and practice public speaking and debate. LEDA is unique in its long-term support for students, which extends throughout your senior year.
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Eligibility: High school juniors who attend public high school or private school on low or no tuition, are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or have DACA status, have a cumulative unweighted GPA above 3.5, and have a total annual family income (including assets) below $90,000.
Dates/Duration: 5 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: December 11
Cost: Free
The FBI National Academy Associates Youth Leadership Program is a leadership development program for high school students interested in exploring careers in law enforcement and public service. Hosted at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, this program offers a challenging curriculum focusing on leadership principles, ethical decision-making, and physical fitness. You will work closely with law enforcement professionals to learn situational leadership and leadership mistakes to avoid.
Location: FBI Academy, Quantico, VA
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and juniors aged 14-16
Dates/Duration: June 19 – 27
Application Deadline: February 3
Cost: Free
The Kelley Women's Leadership Institute at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business allows high-achieving young women to explore business careers and develop essential leadership skills. This pre-college program offers an introduction to various business disciplines through activities, case studies, and workshops led by Kelley faculty. You’ll also have the chance to network with women interested in business and current Kelley students.
Location: Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN or virtual
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with a 3.5/4.0 minimum GPA
Dates/Duration: Multiple one-day sessions in June and July for the in-person program
Application Deadline: Various deadlines depending on session; applications typically close 1 month before the start date
Cost: Free, but students participating in the in-person session are responsible for travel to campus
TASS offers high school juniors a six-week intellectual experience focusing on the humanities and social sciences. You will engage in discussions on race, democracy, and culture. The program emphasizes leadership development through public speaking, debate, and critical thinking exercises. TASS offers two tracks: Critical Black Studies and Anti-Oppressive Studies. While the former studies the literature, politics, and art of people of African descent, the latter studies structures like patriarchy, white supremacy, and classism. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY and University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors, ages 15–18. Open to U.S. and international students, with priority given to students of color or those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds
Dates/Duration: June 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: December 3
Cost: Free
One other option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.