Emerging Leaders Program
How can I learn more about the Emerging Leaders Program?
You can learn more about the Acton Institute Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) by visiting The Acton Institute ELP homepage, or by contacting our Program Outreach staff at ELP@acton.org.
What is the deadline for applying to The Acton Institute Emerging Leaders Program?
Applications are now open! The early decision deadline will be on November 30, 2026, and the regular decision deadline will be February 14, 2027. As the Emerging Leaders Program is highly competitive, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible for consideration. Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis.
All application materials, including the letter of recommendation, must be received by the deadline for the application to be complete.
What are the required application materials?
You will need to submit a resume, a cover letter that reflects on Acton’s mission, a letter of recommendation from a college or university faculty, and the online application.
What are the requirements to be accepted to the Emerging Leaders Program at Acton Institute?
We accept rising juniors, seniors, and recent graduates into the program. While our most competitive candidates have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, we do not have a strict GPA requirement.
Does the Emerging Leaders Program require work authorization in the United States?
Yes, participants must be U.S. citizens or have work authorization in the United States. Those without work authorization can apply to our pilot program, the Emerging Scholars Program. See below for more details.
Do Emerging Leaders have the opportunity to attend Acton University?
All Acton Institute Emerging Leaders Program participants attend Acton University. Those accepted will be able to interact with over 800 leaders from 70+ countries, as well as attend lectures from world class scholars.
Will I have any opportunities to write for Religion and Liberty Daily?
Yes, no matter which department you are assigned to, all Emerging Leaders have the opportunity to submit article(s) for publication to Acton’s Religion and Liberty digital publication.
What is the stipend offered for The Acton Institute Emerging Leaders Program?
Acton Institute’s Summer Emerging Leaders Program offers a stipend of $4,500 for participants. Housing is also provided.
Are Acton Emerging Leaders Program stipends taxable?
The stipend participants receive is taxable by the IRS and may be taxable by other tax authorities.
Do I have to move to Grand Rapids to participate in the Acton Institute Emerging Leaders Program?
Yes. Acton’s ELP requires that all participants relocate to Grand Rapids for the eight eek duration of the summer program. You can learn more about the vibrant Grand Rapids community here.
Does the Acton Institute provide housing?
Yes. Acton Institute provides housing for our summer Emerging Leaders. We secure housing at the Grand Valley State University Downtown Campus – conveniently located less than one mile from the Acton building for an easy walk to the office. The GVSU apartment complex is also located near a main bus route. You can view the Grand Rapids bus schedule here. This housing comes fully furnished and kitchen appliances, cookware, and dishes are provided.
Does the Acton Institute provide meals?
The Acton Institute provides some meals for our summer Emerging Leaders. Lunch will be provided for Emerging Leaders 1-2 times a week. Additionally, all meals are covered during Acton University. Emerging Leaders will receive a full schedule of provided meals during program orientation.
What opportunities exist after the program?
Acton Institute places a high priority on helping program participants with job placement at the conclusion of their time with us. Our alumni relations department assists with placing program participants in careers throughout our network. The Acton Institute has also gone on to hire a significant number of past program participants.
Where are our alumni now?
Alumni of the Emerging Leaders Program have pursued careers across a wide variety of fields, including think tanks, state and local government, law, education, technology, and finance. Some of our alumni are currently working at the Acton Institute, The Hoover Institution (Stanford University), the American Institute for Economic Research, the Cato Institute, the AHA Foundation, the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, the Michigan House of Representatives, the City of Palo Alto, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, Atlanta Classical Academy, John Adams Academy, Trinitas Classical School, McKinsey & Company, PWCampbell, EWTN, Bowyer Research, and Cambridge Econometrics.
Other alumni are continuing their education at institutions including Harvard Law School, Oxford University, Vanderbilt University, Catholic University of America, UCLA, Boston University, University of Notre Dame, Central European University, SciencesPo Paris and HEC Paris.
If I am not accepted into the program, are there other opportunities at the Acton Institute?
Yes. While this program is highly competitive, we do offer opportunities to top candidates to whom we are not able to extend offers. In the application, you can select whether you would like to be considered for a Collegiate Fellowship to attend Acton University.
Emerging Scholars Program
What is the Emerging Scholars Program?
The Emerging Scholars Program (ESP) is a pilot program that runs alongside the Emerging Leaders Program. Emerging Scholars do not work in an Acton department. Instead, they spend the summer on an independent research project related to Acton’s mission, such as a master’s or doctoral thesis, a research paper, or another substantial academic project. Each Emerging Scholar is paired with a staff or affiliate scholar, who serves as a mentor for the whole program.
Who should apply to the Emerging Scholars Program?
ESP is designed for master’s and Ph.D. students, especially those planning careers in academia or at think tanks. We would consider a highly qualified undergraduate in certain cases. The program is open to international applicants, including those who are not eligible for the Emerging Leaders Program because they lack U.S. work authorization.
How is the Emerging Scholars Program different from the Emerging Leaders Program?
Emerging Leaders work in an Acton department and take part in leadership and career seminars. Emerging Scholars pursue their own research project with a scholar as mentor, and their curriculum is more academic. Both programs include roughly 15–20 hours of educational programming each week. Emerging Scholars spend another 20–25 hours a week on their project, where Emerging Leaders spend that time on department work.
What does the Emerging Scholars curriculum include?
Emerging Scholars attend academic seminars alongside Emerging Leaders, along with the research department’s weekly seminars.
How do I apply?
Applicants submit a project proposal describing the research they plan to complete over the summer along with resume, cover letter, and letter of recommendation.
Is there a stipend for the Emerging Scholars Program?
Yes. Emerging Scholars receive a stipend to help cover living expenses during the program, plus housing and travel.
Do Emerging Scholars relocate to Grand Rapids? Is housing provided?
Yes, housing is provided and participants are required to relocate to Grand Rapids for eight weeks.
Will I be able to publish my work with Acton?
Based on the nature of the research, participants will work with their mentor to identify the best outlet, either in an Acton publication or externally.
Please contact ELP@acton.org if you have any further questions.