Seminars held online throughout the school year, and in person on July 22-25, 2026
Launched in 2021, the John Witherspoon Fellows program is an invitation only program launched in the Fall of 2021 with an inaugural cohort of twenty high school students of exceptional character with the courage to think for themselves in search of the truth.
Each cohort will consist of high school juniors and seniors, with juniors eligible for a second year of the Fellowship. Typically, invitations will be extended to students who participated in Witherspoon’s Moral Life and the Classical Tradition summer seminar, or who have participated in programming with Witherspoon’s affiliates, and who receive a nomination to the Fellows Program by the instructors.
During the academic year, fellows study with Witherspoon faculty in a series of online lectures and seminars on topics such as virtue and morality, bioethics, and political theory. The Program culminates in an in-person intensive summer seminar in Princeton or Philadelphia.
Participants will learn from accomplished teachers, scholars, and public intellectuals with opportunities for mentorship by Witherspoon staff. There is no financial cost to participate in the Fellowship, and all housing and board, instruction, and study materials are provided free of charge. To remain in the program, Fellows must attend at least 80% of sessions, be prepared to actively participate, and demonstrate collegiality. Fellows are responsible for the cost of their travel to summer seminars, with limited scholarships available to those with demonstrated financial need.
PROJECTED COURSE OF STUDIES
The John Witherspoon Fellowship selects its participants in a closed nomination process. If you’re interested in becoming a fellow, you should consider applying to the Witherspoon Forum or the Moral Life and the Classical Tradition summer seminar. For more information about this seminar, email R. J. Snell at rsnell@winst.org.
