2026 LCS Enrichment Opportunities Homepage by Brendan Fell

Queen's Leadership (QLEAD)

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇨🇦Very popular for Commerce hopefuls.

Deadline: September 28

House of Commons Page Program

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

Each year, 40 bilingual students are selected fort he Page Program. Pages are first-year students registered at a university in Ottawa. They work on a part-time basis for one year. In the chamber and around Parliament Hill, pages support parliamentary democracy by providing a range of services to members of Parliament.

Applications open September 29 - November 9, 2025 for the next academic year.

Pioneer Academics

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

High quality online research opportunities for students seeking a uniquely intellectual experience. You earn Oberlin College credits. Good for ANY major (STEM or Arts). Famous for having incredible Humanities research tracks (e.g., Anthropology, Philosophy).

Rolling competitive admission for spring and summer. Apply before March for best topic selection (summer session).

Stanford Summer Humanities Institute

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇺🇸 A rigorous three-week residential program for rising high school juniors and seniors (students entering Grade 11 or 12). Participants explore complex questions in fields like philosophy, literature, and history through seminars led directly by Stanford professors.

Application deadline: February 2, 2026

Wharton Global Youth (UPenn)

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇺🇸Best global business option if Ivey is full.

Deadline: Jan 22 (priority), March 25

U Chicago Summer Language Institute

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇺🇸 Learn an entire year of a language online this summer! 2026 language offerings: French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Latin, Ancient Greek. Ideal for academically advanced high school students who want the opportunity to either learn a new language or continue learning a language in intensive classes with current UChicago students.

Sewanee Young Writers Conference

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇺🇸 Intensive two-week retreat of reading, writing, and community. Creative writing workshops in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and playwriting.

Program dates: June 28 - July 11, 2026

Winter online option: six weeks in January/February 2026

Applications open December 2025

Application deadline: March 2, 2026

Pratt Institute Summer PreCollege

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇺🇸 Best for industry connections. Very technical; great for architecture/design.

Application deadline: Feb 1 (Scholarship) / Apr 1 (Intl)

SCAD Rising Star

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇺🇸 Spend 4-5 weeks making art, enhancing your portfolio and experiencing campus life in North Carolina. Earns 10 college credits; great facilities.

Rolling Application (suggested to apply by February)

Parsons Summer Intensive

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇺🇸 World-renowned, trendy art school in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. Best place for fashion and experimental design.

Application Deadline: Feb 9 (Scholarship) / Apr 1 (Intl)

IE Pre-University Summer Program

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇪🇸 Discover university life in Spain through two weeks of interactive classes, teamwork, and hands-on projects designed to spark your curiosity and confidence.

Pre-Business: Explore core business principles and entrepreneurship.
Pre-Law: Dive into legal systems, policy, and problem-solving.
Pre-Design: Focus on the pillars of design, architecture, and fashion

Rolling applications (often full by March).

Interlochen Arts Camp

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇺🇸 The "Juilliard" or "Olympics" of summer art camps. Music, Theatre, Writing. Expensive, but the "Ivy League" of arts camps (in Michigan). Famous alumni network; elite training.

Deadline: Jan 15 (Priority)

Medical Problem Solving

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇨🇦 Interested in solving medical mystery cases, similar to the approach used in many medical schools? Ready to use problem-solving techniques in order to understand and appreciate relevant medical/biological facts? Open to confronting the principles and practices of medicine, and enhance your critical thinking skills? Take this Global Online Academy (GOA) course in the summer or fall.

Boston U Summer Journalism Academy

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇺🇸 Interested journalism, writing, or photography? Excited to join a newsroom and hear from guest speakers in the field? Learn journalism from working reporters this summer — on campus or from home!

2026 Application deadline pending

Where There Be Dragons

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

"Unfiltered" travel. No tour buses. Trekking the Silk Road, living in the Andes, or studying spirituality in Nepal. For the student who finds normal teen tours "too touristy." Spend your Gap Year going behind-the-scenes, and genuinely connect to a different way of life.

Apply by late January for best summer spots

UAL Central Saint Martins

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇬🇧 The world's #2 Art & Design school. Specialized intensives in Visual Arts, Fashion & Design (e.g., "Fashion Design for 16–18" or "Architecture Portfolio"). Students work in the famous Granary Square studios in London.

Deadline: Rolling (Popular courses fill by April)

U Waterloo Catalyst Summer Program

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇨🇦 Spend two weeks building, testing, researching, presenting and collaborating on projects rooted in Engineering design, business and entrepreneurship and research. Attend talks and workshops from U Waterloo graduate students and faculty.

Application deadline: February 16, 2026

Stratford Festival Theatre Camp

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇨🇦 Best for Classical Theatre. Unique access to professional actors. Shakespeare and performance at North America's premier theatre festival.

Deadline: Feb 10 (Early Bird) / rolling until June 1

Irish Gap Year

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

A mix of travel, Irish culture, and professional internships (e.g., working in a Dublin tech firm or arts center). This is a combination of community integration, immersion in nature, experiential education, exploration of the arts and creativity, meaningful travel, volunteering and cultural exchange. Ireland has the landscape and culture that lends itself to reflection and exploration.

African Conservation Experience

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

Work with professional wildlife projects in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia doing ethical, science-based conservation work. For those interested in animal management, vet science, wildlife conservation, work on the front lines alongside conservation professionals and have a real impact on African ecosystems.

70% of program fees provide vital funding for conservation, eg. specialized equipment (tracking collars, vehicles, fuel), veterinary care for animals, and salaries for local rangers and staff.

Peak Season (June–October) spots often fill up 6-12 months in advance.

Class Afloat

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

Sail to 20+ ports on a tall ship while earning first-year university credits (Acadia University). A structured gap year that keeps you academically engaged.

Rolling Admission

Canadian Gap Year Association

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

Not sure what life after Grade 12 looks like? Not sure if you want to continue formal education right now? Need help designing, planning what's next? Look here for resources and programs to help plan your year off after high school.

Lang Leadership Lab (UCC)

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇨🇦 A two-week co-ed, immersive summer program designed for students who want to develop their leadership potential and create positive change. July 5-18 2026, Upper Canada College, Toronto.

Application deadline: January 16

Open to international students and has financial aid.

Western Ivey: John F. Wood Summer Leadership Program

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇨🇦Rigorous, residential leadership program for high schoolers (Grades 9–11), top business summer camp in Ontario. Highly competitive. For students targeting Canadian business schools. It uses the "Ivey Case Method," which is exactly how their undergrads learn

Deadline: rolling (opens late Feb)

Students On Ice

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇨🇦 Interested in climate change, ocean conservation, biodiversity, culture, and history? Invested in learning and engaging with Indigenous and Western ways of knowing and doing research? The ultimate Arctic/Antarctic educational expedition.

Application deadline: Dec 4, 2025

Scholarship opportunities available.

University College Dublin Summer School

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇮🇪 Spend three weeks of your summer at Ireland's global university and get a glimpse of what college life in Dublin could be like! Attend lectures and field trips to explore and engage with Irish history and culture.

Application deadline: February 15

ASPIRE: Berklee 5-Week Performance

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇺🇸 Focuses purely on Contemporary/Jazz/Pop rather than classical.

Deadline: Jan 31 (priority)

U of T MED Youth Summer Program

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇨🇦 Love lab experiments? Interested in physiology, microbiology or pharmacology? Want to handle chemicals and equipment? Thinking about a career in medicine? YSP modules on physiology, molecular biology, and clinical medicine.

Application opens late Jan / closes Mar-April (often fills early).

Northeastern AI Futures Innovation Contest

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

A five-day online innovation challenge for Year 12 students, enabling students to gain experience of working on a real-life business challenge set by one of our start-up hub businesses. Participants work individually or in teams of 2-3 to address an industry-led business challenge using AI, supported by specialists. Competition dates: February 16-20, 2026

Sunnybrook Hospital's Focused Ultrasound Summer High School Internship Program

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇨🇦 8-week program that allows students passionate about science, math and technology explore the world of research in a unique 1-to-1 mentor program setting at Sunnybrook Hospital. This program runs over the course of the summer, Monday - Friday 8am - 4pm on site at 2075 Bayview Avenue in Toronto. Note: no accommodation provided.

Application deadline: February 13, 2026

Bocconi Summer School

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇮🇹The "Harvard of Europe" for finance and law. Great for international business. High value for students looking at EU universities.

Deadline: Rolling (opens Feb/March)

Temple University in Japan Summer School

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

🇯🇵 Spend 9 days in Tokyo taking college-style classes and Japanese language lessons. Includes trips to Nikko and DisneySea. Perfect for the student obsessed with anime or Japanese culture who wants to see if they could actually handle living in Tokyo for university.

Application deadline: April 1, 2026

Math Contests

bfell3 — 2026-01-10 03:20:23 UTC

If you are interested in applying to post-secondary programs related to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, you should write math and computing contests. Speak to Mr Gordon and watch Edsby for sign ups in January. Upcoming: Pascal, Cayley, and Fermat math contests, along with the Canadian Computing Competition. Euclid will be in April 2026.

CERN Beamline for Schools

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 15:12:01 UTC

🌐 /🇨🇭The Beamline for Schools (BL4S) competition is a flagship international physics contest for high school students. Its core purpose—the "why" behind the physics—is to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world scientific discovery. You design a physics experiment in a team. Winning teams visit the world-class laboratory for ten days in CERN (Switzerland) or DESY (Germany).

Application Deadline: March 13, 2026

FREE

Mathcamp

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 15:16:58 UTC

🇺🇸/🇨🇦 From proof techniques to advanced topics like Topology and Abstract Algebra, an intensive, five-week summer program in for mathematically talented students.

January 12: Application materials and the 2026 Qualifying Quiz are released.
February 23: Deadline for all application materials; no late submissions are accepted.

Financial aid available.

Summer Science Program (SSP)

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 15:21:47 UTC

🇺🇸 A rigorous immersive 5-week research experience. This year's topics: Astrophysics/Biochemistry/Cell Biology/Bacterial Genomics/Synthetic Chemistry. Very competitive.

Application deadline: January 29, 2026.

They meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for international students.

DEEP Summer Academy (U of T)

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 15:27:12 UTC

🇨🇦 Test drive an Engineering degree at Canada's top university. High-quality engineering exposure (Robotics, Bioengineering, AI) in July/August.

Applications open late February.

U of T Law Youth Summer Program (YSP)

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 15:30:10 UTC

🇨🇦 Law, ethics and civics - the Corporate Law and Law, AI & Tech modules are highly relevant right now.

Application: Opens February 11, 2026

LEAP (McMaster)

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 15:30:57 UTC

🇨🇦 Great engineering exploration (Robotics, Software) for Grades 9–10. Opportunity to check out McMaster's campus. Good alternative if rejected from DEEP.

Applications open late January and closes late February.

Debate Camp

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 15:31:20 UTC

🇨🇦#1 extracurricular for students interested in Law and Politics. Good for building confidence and Public Speaking skills. Sharpen your public speaking and legal skills. Registration open, but flexible. Good for last-minute planners.

Deadline: Rolling

CREATE (U of T)

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 15:32:32 UTC

🇨🇦 NEW Engineering Design Studio, best for students who want "Hands-on" work.

Opens late February 2026

Ingenious+ Youth Innovation Challenge

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 15:32:49 UTC

🇨🇦Open to ages 14-18. Categories: Climate, Equity, Health, Tech, Community. Cash Prizes ($1k-$10k). Winners get cash to develop their innovation further.

Application deadline: January 23

Notre Dame Leadership Seminars

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 15:35:04 UTC

🇺🇸 Focus on servant leadership rather than corporate leadership. Highly selective, often funded/free.

Application deadline: January 21, 2026

Camp Rising Sun (The Ethical Leadership Experience)

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 15:36:56 UTC

🌐 / 🇺🇸 A prestigious, selective leadership intensive connecting students from 30+ countries. Focuses on 'Ethical Leadership'—how to organize for social change, sustainability, and justice. Not a business camp. This is for the student who wants to change the world, not just a company. a full-scholarship ethical leadership camp. Very high prestige for "Social Impact" resumes.

Deadline: late Jan/early Feb

LaunchX

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 15:39:28 UTC

🇺🇸 This is a true global incubator, not just a class. Students leave with a functional startup. Best suited for the 'Disruptor' student. If they want to be the next Elon Musk or Sara Blakely, this is where they go. It is high-pressure and very high-reward. his is not a "business class." It is an incubator. Students actually start a real company, build a prototype, and pitch to real investors.

Deadline: February 15, 2026

The Global Citizen Year (Academy)

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 15:40:19 UTC

🌐 / 🇺🇸 A 12-week virtual leadership intensive that focuses on "Global Perspectives". approx. 3–5 hours of commitment per week. international students are eligible for the same financial aid as domestic students

Deadline: March 15 (priority)

Quantum Cryptography School for Young Students (QCSYS)

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 15:46:42 UTC

🇨🇦 / 🌐 Crack codes and learn quantum mechanics at one of the world's leading tech hubs. U Waterloo is one of the best for Quantum Physics! Extremely competitive, but completely free if selected.

Virtual: August 4 to 13, 2026

Application deadline: May 1, 2026

SMU Young Leaders (Singapore)

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 15:47:57 UTC

🇸🇬 SMU is a top Asian business school. Excellent for students interested in the global economy.

Rolling Applications, deadline: April 30, 2026 (opened Dec 1)

Forum for Young Canadians

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 15:54:32 UTC

🇨🇦 Spend a week behind the scenes of Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Meet Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators, participate in political simulations (like cabinet meetings or national elections), and attend skill-building workshops on leadership and public speaking.

Sessions run Feb/March 2026.

Application deadline: Oct 26, 2025

Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 15:55:33 UTC

🇺🇸 Interdisciplinary, two-week session at Yale's historic campus. Immersed in global learning with participants from 150 countries. Acceptance rate is low (around 15%), but having 'YYGS Alum' on a resume is a massive signal to US Ivy League admissions.

Application Deadline: Oct 15 (EA), January 7, 2026

PROMYS

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 17:36:47 UTC

🇺🇸/🇬🇧 Deep math immersion. PROMYS Europe (Oxford) is specifically for European residents/citizens, but Boston is global and open to international students.

Application deadline: February 27, 2026

Need blind financial aid available.

London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF)

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 17:40:13 UTC

🇬🇧 A 14-day international STEM summer camp hosted at Imperial College London, connecting 500 young scientists with Nobel Laureates and advanced research insights.

In-person and virtual options

Application deadline: May 30

Queen's Summer Engineering Academy (QSEA)

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 17:45:04 UTC

🇨🇦 One-week immersive course options: mechanical, electrical, and mechatronics OR civil, mining, and geological engineering OR chemical and biomedical engineering.

Great for "Residence Life" experience in Kingston!

Application opens in early February 2026

Ontario Parks Ranger

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 19:26:18 UTC

🇨🇦 Summer job working at a specific provincial park (e.g., Algonquin, Sandbanks, Bronte Creek) through the Ministry of Environment, posted under the "Ontario Summer Employment Opportunities (SEO)" program.

Application deadline: mid-February 2026

Stewardship Youth Ranger (SYR)

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 19:39:38 UTC

🇨🇦 Cleaning streams, planting trees, building boardwalks, removing invasive species ... it is physically demanding and hard labour! An environmental stewardship program through Ministry of Natural Resources. Great for students interested in Ecosystem Management and Habitat Restoration

Job postings generally appear on the Ontario Public Service (OPS) Careers portal in March 2026

Application deadline: mid-to-late April 2026

Ocean Action Grant (Ocean Wise)

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 19:42:56 UTC

🌐 / 🇨🇦 Turn passion for the ocean into action by receiving $3,000 to lead your own eco-project. Great for self-starters!

Rolling Admission (until funds run out)

Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 20:04:01 UTC

🇺🇸/🇨🇦 / 🇲🇽 Paid, hands-on summer internship to work side-by-side with real fisheries professionals and learn what it’s like to do scientific fieldwork. Great for students interested in biology, conservation, or aquatic science!

Application deadline: January 25, 2026

Science Without Borders Challenge

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 20:19:03 UTC

🌐 An international student art contest run by the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. The goal is to advocate for ocean conservation through art. It is not just about drawing a pretty picture; the artwork must communicate a specific scientific theme.

Application deadline: March 2, 2026

African Conservation Experience (ACE)

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 20:23:13 UTC

🇿🇦 Pre-vet placements to work directly with rhinos and elephants on a game reserve in South Africa. Real field research, not just tourism.

Rolling Applications

Talloires Network "Social Innovation" (Tufts University)

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 20:41:13 UTC

🇺🇸 / 🇫🇷 Focuses on the intersection of Civic Engagement and Sustainability. It’s less about "hiking" and more about "Global Citizenship." For the student who wants the French experience but with a heavy focus on policy and the environment. It’s a very sophisticated 'Alpine' experience.

Rolling application deadline until May 1

Tallship Expeditions (St Lawrence II)

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 20:51:29 UTC

🇨🇦 Gain hands-on sailing experience aboard a 72-foot brigantine ... work the ship around the clock for 5-7 days, learn to raise sails, steer the vessel, climb the rigging (to furl sails), and manage anchors!

Can count as a residential project for Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.

Rolling application deadline (summer session usually fills by March)

SALTS Summer Sails

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 20:53:48 UTC

🇨🇦 Multi-day sail training voyages along the beautiful BC west coast of Canada — a one-of-a-kind experience that combines teamwork, adventure, and skill-building on a real tall ship! Learn to sail and help operate a traditional schooner. Navigate, raise sails, steer, take part in life at sea and explore stunning coastal waters .

Registration for Summer 2026 opens Monday January 17 (These trips often sell out within hours of the registration portal opening, so it is recommended to create a profile on the SALTS website in advance.)

Forfar Field Station Summer Marine Biology

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 20:55:18 UTC

🇧🇸 Snorkeling, marine science lectures, and exploring the blue holes and reefs of Andros, Bahamas.

Rolling Admission until April 20

Explore (French Immersion Program)

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 21:30:31 UTC

🇨🇦 Five week immersion program designed for students with any French skill level to learn the language while discovering a new region and culture of Canada.

Application deadline: February 3, 2026

Government-funded bursary for Canadian citizens/PRs.

World Climate Negotiations Bootcamp (Sciences Po)

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 21:33:46 UTC

🇫🇷 / 🌐 Two-week negotiations bootcamp where students learn about international relations theories through role-playing exercises that include interactive rounds of negotiation. This online simulation course is ideal for students who are passionate about pressing environmental issues, while also curious to learn more about international relations and diplomacy.

Application deadline: May 27th, 2026

Sciences Po summer program

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 21:39:22 UTC

🇫🇷 Explore current issues in international relations and political science at a world-renowned university in the social sciences.

Rolling admission until April 1, 2026

Université Sainte-Anne: French Immersion

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 21:49:50 UTC

🇨🇦 Parlez-vous français?

OUI c'est formidable! You will definitely be more fluent in French at the end of five weeks. Arguably the most effective and strict immersion program in Canada due to their "French Only" rule (students are warned/sent home if they speak English).

Application (Canadian citizen bursary) deadline: February 3, 2026

Rolling Admission for international students

Vimy Pilgrimage Award

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 21:53:41 UTC

🇫🇷 / 🇧🇪 20 selected students travel to Belgium and France to study Canada’s First World War contributions. Daily visits to historic battlefields, museums, and cemeteries, including the Vimy Memorial.

Applications were open from October 21 to November 25, 2025 for the April 2026 expedition.

School of The New York Times

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 21:59:53 UTC

🇺🇸 Spend two weeks in New York City and Washington, D.C. exploring subjects like investigative reporting, photojournalism, and fashion through hands-on workshops and field trips. A transformative experience for those interested in journalism, media, digital storytelling.

Application deadline: February 26, 2026

Elon University Emerging Journalists

bfell3 — 2026-01-12 22:10:08 UTC

🇺🇸 For students interested in launching careers in journalism.

Virtual Phase is open to all high school students and consists of four monthly virtual sessions starting in January 2026 which cover foundational skills: News Gathering & Writing, Editing & Design, Photojournalism & Multimedia Broadcast, and Law & Ethics.

A selective, 12-day residential workshop for 18 rising high school seniors work in a professional newsroom setting to produce a website, newspaper, and newscast in North Carolina.
- Summer 2026: June 15–26, 2026.
- Free

Application deadline early January

Iowa Young Writers Studio

bfell3 — 2026-01-13 18:51:38 UTC

🇺🇸 The premier creative writing program for high schoolers - Poetry, Fiction, Creative Writing, Playwriting, or TV Writing. Selective admission.

2-week residential programs in Iowa City

Application deadline: February 1, 2026

6-week online courses

Summer 2026 application deadline: mid-to-late April

Winter 2026 application deadline: October 31, 2025

Middlebury Language Academy

bfell3 — 2026-01-13 18:55:23 UTC

🇺🇸 Intensive, immersion language study program. Languages Offered: Abenaki, Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

Rolling applications:

Priority Deadline: November 15, 2025
Scholarship Deadline: December 15, 2025
1st Round Deadline: February 1, 2026
2nd Round Deadline: March 15, 2026

Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop

bfell3 — 2026-01-13 20:57:57 UTC

🇺🇸 A deeply respected, highly selective program for serious young writers. Winter and online options available.

Application deadline: March 1, 2026

Adroit Prizes for Poetry & Prose

bfell3 — 2026-01-13 21:17:55 UTC

🇺🇸 / 🌐 The Adroit Journal is a powerhouse in the literary world. High-level literary craft, one of the most competitive venues for emerging young writers. The competition is best for students looking to build a serious literary portfolio and gain recognition from top-tier editors.

Application deadline: January 31, 2026

Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)

bfell3 — 2026-01-13 21:24:06 UTC

🇺🇸 A highly selective, six-week residential program that offers college-level seminars in the humanities and social sciences (eg. Critical Black Studies and Anti-Oppressive Studies). The program is designed to foster critical thinking, writing, and public speaking skills within a democratic living community. Free and highly intellectual.

Open to international students.

Application deadline: December 3 2025

Girls On Ice

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 11:51:07 UTC

🇨🇦 Explore the northern Canadian landscape of the iconic Illecillewaet Glacier. GOI programs interweave science, art and adventure to inspire leadership, curiosity and confidence.

Fully funded for ten students, July 2026

Information session: January 18

Application deadline: February 6

University of Edinburgh Pre-University Summer School

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 12:36:51 UTC

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Summer in Scotland! Courses available in social sciences, humanities, life sciences and design. Late June/early July program dates.

Rolling Admission

Canadian Economics Olympiad (CEO)

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 13:09:31 UTC

Questions span microeconomics, macroeconomics, and financial literacy (e.g., stock valuation, risk/return tradeoff, and time value of money). Winners qualify to be selected for the five-student Team Canada to represent the country at the International Olympiad (IEO).

Round 1 (Online): Feb 21, 2026. Round 2 (Finals): April 8, 2026.

International History Bee and Bowl (IHBB)

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 13:12:32 UTC

Jeopardy style history trivia which uses a "buzzer system" with paragraph-length, pyramidal questions that progress from obscure clues to more well-known facts.

Regional Online: March 14–15, 2026

Canadian National Championships (in Ottawa): April 18–19, 2026

John Locke Institute Essay Competition

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 13:14:24 UTC

For wordsmiths and historians and those interested in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psych, Theology, Law. Write an essay, win a prize from Oxford/Princeton.

Opens Spring 2026 (Deadline June 30)

Forfar Marine Science Program

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 15:17:42 UTC

🇧🇸 A 6-week residential program designed for young adults (ages 18–24) focusing on marine biology, island ecology, and conservation. Earn Scuba certifications, marine research, and island conservation work. Program happens in the Bahamas, October to December.

WWOOF (Organic Farms)

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 15:22:58 UTC

Like Northcote, volunteer at local organic farms io gain experience or learn useful skills like gardening or carpentry (in exchange for room and board)

Teenagers can participate in Germany, Italy, Portugal, UK, South Korea. (Gabe Roti did this in Italy!)

NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School)

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 15:27:38 UTC

Semester-long (3-6 months) wilderness expeditions. Key global locations include Alaska, Patagonia (Chile), India (Himalayas), New Zealand, Mexico, Tanzania, and the Northeast U.S. The gold standard for outdoor education.

Premed Projects

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 15:37:43 UTC

🇹🇭 Shadow doctors in active hospitals in Thailand (Clinical shadowing that is not possible in North America). Gain experience in patient shadowing, ward rounds, and emergency assessment (actually shadow surgery and get clinical hours)!

Rolling Admission (Programs often fill by March/April)

Masaryk University Medical Summer School

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 15:52:10 UTC

🇨🇿 Experience the 6-year medical school model at a top Central European university in Czech. Includes anatomy and simulation labs. "try before you buy" the European direct entry medical education model.

Rolling Admission (application opens in March 2026)

Stanford Anesthesia Summer Institute (SASI)

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 16:09:05 UTC

🇺🇸 1-week essential medical skills like suturing and ultrasound to explore healthcare careers OR 2-week overview of anesthesiology, technology, and humanism with a patient-partnered capstone project

Application deadline: January 5 (ED) or February 3, 2026

Premed SKL

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 16:18:24 UTC

🇨🇦 Explore medical specialities Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, and Surgery through weekly coaching. Live sessions and guidance are provided by medical students, residents, and doctors from leading Canadian universities and hospitals. Highly competitive, nomination required, 50 Grade 11 students are selected from across Canada.

Nomination deadline: December 15 2026

Projects Abroad

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 16:33:23 UTC

Gain hands-on insight in hospitals and clinics in countries like Nepal, Peru, and Argentina. These are supervised observation and public health workshops (like learning to take vitals or suturing on models) rather than hands-on care, which avoids the ethical "voluntourism".

Rolling Applications

Broadreach

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 16:46:14 UTC

Veterinary medical adventures in Malawi, Costa Rica or Bahamas. Practice animal handling, performing physical exams, suturing techniques, and administering vaccines. Shadow veterinarians during procedures such as spay and neuter surgeries. Field research in rescue centers.

Rolling Application

Notre Dame Summer Scholars

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 17:03:52 UTC

🇺🇸 Intensive two-week residential program Take college-level classes from Notre Dame professors. Over 20 tracks are available, including Law, Psychology, Astronomy, Data Science, Entrepreneurship, and Film/TV.

June 27 – July 11, 2026

Application deadline: February 13 2026

UBC Future Global Leaders

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 17:54:33 UTC

🇨🇦 Experience west coast living in British Columbia. Two-week mini courses on the Vancouver campus focusing on Psychology, Business, and Philosophy.

Three-week virtual courses. Other Popular Subjects: Engineering, Forensic Anthropology, Global Political Economy, and Law.

Information session: January 22

Rolling applications open February 3, 2026

McGill Summer Academy

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 17:59:08 UTC

🇨🇦 Spend two weeks experiencing top tier academics in July downtown Montreal. Two academic streams:

Pathways to Neuro and Health Sciences Students explore the function of the human nervous system and learn about groundbreaking research in the field.
Understanding Migration, Global Citizenship and Diasporic Resistance This course delves into global migration through historical, social, and political lenses.

Priority applications due: February 15

Application deadline: March 22

Western Ivey Case Competitions

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 20:05:26 UTC

🇨🇦 One-day events to introduce high schoolers to the Ivey case method. Participants are placed on teams with peers from other schools to solve real-world business challenges.

Application deadline: February 23, 2026

Spring 2026 event: May 2, 2026

Brown University Pre-College

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 20:23:37 UTC

🇺🇸 300+ non-credit courses ranging from 1 to 4 weeks (that can fit tight schedules). Leadership Institute focuses on social change and leadership skills. Great backup to YYGS

Rolling Application opens: January 14, 2026

ISSOS International Summer School

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 20:30:38 UTC

🇬🇧 A three-week, all-inclusive academic program, held at the historic university campuses of St Andrews or Cambridge. Academic streams in Business and Entrepreneurship, Creative Writing, Debate, English Language, Journalism, Youth Leadership. UK tutorial style learning in cohorts of 150 students.

Rolling applications open January 2026

University of Hong Kong Summer Institute

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 20:36:32 UTC

🇭🇰 An immersive academic and cultural experience. 50 programs across diverse fields such as Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), Business, Law, Sustainable Development, and STEAM. Excellent for students wanting an Asian university perspective.

Application deadline: March 21, 2026

RISD pre-college summer programs

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 21:03:01 UTC

🇺🇸 Over 20 options including Animation, Architecture, Fashion Design, Game Design, Industrial Design, and Painting. plus mandatory classes: Drawing Foundations, Design Foundations, and Critical Studies in Art. Intense, mimics first-year "foundation" year. Highest Prestige

Application deadline: Jan 30 (Scholarship) / Rolling

Idyllwild Arts (California)

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 21:04:30 UTC

🇺🇸 Set in the California mountains; more of a "West Coast" laid-back vibe than Interlochen with high technical standards.

Deadline: Feb 1 (financial aid priority)

NYU Tisch Summer High School

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 21:05:28 UTC

🇺🇸 Arguably the most famous film/drama school in the US.

Deadline: Jan 7 (Priority) / Feb 11 (Final)

Cooper Union Summer Intensive

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 21:07:09 UTC

🇺🇸 Highly prestigious and technically rigorous. Virtual option.

Deadline: early June

Cornell Introduction to Architecture

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 21:07:59 UTC

🇺🇸 Legendary 6-week intensive. It is widely known in the industry as the best "portfolio builder" for architecture school.

Deadline: May 2026 (but fills much earlier).

RADA Young Actors Summer School

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 21:08:56 UTC

🇬🇧 The "Harvard of Acting." A rigorous, no-fluff acting intensive at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Shakespeare, movement, and voice. Not a camp; this is pre-professional training.

Deadline: Rolling (Waitlists open early)

LAMDA Musical Theatre Intensive

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 21:11:36 UTC

🇬🇧 London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art. Excellent for students looking at "Conservatoire" style training. They offer specific tracks for Musical Theatre and Screen Acting.

Applications: March/April 2026

Harvard International Economics Essay Competition (HIEEC)

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 21:12:15 UTC

A prestigious global competition for high school students worldwide. Students choose one of four provided prompts and write a 1500-word essay.

Prompts released: October 28 2025

Application deadline: January 5, 2026

The Bartlett Summer School (UCL)

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 21:12:54 UTC

🇬🇧 Top ranked Architecture school. Students work in the Slade School of Fine Art studios in London. Highly experimental and portfolio-focused.

Deadline: Rolling (Opens in Feb)

Instituto Marangoni

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 21:13:54 UTC

🇮🇹 Pure fashion immersion. 3-week intensive "tasters" for future careers in fashion and design. These programs are held at major fashion hubs including Miami, Milan, London, and Paris.Choose Milan (Fashion Design), Paris (Luxury Brand Management), or Florence (Art). Very industry-focused; less "fine art" and more "runway/business."

Deadline: May 2026

Paris College of Art

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 21:16:47 UTC

🇫🇷 Study photography, fashion, or drawing entirely in English while living in the center of Paris.

Deadline: April 15, 2026

National Portfolio Day

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 21:18:55 UTC

🇨🇦 A must-attend for creative students. Meet representatives from top art & design schools, show your work, and get free one-on-one portfolio reviews.

Spring 2026 virtual event: April 25

Fall 2026 in-person event: November 1

CAMMAC Music Centre

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 21:19:50 UTC

🇨🇦 Less "competitive," more about the joy of music. Runs multi-generational weeks; very friendly for teens. In Harrington QC

Deadline: rolling admission

Daniels Design Discovery Program

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 21:21:34 UTC

🇨🇦 A two-week comprehensive introduction to the discipline of architecture, focus on drawing practices and model making.

Application: opens February 2026

Drayton Youth Academy (DEYA)

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 21:22:15 UTC

🇨🇦 Highly professional musical theatre intensives in Waterloo region. Similar to Stratford, run by working Canadian professionals.

Deadline: Feb (auditions)

New York Times Student Editorial Contests

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 23:27:35 UTC

Open to students worldwide to submit original writing for real-world publication.

My List: A Different Kind of Review Contest (Jan. 14 – Feb. 25, 2026) involves creating a list of 3–5 cultural works and explaining their value.
Open Letters: Opinion Writing Contest (Feb. 25 – April 8, 2026) challenges students to write a persuasive letter (under 500 words) to someone who can effect change.
Audio Stories: Student Podcast Contest (April 8 – May 13, 2026) requires creating an original podcast of 5 minutes or less.
Voice and Choice: Summer Reading Contest (June 5 – Aug. 14, 2026) invites students to share their reactions to The Times articles through writing or short videos.

Zooniverse

bfell3 — 2026-01-14 23:40:35 UTC

The world's largest platform for people-powered research. Participate in real research projects in diverse fields, including astronomy, ecology (e.g., tracking wildlife), and the humanities (e.g., transcribing historical ship logs) from your laptop. Connecting over two million volunteers with professional researchers to process massive datasets. A collaboration between the University of Oxford, the Adler Planetarium, and the University of Minnesota.

The Young Researcher

bfell3 — 2026-01-15 14:53:01 UTC

Peer reviewed academic journal hosted by RSGC, an open-access, multidisciplinary journal dedicated to publishing original academic research by secondary school students.

OCAD Summer Workshops in Toronto

bfell3 — 2026-01-15 18:21:14 UTC

🇨🇦 5-day in-studio, hands-on workshops tailored for aspiring artists and designers who are considering post-secondary creative studies or developing their portfolios and want to experience university-level art education, build skills, and get a taste of campus life at OCAD U.

Early application deadline: March 1, 2026

Regular application deadline: May 4, 2026

Emily Carr Summer Institute for Teens

bfell3 — 2026-01-15 18:23:59 UTC

🇨🇦 Two-week + one month summer camps at Canada's west coast premier school for art + design.

Early application deadline: February 28, 2026

Rolling Admission

Haliburton School of Art and Design

bfell3 — 2026-01-15 18:27:51 UTC

🇨🇦 intensive week-long summer programs in visual arts, ceramics, jewellery, and more for artists and makers of all skill levels.

Applications open March 3, 2026, rolling admission

Canadian Computing Competition (CCC)

bfell3 — 2026-01-15 20:44:25 UTC

Coding/Algorithms (Junior & Senior levels). Watch Edsby or talk to Mr Gordon to get prep materials and be registered by February 5, 2026

Competition date: February 18, 2026

LCS Bushcraft Adventures

bfell3 — 2026-01-20 21:17:24 UTC

🇨🇦 Get hands-on with the wild! Build real outdoor skills like fire-making, shelter-building, and foraging while exploring LCS’s 315-acre forested campus.

Rolling application.

LCS Outdoor Leadership

bfell3 — 2026-01-20 21:23:48 UTC

🇨🇦 Go beyond the OE classroom. This program pushes experienced LCS students into real leadership roles through expedition-style learning, peer mentorship, and high-challenge outdoor scenarios. Students refine decision-making, risk management, and leadership under pressure—turning outdoor skills into confidence, character, and impact.

Rolling admission.

LCS Waterfront Adventures

bfell3 — 2026-01-20 21:29:52 UTC

🇨🇦 Learn advanced skills in canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, and sailing. Make the most of the 7000 feet of waterfront at LCS.

Rolling Admission

Neuchatel Junior College

bfell3 — 2026-01-22 20:02:27 UTC

🇨🇭 Live in Switzerland, travel Europe, and earn more Ontario Grade 12 credits to boost your university application. Take new electives and graduate with an enhanced transcript, a global perspective and some amazing adventures.

Occasus creative writing contest

bfell3 — 2026-01-22 20:10:48 UTC

🇨🇦 Contribute your creative writing to Occasus, Western’s undergraduate student literary journal. Poems, flash fiction stories, flash creative nonfiction pieces, etc. Winning entries receive $100, publication, and the issue of the journal in which your poem appears.

Application deadline: February 6, 2026

Summer Company Program

bfell3 — 2026-01-23 13:41:53 UTC

🇨🇦 Be your own boss this summer! Receive up to $3,000 in grants to start a business in the Peterborough area. You will be guided every step of the way from developing a business plan and budget to marketing strategies to launch your business.

Application deadline: March 30, 2026

Bentley University’s Pre-College

bfell3 — 2026-01-23 15:00:05 UTC

🇺🇸 Courses in business analytics, marketing, cybersecurity, coding, social entrepreneurship. Work on hands-on projects and learn from experienced Bentley instructors

Rolling application

Inspirit AI

bfell3 — 2026-01-23 17:07:04 UTC

🌐 Learn fundamental AI concepts and tools and complete a mentor-led socially impactful AI project in a domain of interest such as healthcare, finance, psychology, art, among others. Taught by Stanford and MIT graduate students with significant AI expertise. No programming experience needed.

Rolling Admission

Psychology Students Youth Competition (PSYC)

bfell3 — 2026-01-31 15:03:40 UTC

🇨🇦 A written psychology exam covering areas like cognitive, social, developmental, and biological psychology. Plus a team case study presentation judged by students and faculty — work with classmates to research and present.

Registration opens in fall.

Event: December 6, 2025 at York University in Toronto

Find Your Way: Walk the Spanish Camino

bfell3 — 2026-01-31 15:24:33 UTC

🇪🇸 Spanish language classes (from beginner to advanced), cultural homestay and walk parts of the Camino de Santiago — one of Europe’s oldest pilgrimage routes. Ideal for students interested in history, language, culture, and experiential learning.

Application deadline: March 31, 2026

Program Dates: June 8-28, 2026

Ross Mathematics Program

bfell3 — 2026-02-02 14:47:44 UTC

🇺🇸 Experience rigorous mathematical thinking beyond the classroom, build problem-solving and proof skills, prepare for future math competitions or advanced university studies. Five weeks connecting with other math-enthusiastic peers on a US college campus.

Application deadline: March 8 2026

Nottingham Trent University Architecture program

bfell3 — 2026-02-23 23:42:21 UTC

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 One week of creative thinking with an emphasis on sustainability and techniques used by architects and architecture students.

This UK enrichment course can count as your Gold DofE Residential Award.