American Enterprise Institute's Summer Honors Program

The American Enterprise Institute's Summer Honors Program is a series of educational and professional development opportunities for top undergraduate students. Participants connect with the ideas, research, and network of AEI—one of America's leading think tanks—through discussion-based seminars led by AEI scholars and other experts, policy briefings with distinguished policy thinkers and practitioners, high-level networking events, and site visits throughout Washington.

Eligibility: Current undergraduates and recent graduates (winter 2018 or later). International students are eligible to apply. Applications from previous Summer Honors Program alumni will not be considered.

Location: Washington, DC

Duration: Most students will participate in a single one-week course at the beginning of Summer 2019. A select group of students will participate in a four-week opportunity, called the Summer Honors Academy.

Stipend: This is a fully-funded program. Housing, meals on class days, stipends and travel vouchers are provided.

Early Decision Deadline: January 7, 2019

Final Deadline: March 11, 2019 

Questions:  SummerHonors@aei.org
Students who apply by the early decision deadline will know whether they are accepted, rejected, or waitlisted by February 4. Otherwise, applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until March 11. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to be considered for your top course preference.

Click here to apply!

Course Offerings

Note: Courses marked with an asterisk are offered through AEI’s Values & Capitalism program and integrate Christian faith-related content into the course material. MAY 28–31, 2019  Athens, Jerusalem, and Philadelphia: Politics and Its Limits Dr. Gary Schmitt & Ms. Rebecca Burgess, AEI (This course is only available to students accepted to the Summer Honors Academy.) JUNE 3–7, 2019 The Building Blocks of Human Flourishing Dr. Charles Murray, AEI War & Decision-Making Dr. Frederick Kagan, AEI  The University: Disinterested or Activist?* Dr. Elizabeth Corey, Baylor University International Economic Development: Why Institutions Matter?*  Dr. Stephen Smith, Hope College JUNE 10–14, 2019 K-12 Education: The Foundation of American Democracy, Society, and Economy Dr. Michael McShane, EdChoice Understanding the Middle East Challenge  Dr. Michael Rubin, AEI Capitalism & Christianity: Do Free Markets Hinder Neighborly Love?* Dr. Anne Bradley, The Fund for American Studies  The Christian Faith and American Foreign Policy* Dr. William Inboden, University of Texas at Austin JUNE 17–21, 2019 The Constitution: Original Meanings and Modern Times  Professor John Yoo, AEI Democratic Capitalism: Principles & Practices Dr. Michael Strain, AEI  Empire for Liberty: The British Roots of American Strategy-Making Ms. Giselle Donnelly, AEI  A Poverty and Welfare Agenda for the 21st Century Mr. Brent Orrell, AEI For more information, visit www.aei.org/SummerHonors  or send us a note at SummerHonors@aei.org.