Emerging Leaders Program - Leadership Development Internship
The Acton Emerging Leaders Program is an 8-week leadership development internship in Grand Rapids, MI. The program brings together a cohort of student leaders from across the nation and globe for a transformative experience. During the summer, Emerging Leaders will gain professional experience, grow their network, and go deeper into the ideas of a free and virtuous society.
Who: Current Undergraduate & Graduate Students.
When: June 5th - July 30th, 2025
Stipend: Each domestic participant will receive a $4000 stipend. (Payments to international participants will be assessed according to VISA status. In order to receive a stipend, international participants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer.)
Housing: Acton provides housing for each participant at the Grand Valley State University - Downtown Campus.
Travel: Acton will provide flights for international participants. Travel is not covered for domestic participants.
Application Deadline: February 15th, 2025.
Our Internship Program
- Gain professional experience in your area(s) of interest. Whether you are pursuing a degree in theology, philosophy, political science, economics, research, writing, editing, or business administration, the Acton Institute will utilize your educational background and seek to uncover and cultivate your strengths.
- Gain experience in the professional environment of a prominent religiously based think tank. By assisting the staff of the Acton Institute, you will gain a broader perspective on how ideas are disseminated in the nonprofit sector. Through conducting research, developing educational programs, and establishing relationships that will further the Institute's mission objectives, you will build practical skills that will serve you well in your future career endeavors.
- Increase your own understanding of the relationship between religion and liberty. You will be given opportunities to attend Acton Institute programs and engage in discussions that will challenge your perspectives and strengthen your grasp of economic, philosophical, and theological ideas. Emerging Leaders will participate in 20+ graduate style seminars with affiliate and guest scholars. Past scholars have included Rev. Robert Sirico, Dr. Anne Bradley, Dr. George Nash, and Dr. Anthony Bradley. We desire for all Emerging Leaders Program participants to leave their time with us better equipped to make a moral defense for free enterprise.
- Emerging Leaders will assist staff and participate in our weeklong Acton University conference the week of June 23-26, 2025, an international conference of learning and discussion, with over 800 leaders from 80+ countries attending every year. During this week, Emerging Leaders are able to attend lectures and network with more than 60 lecturers from around the world.
Application Requirements
Applicants applying to The Acton Institute Emerging Leaders Program are required to submit the following:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Short writing sample reflecting your perspective on The Acton Institute’s mission
- Letter of recommendation (from either a current or past college professor)
- Online application
For more information and to apply go to https://www.acton.org/elp or contact ELP@acton.org with any questions about the application or the Emerging Leaders Program.
For more information about the Acton Institute please go to https://www.acton.org.
Department Placements Available
Each participant is paired with a department and works directly with the Director and staff. As a part of the application process, we ask each applicant to list their top three preferred department placements. Department placements available are as follows:
Programs & Education, Development, Research, Marketing/Communications, Media, Accounting/Bookshop, Executive, the Center for Social Flourishing, The Collins Center for Abrahamic Heritage. For more information about each department, please visit https://www.acton.org/elp.