Do you have what it takes to innovate? Enhance your abilities in entrepreneurship, leadership, and global citizenship as part of an international network of emerging leaders from across the U.S. and around the world at the Iacocca Global Entrepreneurship Intensive.
IGEI is an immersive, hands-on program that combines experiential learning and intercultural connection. After completing the program, IGEI graduates can:
- evaluate the potential of ideas to become successful innovations
- create functional business/marketing plans and compelling pitches
- navigate cultural differences and collaborate to succeed as a team
The 2024 program runs June 23 to July 20, 2024.
We are no longer accepting applications for IGEI 2024. Please check back in October for the opportunity to apply for the 2025 program year.
How It Works
Develop and test your design thinking, entrepreneurship, and global leadership skills
Devise, refine, and present solutions for real world problems faced by U.S. or international client companies
Work within a culturally diverse team of high school students (ages 15-17) from around the world and form friendships that will last a lifetime
Visit area businesses and learn from entrepreneurs and CEOs sharing real-life stories of successes and lessons learned
Program Details
The Iacocca Global Entrepreneurship Intensive includes:
- Entrepreneurial design challenges, business hackathon, and team projects that develop solutions for U.S. or international client organizations
- Deep-dive focus on an area of interest, such as sustainability, population health, or business, led by Lehigh University faculty
- Core sessions in sustainable design, social entrepreneurship, disruptive leadership, and business ethics
- Workshops in negotiation, leadership development, CliftonStrengths by Gallup, and public speaking
- Collaboration with Lehigh’s College of Business, College of Health, Sustainability Office, Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation, Lehigh@NasdaqCenter, and Creative Inquiry
- Cultural and social activities, local and regional field trips, and connections with university students and Lehigh campus community members
The 2024 program runs June 23 to July 20, 2024.
The program fee is $5995. This cost includes program fees, room and board, instructional materials, field trips, and all curriculum-related activities.
Questions? Contact us at gesummer@lehigh.edu.
We are no longer accepting applications for IGEI 2024. Please check back in October for the opportunity to apply for the 2025 program year.
How to Apply
Step 1
Click on the “Apply Now” button above to complete a brief survey that will confirm your eligibility to attend the IGEI program, let you choose the application deadline that is best for you and your family, and submit the names and contact information of three teachers who have agreed to write letters of recommendation. Consider the application cycle options described below:
- The Sponsored Admission Deadline is January 15, 2024. Applicants should choose this application cycle if they want to take advantage of special Early Bird pricing or if they wish to apply for need-based financial assistance from the Iacocca Institute. Our financial resources are limited and we cannot guarantee to meet the demonstrated need of all accepted participants. Early Bird pricing is available to all applicants who submit by January 15, regardless of their family’s financial status.
- The Priority and International Admission Deadline is February 12, 2024. More spaces remain available at this point in the application cycle, meaning there is less competition for admission. We strongly suggest that international applicants choose the February admissions cycle due to the extra time needed for visas and flight arrangements.
- The Regular Admission Deadline is March 11, 2024. Applicants submitting through this application cycle have more time to prepare their applications, but are competing for the few remaining spaces available after the first two cycles. Once all available spaces are filled with qualified applicants, additional admitted applicants will be placed on a waitlist and notified if a space opens.
Step 2
Once your eligibility is verified, applicants will receive an email with a link to the IGEI admissions application. Each eligible applicant receives a unique link, so make sure to save both the email and the link! The admissions application includes basic questions about the applicant, their family, and their school, and requires applicants to upload a resume of extracurricular activities and a 1-2 page statement of interest, detailing why the applicant wants to attend the IGEI program, what they hope to gain from their participation, and what they expect to contribute as a participant. All materials must be submitted by the application cycle deadline chosen in the preliminary survey. If an application is received after the deadline, it will automatically be included for review in the next cycle. Applications received after March 11, 2024 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis should space become available in the program.
Program Eligibility
Academically talented U.S. and international high school students who are current sophomores or juniors at the time of the application deadline may apply. Participants may not be younger than 15 or older than 17 at any point during the program dates of June 23 - July 20, 2024.
Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement, an interest in entrepreneurship, and a record of leadership and service activities. A selection committee of Lehigh University faculty and staff and business leaders reviews applications for academic achievement and commitment, leadership initiative, ability to contribute to a living/learning community, and excellent written expression.
CAMPUS LIFE
IGEI participants stay in Lehigh University housing under the supervision of program guides and a residence life coordinator. Rooms are double occupancy, with shared bathrooms on single-sex floors, in co-ed dorms. Self-serve laundry facilities are available for participant use.
Participants will enjoy food from campus dining services, area restaurants, and dorm kitchens. Dietary restrictions (medical and religious) and preferences (where possible) will be accommodated.
Pre-college exposure, including admissions information, financial aid guidance, and college major/career exploration, is included in the IGEI curriculum.