Mansfield Civics Institute
Applications for The Mansfield Civics Institute at the University of Montana are now open! Apply here by March, 16, 2026.
The Mansfield Civics Institute at the University of Montana is an intensive two-week residential program designed to build civic knowledge, critical thinking, and democratic engagement among high school students across the state of Montana. Thanks to generous funding from the US Department of Education, it is entirely free of charge. Team-taught by history professor Scott Arcenas and students from the University of Montana and Stanford University, the Institute focuses on foundational principles of American democracy, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, federalism, the rule of law, and freedom of speech.
The immersive academic experience is complemented by extracurricular activities that foster community, reflection, and fun: students live in residence halls, share meals, and enjoy excursions that reinforce civic themes, including community service projects, visits to historic sites, and leadership-building activities. By providing both intellectual rigor and personal connection, the Institute seeks to inspire long-term civic engagement and strengthen the pipeline from Montana high schools to higher education.
The Institute is a partnership between the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center, the Stanford Civics Initiative, the Center for Revitalizing American Institutions at the Hoover Institution, and the Democracy Studies Program at the University of Montana.
Program Information
Dates: July 6-17, 2026
Eligibility: current high school sophomores and juniors
Location: University of Montana Campus in Missoula
For more information, please contact Program Officer Annie Zavitz at Annie.Zavitz@mso.umt.edu or Professor Scott Arcenas at Scott.Arcenas@mso.umt.edu