Barnard’s Athena Summer Innovation Institute in Collaboration with the Athena Center for Leadership

The Athena Summer Innovation Institute is an intensive, 3-week boot camp that provides students with the practical skills and knowledge they need to develop ideas that will make a difference in the world. Students will work in teams to create a new venture — start-up businesses, non-profit organizations, or advocacy campaigns — that have the power to disrupt traditional ways of doing things and create lasting change.

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Participants in the Athena Summer Innovation Institute should be creative, motivated, and have an entrepreneurial spirit. You don’t need to have a business idea (in fact, it’s good if you come in with a clean slate!), but you should be interested in developing ideas for products, services, and experiences that have the potential to challenge the status quo and create social good. You should be genuinely enthusiastic about working collaboratively to learn more about the startup journey and what it takes to be a member of a founding team. 

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What You Will Do: 

• Attend engaging classes on product ideation and development, customer research, branding, marketing, startup finances and more: key topics necessary for any innovator or entrepreneur.
• Work on an overarching team project to design a venture, culminating in a final pitch presentation in front of your peers.
• Meet regularly with our seasoned Mentor-in-Residence who will provide targeting venture advice and help you refine your elevator pitch.
• Practice your public speaking and presentation skills with support from Barnard’s Speaking Fellows.
• Entrepreneurial site visits for a first-hand look at how start-ups run and existing companies stay innovative.

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• Young entrepreneurial women at least 14 years of age can apply.
• Completing academically rigorous coursework with strong grades
• Well-rounded: excelling in the classroom and in extra-curriculars, volunteer positions, after school jobs, and community engagement.
• Ready to learn and grow in a community of diverse young women.

• Priority deadline: February 10, 2026
• All other applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so apply early

• Online Application Form
• Unofficial High School Transcript
• List of Extracurricular Activities
• Recommendations 
• 500 Word Statement of Purpose
• Application Fee

• Decisions are made on a rolling basis starting mid January. You should receive a decision within 15 business days of the office receiving a completed application.

Barnard’s Pre-College Programs offer a limited amount of need-based financial aid each year.

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International applicants are not eligible to apply for financial aid.

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Students who wish to be considered for financial aid must submit both the Pre-College Program application and the financial aid form by February 9, 2026.

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The financial aid form is embedded within the program application and becomes available when an applicant indicates their intent to apply for financial aid.

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Applicants will then have two weeks after the February 9 deadline to upload all required financial aid documentation through their application portal. Financial aid applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

• Applications open in December, and the application fee is waived for applications submitted before the priority deadline in February