Join us for Global Scholar 2026 – in Washington, DC, Atlanta, or Online.

This isn’t just a summer program. It’s a launchpad for youth ready to lead with purpose in a world that needs their voice now more than ever. Global Scholar offers a unique blend of civic learning, creative strategy, and community power-building designed by and for youth changemakers. Through dynamic Action Labs, intimate sessions with global leaders, and real-time campaign work, participants sharpen their skills and vision to lead boldly – not someday, but right now.

What Makes Us Different?

Global Scholar is the only summer leadership experience that pairs global learning with real-world impact – all through a youth-led, equity-first model. Whether building a campaign, leading a roundtable, or shaping the State of Global Youth Report, Scholars don’t just talk about change. They make it.

What You’ll Do:

Explore and Address the World’s Toughest Challenges
Learn directly from youth leaders, diplomats, public figures and movement leaders tackling today’s biggest issues. Our 2026 guest speakers include youth voices on the front lines of change.

Build Next-gen Leadership Skills
Our Action Labs blend systems thinking, strategic storytelling, global citizenship, and emotional intelligence to prepare you to lead with clarity, courage, and care.

Launch your Personal Changemaker Journey
Explore your identity as a global citizen, build real-world campaigns, and deepen your sense of purpose. You’ll leave with a capstone project, new mentors, and a peer network that has your back.

Explore History to Shape the Future
Whether walking the halls of Capitol Hill, standing at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement in Montgomery, or organizing online across continents – you’ll step into a legacy of youth leadership and shape what comes next.

Connect Deeply. Lead Boldly.
In a time of rising disconnection, we design programs that center trust, compassion, and shared power. Youth aren’t guests here, they’re co-creators. You’ll leave with more than just inspiration – you’ll leave with a plan.

Summer 2026 Sessions 

We offer our flagship global leadership accelerator program in Washington DC, Atlanta GA, and Online. All of our Global Scholars will have the choice to craft a final project or participate in the State of Global Youth Report team as their capstone experience. Here’s our summer 2025 line-up:

Session 1: Washington, DC. Sun June 28-Sun July 5. American University
Session 2: Virtual. Mon July 6 – Fri July 11. Online.
Session 3: Atlanta GA (with travel to Montgomery AL). Sun July 13-Fri July 20. Emory University

Why Now?

The world is facing an unprecedented crisis of trust. Institutions are faltering. Youth anxiety and loneliness are rising. But young people aren’t backing down – they’re rising to the challenge. At AMP, we believe that a more just, joyful, and sustainable world depends on putting youth at the center (not the sidelines) of public life.

What You’ll Leave With

• A stronger sense of self and leadership style
• Tools to design, communicate, and scale change
• A national and global peer network
• A completed capstone campaign and/or author credit on AMP’s State of Global Youth Report
• Access to year-round leadership opportunities, mentorship, and community

Scholarships & Accessibility

As one of Washington, DC’s longest-running summer leadership programs, Global Scholar is committed to being accessible to families from all backgrounds. We recognize that many families are navigating financial uncertainty, and we believe cost should never be a barrier to opportunity.

As a nonprofit organization, our mission is to reach as many young people as possible with this life-changing experience, not to maximize profit. Our program fees are significantly lower than comparable programs, and last year we awarded nearly $50,000 in scholarship support to ensure more students could participate.

Learn more on our Application and FAQ pages.