Scholarly Initiatives
Academy For Civic Education And Democracy
Overview
The ACED program is designed to foster the next generation of civic leaders. During the Summer, as undergraduate students immerse themselves in Washington, DC for a profound and experiential learning experience. Students participate in an accredited course that provides them with the chance to explore history both within and beyond the classroom.
Program Overview
The Academy for Civic Education and Democracy (ACED) convenes a new cohort in June 2025. ACED is RRI’s in-person 8-week summer program in Washington, DC. Classes take place at the Ronald Reagan Institute building and are accredited by George Washington University. The ACED program fosters the next generation of civic leaders. During the summer, undergraduate students immerse themselves in Washington, DC for a profound and experiential learning experience. Students participate in an accredited course that gives them the chance to explore history both within and beyond the classroom. Every week, they interact with influential figures from diverse sectors and put their skills, knowledge, and network into practice through internships. This unique opportunity in Washington, DC empowers students to begin their own leadership journey with confidence and tangible experiences.
Tentative Summer 2026 dates:
June 7-July 31
Application Deadlines:
November 1 - Early
December 1 - Priority
January 15 - Final
Cost & Scholarship
$8,450 includes the 3 credit core course accredited by GWU, housing for the entire program, internship placement, various programmatic costs.
All students are eligible and encouraged to apply for scholarship as RRI provides an average scholarship of $3,500 to offset the cost of the program. Students apply for the scholarship during the ACED admission process.
What We’re Looking For In A Candidate
The ACED admissions team is looking for students who are engaged on campus, interested in learning to work across differences, and have a desire to hone their leadership skills and expand their potential.
Minimum student qualifications include:
Must be 18 to Apply
Must be pursuing an undergraduate degree
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Download our informational flyer
Sample Weekly Schedule
Sunday:
Free Day
Monday:
Internship: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday:
Breakfast Speaker: 8:00am - 9:30am
Internships: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Elective Option 1
Wednesday:
Internships: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Core Course: 4:30pm - 7:00pm
Elective Option 1
Thursday:
Internships: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Elective Option 2
Core Course
Elective Experiential
Afternoon Programming
Saturday:
Free Day (Most Weeks)