Apply to Attend a Summer Educator Institute at the National Constitution Center

Applications are now open for the 2026 Educator Institutes at the National Constitution Center! We invite you to join fellow teachers from across the country for a weeklong, residential professional learning experience that blends rich constitutional content, innovative pedagogy, and a supportive community of peers.

Next summer will be an extraordinary moment to learn in Philadelphia, as the National Constitution Center proudly serves as an anchor of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. In the very city where the Declaration of Independence was signed, history becomes both shrine and classroom—offering an inspiring backdrop for deep study and meaningful dialogue.

We are excited to offer four institutes in 2026:

• Sunday, June 14–Friday, June 19: The Legacy of the Declaration of Independence
• Sunday, June 21–Friday, June 26: Principles of America at 250
• Sunday, July 12–Friday, July 17: Intellectual Inspirations of the Constitution
• Monday, July 20–Friday, July 24: Landmark Supreme Court Cases

The institutes are open to educators working with grades 5–12 across public, charter, independent, and parochial schools. These Sunday–Friday residential programs include a stipend to offset travel and lodging, as well as select meals. With a balance of structured sessions, collaborative discussions, and informal networking opportunities, the institutes offer a transformative professional learning experience.

Applications are open now through Friday, January 23, 2026. Notification regarding application status will be sent no later than Friday, February 20, 2026. Institutes are free to attend, but a successful application is required.

We hope you will join us in Philadelphia for this remarkable opportunity to deepen your constitutional knowledge and enrich your classroom practice.

Summer Intensive: Deep Dive into the History of the U.S. Constitution

Our weeklong summer intensive—designed for social studies educators who currently work in grade 6–12 classrooms and have an interest in learning more about the U.S. Constitution—is also now open for applications.

Presented by the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute, the National Constitution Center, and the Organization of American Historians, the summer intensive offers the opportunity to hear from constitutional scholars, legal experts, and historians as they discuss key components of constitutional history and ask questions about relevant topics today.

Educators will explore the National Constitution Center’s exhibition spaces and visit cultural institutions and historic sites around Old City contemplating meaningful ways to bring those experiences back to the classroom.

Dates: Sunday, June 7–Friday, June 12

Cost: The Sandra Day O’Connor Institute will provide a stipend to cover the cost of travel and lodging for all participants, as well as breakfasts, lunches, and dinners on both the opening and closing nights. Ticket costs associated with visiting cultural institutions will also be covered.

Application Deadline: January 23

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