If you are a high school student, leadership is one skill you’ll need no matter what career you choose. Whether it’s a job, college project, or any competitive setting, the ability to plan, manage, and guide a team is valued everywhere. As more spaces demand people who can take charge and make clear decisions, learning how to lead has become essential.
Free leadership summer programs offer a space where you can build these abilities early. You’ll learn how to organize tasks, work with groups, manage time, communicate ideas clearly, and handle problems when things don’t go as planned. Some programs also teach you to work through real challenges, lead discussions, and manage small projects within a set timeframe.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 free leadership summer programs for high school students!
15 Free Leadership Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Remote – you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Program dates: Vary based on yearly cohort. Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation is a non-profit research program for high school students from low-income backgrounds. It offers the same structure and resources as the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, but at no cost.
Through the Breakthrough Scholar Program, you’ll spend 12 weeks working one-on-one with a PhD mentor to develop an independent research paper. You can choose your research topic from fields like psychology, economics, physics, engineering, chemistry, computer science, data science, international relations, and more. You can apply here!
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: Financial aid is available
Program dates: Vary by cohort
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. The deadline for the Summer II Cohort is June 23
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Young Founder’s Lab is a startup incubator program for high school students, created by entrepreneurs affiliated with Harvard. During the program, you’ll work on building a revenue-generating business while getting mentorship from professionals with experience at places like Google, Microsoft, and X.
You’ll go through idea development, market research, product design, and other steps needed to launch a venture. The program includes case studies, workshops, and group activities that help you apply what you learn directly to your startup project. You can access the application link here.
3. Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project – Los Angeles Institute
Location: Cal State LA
Program dates: June 27–29
Application deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Open to sophomores and juniors who are currently enrolled in a California high school and live in Los Angeles County.
CLYLP Los Angeles Institute (LAI) is a free three-day summer program for high school students in Los Angeles County focused on leadership and civic engagement. The program selects 50 students and combines hands-on activities with workshops to help you explore how government and community systems function.
You’ll take part in mock legislative hearings during Civic Day, meet city and county officials, and learn how local policies are shaped. On College & Careers Day, you’ll attend sessions on admissions, financial aid, and career planning. The program also connects you with professionals from education, business, and public service.
4. CU Boulder Business Leadership Program
Location: University of Colorado Boulder
Program dates: June 22–28
Application deadline: March 30
Eligibility: Open to current high school juniors and incoming Leeds School of Business first-year students (starting the Fall semester)
Business Leadership Program – University of Colorado Boulder is a one-week summer program where high school students explore business by solving real-world problems through a case study format. You’ll join a team, work on a marketing campaign for an actual business challenge, and present your solution to professionals at the end of the week.
You’ll interact with faculty from the Leeds School of Business, attend workshops, and meet business executives to learn about different roles in fields like marketing, management, and finance. The program ends with a case competition, and the top team receives a $1,000 scholarship to Leeds.
5. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Nationwide (the Leadership Summit is held in Washington, D.C.)
Cost: Stipend provided + all expenses towards the trip to Washington, D.C. are covered
Program dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who have authorization to work in the United States, live in an eligible area, and have not participated in the program before.
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is an eight-week paid summer internship for high school juniors and seniors. You’ll work at a local nonprofit like the Boys and Girls Clubs or Habitat for Humanity, helping address real community needs while building leadership and teamwork skills. Each year, 300 students are selected from across the U.S.
The program also includes a week-long summit in Washington, D.C. You’ll attend workshops on civic engagement, leadership, and social justice, visit places like the Holocaust Museum and the American Red Cross, and meet members of Congress. You’ll learn how government, business, and nonprofits work together to solve social problems.
6. Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute R2L NextGen Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Program dates: June 8–14 | June 22–28
Application deadline: August 15–January 16
Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th graders residing in one of the 50 states, Puerto Rico, or Washington, D.C.
CHCI’s R2L NextGen Program is a free, one-week leadership and civic education experience in Washington, D.C. You’ll join students from across the U.S. to explore how the government works and how policies impact Latino and underserved communities.
You’ll visit Capitol Hill, meet Members of Congress, and take part in workshops on leadership, civic engagement, and advocacy. Sessions are led by CHCI alumni and Latino leaders who often continue to mentor students after the program ends.
You’ll also tour national monuments, museums, and historic sites. After completing the program, you become part of the CHCI Alumni Association, giving you access to future support and opportunities.
7. Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute
Location: Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Program dates: Multiple one-day sessions in June and July
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
The Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute is a one-day summer program hosted by Indiana University for high school students who identify as female. You’ll spend the day on the Bloomington campus participating in business-focused workshops led by Kelley School of Business faculty.
The sessions cover leadership, communication, and business strategy, and you’ll apply what you learn by working on a business case project with other students. You’ll also connect with current Kelley students and alumni who will share insights about college life, business majors, and career paths.
8. Sadie Nash Leadership Project Summer Institute
Location: Various locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Newark
Program dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive youth who are enrolled in high school and live in New York City or Newark are eligible.
Sadie Nash Leadership Project’s Summer Institute is a five-week program for high school students in New York City and Newark. You will take two main courses: Power, Identity, and Privilege, and a leadership seminar. You can also choose electives on topics like education policy, storytelling, or activism through art.
You will hear directly from local organizers, teachers, and artists. Field trips include visits to universities, museums, and community spaces. Sessions focus on group work, classroom discussions, and community-based projects. You will receive a stipend for attending.
9. Subiendo: The Academy for Rising Leaders
Location: McCombs School of Business, Austin, TX
Program dates: June 8–12
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: High school juniors
Subiendo: The Academy for Rising Leaders is a free five-day summer program for Texas high school students held at the University of Texas at Austin. You’ll join students from across the state to study public policy, leadership, and civic engagement.
You’ll work in small groups to research real-world issues in healthcare, education, and the environment, then propose a policy solution. You’ll present your proposal to a panel at the end of the program. Sessions include talks with professionals in business, government, and education.
You’ll also be mentored by college students and live on campus for the week, learning how leaders make decisions and how policy is shaped.
10. FBI National Academy Associates Youth Leadership Program
Location: FBI Academy, Quantico, VA
Program dates: June 19–27
Application deadline: November 29–February 3
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (ages 14-16 as of the program start date)
FBI National Academy Associates Youth Leadership Program is an eight-day summer program held in Quantico for high school students interested in leadership and law enforcement. You’ll take part in classroom sessions on leadership theory, crisis management, time management, digital safety, and ethics.
Courses include Situational Leadership, Business Leadership, and Values and Choices. You’ll also take part in field training, physical challenges, and group problem-solving tasks. The program includes visits to historical and government sites in Washington, D.C., and sessions led by law enforcement professionals. You’ll stay on-site at the FBI training academy and receive continued mentorship after the program ends.
11. HOBY State Leadership Seminars
Location: Various locations (find your closest Seminar here)
Program dates: Dates vary depending on location. See here.
Application deadline: Participants are nominated by peers; know more here.
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores
Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) State Leadership Seminars are three to four-day programs for high school sophomores who are nominated by their schools or communities. If selected, you’ll join other students from across your state on a college campus.
The seminar covers three phases of leadership. First is personal leadership, where you reflect on your strengths and values. Then, group leadership, where you build teamwork and communication skills. Finally, service leadership focuses on community engagement.
You’ll take part in workshops, group projects, and discussions about current social issues. You’ll also hear from local leaders in business, government, and nonprofits. After the program, you’ll be encouraged to complete 100 hours of community service through HOBY’s Leadership for Service program, which can count toward awards like the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.
12. MIT Leadership Training Institute
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Program dates: February 9 – May 3
Application deadline: Rolling admissions until January 5
Eligibility: Open to high school students in the Boston area
MIT Leadership Training Institute is a free leadership program held from February to May for high school students in the Boston area. You’ll attend weekly sessions at the MIT campus, where you’ll take part in workshops on ethical decision-making, confidence-building, and collaboration.
You’ll work in a small team to plan and carry out a community service project. MIT student mentors will support your leadership and project development throughout the program. The goal is to help you apply leadership concepts to solve a real issue in your community.
13. Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA) Scholars Program
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Program dates: June 29–August 3 (based on previous year dates)
Application deadline: September 4–December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors who are enrolled in a public U.S. high school with a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above, are U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, or have DACA Status, with a total annual household income of $90,000 or below
The LEDA Scholars Program is a five-week summer program for high school juniors held at Princeton and Yale. You’ll take college-style academic courses, attend leadership workshops, and get individualized SAT or ACT preparation. The program also includes writing seminars to help you develop your college essays and critical thinking.
You’ll work on group and individual projects that focus on leadership and social impact. After the summer, LEDA continues to support you with one-on-one college guidance, application help, and resources through senior year and into college.
14. Journey to Leadership Program by the Bella Abzug Leadership Institute
Location: Bella Abzug Leadership Institute, New York, NY
Program dates: Cohort 1: June 31–July 11; Cohort 2: July 14–25; Cohort 3: July 28–August 8
Application deadline: May 5
Eligibility: Female-identifying and gender-expansive youth between the ages of 13–21 enrolled in schools in the NYC Metropolitan Area.
Bella Abzug Leadership Institute’s Journey to Leadership Program is a two-week summer program for high school students who identify as female or gender-expansive. You’ll build practical skills in public speaking, debate, and leadership through workshops, peer dialogue, and real-world case discussions.
You’ll join one of three cohorts, each with around 60 participants. The program focuses on helping you understand your strengths, communicate clearly, and contribute in civic and community settings. Activities include debate labs, leadership seminars, and sessions with mentors and professionals from both the public and private sectors.
15. Wharton Global Youth Program: AI Leadership
Location: Wharton San Francisco campus
Cost: Varies by course. Fee waivers are available
Program dates: July 6–18
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students with a minimum of 3.3 unweighted GPA, or equivalent
AI Leadership at Wharton San Francisco is a nine-day program where you study artificial intelligence through real-world projects and academic sessions. You’ll explore how AI and generative tools are shaping industries like digital business, autonomous vehicles, and media.
You’ll attend sessions on AI foundations, ethics, innovation, and leadership, taught by Wharton faculty and guest speakers. You’ll work with a team to create a project that applies AI to a real-world problem. The program also includes site visits to Bay Area tech companies where you meet professionals working in AI and product development.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Wharton, University of Pennsylvania