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 leadership, public speaking, intercultural dialogue, and mediation & conflict resolution. It will run 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, international cooperation, and positive change globally.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the 2026 Hansen Leadership Institute, you must meet several basic requirements:

• You must be 20-25 years old on July 1, 2026
• You must have completed at least one year of college or university at the time of application.
• If you are not currently enrolled in college or university, you must be a recent graduate (2024 or 2025 to apply.)
• Demonstrated leadership experience (in community service, public service, NGO work, or similar).
• English proficiency is required through verification of academic referees; No formal tests like TOEFL or IELTS are required. NOTE: When you submit a name and email address for your academic referee, they will automatically receive an email with instructions to log in and answer a questionnaire to complete to verify your English proficiency. This verification will be submitted with their recommendation form. This is an automatic process; there is no extra information for you to provide.
• You should present a letter of reference from a person who knows you well and can explain why you are a qualified applicant for the program. All applicants must submit two (2) references: From an academic adviser or professor. This person should be able to evaluate your English proficiency; and from an NGO or community organization with whom you have worked.
• Must commit to attending the entire 3-week program

Program Dates/Location

• Application Deadline: January 15, 2026
• 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.