Hansen Leadership Summer Institute (HLI) 2026 in USA (Fully Funded)

The Hansen Leadership Summer Institute (HLI) 2026 is a fully-funded leadership development program hosted by the Fred J. Hansen Foundation. It brings together young people from around the world to build skills in areas like public speaking, intercultural dialogue, conflict resolution, diplomacy, and public service. It runs in summer 2026, and is aimed at undergraduate and graduate students (and recent grads) who have leadership potential. The goal is to empower the next generation of leaders who can contribute to peace, cooperation, and positive change globally.

Eligibility

• Must be age 20-25 on July 1, 2026.
• For undergraduates: must have completed at least one year of college/university at time of application.
• If not currently enrolled, recent graduates (classes of 2024 or 2025) are eligible.
• Demonstrated leadership experience (in community service, public service, NGO work, or similar).
• English proficiency is required (verified through academic referees in many cases); no formal tests like TOEFL or IELTS are required.
• Must commit to attending the entire 3-week program

Program Dates/Location

• Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
• Duration: July 1 to July 22, 2026
• Location: University of San Diego, San Diego, California, United States

Program Benefits

• Round-trip airfare to San Diego
• Health insurance during the program
• Accommodation and meals for the duration of the program, with shared rooms among participants of the same gender.
• Transportation to/from the campus for program meetings and activities.
• All program materials.
• Certificate of Participation

Application Process

• Apply online through the official HLI portal.
• Create an account (if new), fill in the application form.
• Upload required documents as per the application instructions.
• Submit before the deadline:
  • Foreign / International applicants: January 15, 2026 (11:30 PM Pacific Time)
  • U.S. applicants: March 15, 2026 (11:30 PM Pacific Time)
• Selection committee reviews international applications in February, results announced in early to mid-March.