NextGen Leadership Institute

The NextGen Leadership Institute is a three-week summer program at Barnard College in New York City for high school students who will be rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Students pick one of three academic tracks: STEMinist, Writing and Literature, or Global Humanities. Classes are small and are taught by Barnard faculty and expert instructors. Coursework is paired with learning experiences around New York City, such as museum study, guest talks, and site visits. Every week, all participants join the Leadership in Action series, hosted by Barnard's Athena Center for Leadership, which offers practical workshops on working with others and thinking strategically. The 2026 program ran in two sessions: June 29 to July 17 and July 20 to August 7. Students could attend as commuters or live on campus. In 2026, tuition was $8,160 for commuters and $10,771 for residential students, and a limited amount of need-based financial aid was offered.

Applicants must be current high school students who will be rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors and are at least 14 years old when the program starts. The application includes an online form, an unofficial transcript, a list of extracurricular activities, teacher recommendations, and a 500-word statement of purpose. A $75 application fee applies after the priority deadline. Applications for summer 2027 open on December 1, 2026.