Applications open January 2027
Become an Athenaeum Fellow
We are looking for curious, motivated students ready to do serious intellectual work. If that sounds like you, we would like to hear from you.
Applications open January 2027
Express interest now to be notified when your program opens
Cohorts are capped at six students and places are allocated on a rolling basis.
Express interestWho we are looking for
The program is for students who want to think
The Athenaeum is designed for students in their final three years of secondary school — typically Years 10, 11, and 12, or equivalent — who are genuinely curious about ideas and ready to do serious intellectual work. There is no GPA requirement and no grade transcript required.
School year
Years 10, 11, or 12 — or equivalent
Location
Open to students worldwide
Academic requirement
No GPA cutoff — admission is holistic, weighing curiosity and motivation alongside academic record
Prior research experience
Not required — we start from the beginning
The application
A holistic evaluation, designed to reveal curiosity and motivation
The application takes approximately 15 minutes: basic information, your program of interest, your time zone and availability, an upload of your most recent academic record, and one short written response.
The essay question — 200 to 300 words
"Tell us about a question you have been genuinely curious about — in any field, on any topic. It does not need to be related to the program you are applying for. We are interested in how you think, not what you already know."
There is no right answer. We are looking for evidence of genuine intellectual curiosity.
Your most recent report card or transcript is reviewed alongside your essay — there is no GPA cutoff, and a strong essay matters as much as strong grades. Uploading it requires a Google account; if you don't have one, you're welcome to email it to us separately after submitting your application.
How to apply
Four steps
- 01
Submit an expression of interest
Register now to be notified when applications open in January 2027.
- 02
Complete the application
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis — apply early.
- 03
Receive a decision
Within two weeks of a completed application. Successful applicants confirm their place with a $1,500 deposit.
- 04
Confirm your place
We'll be in touch with scheduling details and preparation materials before your cohort begins.
Summer 2027 sessions
Two sessions, six weeks each
Five weeks of class — two 90-minute sessions a week, fifteen contact hours total — followed by a sixth week for Poster Day.
Session A
Summer A
June 14 – July 25, 2027
Class runs June 14–July 18. Poster Day: week of July 19–25.
Session B
Summer B
July 19 – Aug 29, 2027
Class runs July 26–Aug 22. Poster Day: week of Aug 23–29.
Session B's first class runs during Session A's Poster Day week. Session times are scheduled in consultation with your cohort and faculty member once places are confirmed — please indicate your time zone and availability in your application.
Curious what a session actually looks like?
See the full week-by-week timeline and Poster Day on The Fellowship page
Contact us.
To help us best serve your inquiry, we recommend that you first describe the issue you’re having before telling us what you want to achieve. You may also email or call us to make an appointment. Our general response time is one business day.
email@example.com
(555) 555-5555
123 Demo Street
New York, NY 12345