Our culture confuses “machine intelligence” with human intelligence, “AI companions” with friendship, multiple “genders” with men and women, ARTs with procreation, abstract rights with law’s natural foundations. In each of these examples we see an emerging replacement of the real with simulacra.

The 2026 John Paul II Institute’s annual Summer Fellowship “Technology, Gender, and Culture” will discuss the implications of this development for the future of humanity.

The Fellowship will include lectures, ample time for discussion, cultural events around Washington D.C., and social time among students and with faculty.

The Fellowship will take place May 26-30, at the John Paul II Institute, on the campus of The Catholic University of America. Applications are welcome from college sophomores, juniors, seniors and recent graduates in all majors.

Application

Prospective Summer Fellows should complete the application form by March 31. (After deadline, we will accept applications until all the spots are filled.) Acceptance notifications will be sent by April 10.

Costs

All Summer Fellows will receive a scholarship that covers the cost of housing in the dorms of The Catholic University of America, meals, and tuition. Participants will be responsible for their own travel to Washington, DC, public transportation expenses, and a $200 registration fee. A limited number of scholarships is available to assist applicants in financial need with the cost of registration.

Questions may be directed to Elena Martin at [email protected] or 202-526-3799.

I had a great week participating in the Institute’s Summer Fellowship! Our seminars covered an impressive range of topics relevant to the theme of the fellowship, and faculty expertly guided us through content in a way that was fruitful regardless of whether seminar topics were familiar or unfamiliar to students. The Institute’s faculty and staff were not only competent but hospitable, clearly demonstrating Christ’s love in fostering a warm communal feel to the week, especially in the non-academic but equally fruitful activities. I highly recommend the fellowship to anyone interested! (Josiah Hasbrouck, 2025 Fellow).

The JPII fellowship was an unparalleled opportunity to build a solid foundation in Catholic thought, explore contemporary topics of technology and identity, and to take a big bite into culture and philosophy. I most enjoyed the professor’s ability to engage in earnest and broad discussions. The fellowship, beginning with a tour of the Shrine to understand more fully the life of JPII, sets a loving tone. And through this gradual understanding of the value of the utter freedom of the human person in love, according to one’s nature, a whole new worldview of charity and belonging unfolds at your feet. This fellowship completely nourished me intellectually, spiritually, and through love—the love the professors have for their work. (Lauren McGuinn, 2025 Fellow).