Our Summer Academy offers a unique opportunity to study health policy in a way that highlights the role and importance of markets and freedom in healthcare. The program is open to college students and graduate students of all majors, as well as recent graduates and self-starters of comparable age who are forging their own educational path in life.

Over the course of the program, participants (whom we call our summer fellows) will explore and integrate material from health policy, political economy, the history of medicine, the medical humanities, and other disciplines. The program is reading-intensive, giving students exposure to classic readings while connecting those ideas to contemporary issues and problems in the field of health policy.

The program is designed for intellectually curious students who are eager to think deeply about the forces that shape American healthcare. Through small-group discussions, intensive seminars, and engagement with faculty and guest experts, students will sharpen their ability to analyze policy arguments, interpret historical developments, and articulate their own ideas with clarity and rigor. The readings that we assign and discuss include those from market-oriented figures such as Mises, Hayek, Rand, and Buchanan, as well as articles from the health policy literature that are simply important for other reasons.

While the Center for Modern Health is solidly pro-market in its philosophy, the program is open to both seasoned free-market fans as well as the "free-market curious." We emphasize a spirit of open inquiry and constructive debate, encouraging participants to question assumptions, and develop a richer understanding of both the promise and the challenges associated with advocating for market-oriented policy reform.

One goal of the program is to help students move from absorbing ideas to articulating and defending them in public-facing ways. In addition to intensive reading and discussion, fellows work on developing the practical skills needed to contribute thoughtfully to real-world policy debates.

As part of the program, each student selects a health policy topic on which to write an op-ed, with guidance from faculty to help refine the question, clarify the argument, and situate it within the broader policy landscape. Students receive feedback on outlines and drafts, with an emphasis on analytical rigor, intellectual honesty, and persuasive clarity.

The writing component of the program is designed to mirror the kinds of work fellows may be asked to do in think tanks, advocacy organizations, or professional settings. Strong pieces that meet our editorial standards and have alignment with CMH's positions may be considered for publication through the Center for Modern Health or affiliated outlets, giving students an opportunity not only to develop their skills, but also to add a publication to their work portfolio.

Students also get a chance to participate in a team debate about a current issue in health policy. At the start of the program, a debate topics will be presented to the entire cohort. Two opposing teams will be made. Over the course of the program, the two teams will work on their case. On the final night of the program, a debate will be held between the two teams that is recorded and open to the public.

By the end of the program, participants will have a deeper understanding of how to translate complex ideas into clear arguments, engage opposing views charitably, and write with the discipline required for public policy discourse.

The Summer Academy is designed primarily for college students and graduate students, as well as young recent graduates who are intellectually curious and motivated to think seriously about the future of American healthcare. Many fellows are considering careers in medicine, healthcare, public policy, research, or related fields, though prior coursework in health policy or economics is not required. You can read about our past participants here: Meet Our Summer Fellows.

We welcome applications from students with non-traditional backgrounds, including those who have pursued independent study, taken time away from formal education, or followed unconventional professional paths. What matters most is a demonstrated willingness to engage carefully with complex ideas, participate actively in discussion, and approach disagreement with intellectual humility and rigor. Because the program is intensive and discussion-driven, we look for students who are prepared to commit fully to the experience and to contribute thoughtfully to a small, highly engaged cohort.

Applicants should be residents of the United States and must be at least 18 years old by the day the program begins. In limited cases, we may consider exceptionally strong applicants from outside the United States, particularly if they have secured funding that can support their participation. Non-U.S. candidates should reach out to us first before applying.

The Summer Academy takes place in Hanover, New Hampshire, a small New England college town situated along the Connecticut River and surrounded by the Upper Valley region. Hanover is home to Dartmouth College. It is approximately a two-hour drive northwest of Boston, Massachusetts, and travel to the area is relatively easy by bus via the Dartmouth Coach from both Boston and New York City.

The setting is intentionally removed from major urban centers, creating an environment conducive to sustained conversation and intellectual immersion while also offering the opportunity for relaxation and contemplation. Students stay in on-campus accommodations and generally won't need access to a car during the program.

Schedule-permitting, the program may include a group visit to Milton and Rose Friedman's nearby summer home "Capitaf." Typically we have an evening program of dinner and discussion, while enjoying expansive views of the surrounding countryside.

Students accepted into the Summer Academy receive free tuition, room, and board. Students are responsible for the cost of their travel to and from the program. We are happy to give advice about what travel options are likely to work the best and be the most affordable.

Because the size of the program is intentionally small and spaces are limited, we encourage interested students to apply as soon as they see the application go live, which will be sometime in March. There is no fee to apply, and the application is short and streamlined. If you are looking for an opportunity to think deeply, challenge your assumptions, and participate in a focused community of inquiry, we invite you to submit an application and join us in New Hampshire this summer.

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