Where Future Leaders Find Their Foundation

Invest in the Next Generation of Principled Leaders

The Acton Institute’s Emerging Leaders Program is a highly selective, eight-week summer fellowship that forms the next generation of leaders in liberty, virtue, and faith. Since its launch in 2017, the program has graduated 143 alumni—a growing network of young professionals committed to advancing the ideas of a free and virtuous society. Each year, Acton selects just 16 to 20 participants from a highly competitive pool; most recently, we received applications from 900+ prospective candidates, representing 74 colleges and universities across four continents and 17 countries.

Fellows engage deeply with the foundational ideas of a free and virtuous society while gaining hands-on experience working alongside Acton’s staff, scholars, and global partners. Through rigorous reading, seminars, mentorship, and professional development, Emerging Leaders are equipped not only with a robust intellectual framework but also with the practical skills and relationships needed to advance human flourishing in their future careers. Alumni have gone on to serve in law, business, ministry, journalism, public policy, and academia—carrying forward Acton’s mission in every sphere of influence.

Your support makes this program possible. From housing and stipends to travel and curriculum development, each gift helps remove financial barriers and opens the door for talented young leaders to grow in wisdom, purpose, and impact. When you give to the Emerging Leaders Program, you are investing in those who will shape the cultural, economic, and spiritual future of our world. Make a tax-deductible gift today and help form tomorrow’s leaders—rooted in truth, ready to lead.

Testimonials

Sarah Thomas, ’24

The Catholic University of America Human Rights M.A.

“The Emerging Leaders Program has been an impactful experience that further cultivated my skills in research and offered resources for reflecting on the contributions of religious thought to questions of liberty and political economy.”
Jacob Young, ’24

UCLA Political Science & Government Ph.D.

“The quality and kindness of the people working here, both fellow interns and full-time staff have been nothing short of incredible… I could not find a harder working set of individuals with such brilliant minds, and yet the heart to care about the interns that joined them for the summer.”
Tyler Turman, ’25

Cato Institute Research Associate

“Acton University was one of the highlights of the internship program—I spoke with incredible people, networked with organizations and institutions across the country, gained invaluable advice about career advancement and graduate schools, and attended engaging lectures even while volunteering for the conference. I intend to attend Acton University every year for as long as I can going forward.”
Kelechi Nwannunu, ’25

Free Future Foundation
Chief Executive Officer

“This program made me pause and ask hard questions: Why do I do what I do? What kind of leader do I want to be? How do I hold freedom and virtue together in a world that often splits them apart?”
Adeline Kaufman, ’25

Hillsdale College
Political Economy & French

“I have had the opportunity to do real, meaningful work at Acton, advancing the causes and endeavors of the institution. This challenged me to become more professional, adaptable, and a better communicator.”
Kauan Souza, ’25

Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie
Law

“The freedom we were given to express our perspectives and to listen respectfully to opposing views created an intellectually and personally enriching environment. The debates were not only relevant—they were truly transformative. I felt part of a community of truth-seekers.”